Duck is lethargic and throwing up alot

[nicholastesta430]

Evening,

Our duck was recently seen by a Vet and he told us that all he had was a blood feather. But they gave us antibiotics, pain meds, and vitamins. We were told to use pain meds first then follow up with the antibiotics for 7 days and give vitamins each day. It’s been three days since the vet visit. But, our duck isn’t eating much except all the grasshoppers and worms. He doesn’t want his veggies or anything of that matter. He’s also not quacking at all or making any sounds and he’s looking weaker than the other day, loafing by his bowl of water now barely able to get up sometimes and throwing up a lot. Please help

 

[BelovedBirds]

Evening,

Our duck was recently seen by a Vet and he told us that all he had was a blood feather. But they gave us antibiotics, pain meds, and vitamins. We were told to use pain meds first then follow up with the antibiotics for 7 days and give vitamins each day. It’s been three days since the vet visit. But, our duck isn’t eating much except all the grasshoppers and worms. He doesn’t want his veggies or anything of that matter. He’s also not quacking at all or making any sounds and he’s looking weaker than the other day, loafing by his bowl of water now barely able to get up sometimes and throwing up a lot. Please help

Pain meds, antibiotics and vitamins just for a blood feather? Was the feather removed? Has it healed? Is this vet an exotics or avian veterinarian, or a general dog/cat vet?

You say he only eats treats and not his veggies- veggies are also just treats. Does he not have any duck food? It's important to give him a balanced diet and veggies and bugs are not sufficient.
Does he have access to clean fresh drinking water and grit? Grit is essential to aid digestion and grind up all the food. Otherwise blockages in the digestive system are a possibility, which could be an explanation for the food coming back up.

Is there anything else you observe from him? What is his poop like?

 

[nicholastesta430]

He is barely eating his Dumor Duck Feed that he usually eats as well along with all veggies, insects and so on throughout the day. His poop for the majority of the day yesterday was mostly clear liquid. He did have some fecal matter in it due to eating the grasshoppers when he walks around with us in the backyard. But he has slowly stop eating those as well. He is currently walking and staying standing at night and trying to throw up after drinking his clean water we give him. He’s also not quacking AT ALL. He hasn’t been excited or quacking for almost two days now. Basically quiet, so definitely not him at all. I don’t recall giving the grit feed, just Dumor Duck feed since we’ve had him. Of course all other food or snacks throughout the day as well for the past two years and he’s been fine since until now.

 

[nicholastesta430]

Also the doctor that saw him was a regular Vet dog/cat with Avian experience. The exotics vet wasn’t in. We are hoping to take him today and see if there’s anything else they missed. The vet took x-rays and everything and a fecal test and everything to them looked fine and negative for any parasites if they checked for all. We are just completely out of sorts. Thank you for replying. We will try the grit starting today since I don’t think he’s ever had that so it’ll be hard to get him to eat that I foresee.

 

[Yardmom]

If he has been out on ground he may be getting some grit on his own. Where do you keep him most of the time? Has he been in a different place now that he is not feeling well? Do you have other ducks? How old is he?

 

[nicholastesta430]

No other ducks, even though we’ve been wanting to get a few more, but our “Quacky” just fell into our lap as we found him two years ago behind a BBQ almost getting eaten by dogs at our house. So we saved him raised him and he’s now my Emotional Support Animal and he’s truly a domesticated duck. He follows us everywhere and sleeps with us inside at night. He goes outside with us majority of the day or we let him outside and he swims in his pool or walks around the backyard since we have an 1 1/2 acres and sifts through the grass and so on. But lately towards the evening yesterday he stopped walking out into the grass with us and just wanted to sit on the patio. We are really trying to get him better.

 

[Yardmom]

Was his behavior normal before going to the vet? Is he still getting all the things the vet prescribed?

 

[nicholastesta430]

Before going to vet no, his quacking was hoarse, and he was sluggish getting around. But he was eating and walking with us out in the yard. Now, he is getting the antibiotics in the morning and night along with the vitamins in his water and he’s still not getting any better. He’s still really quiet and reluctant to walk outside and eat anything. The blood feather they found was taken care of but this I don’t think has anything to do with the feather. It’s something we can’t figure out. He’s outside now and still not wanting to walk around and get in the yard or go in the pool. All he does now is just drink water and loaf by his water bowl. We clean it out every time he’s finishes drinking it to make sure it’s clean and add new duck feed as well to try and get him to eat some.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Also the doctor that saw him was a regular Vet dog/cat with Avian experience. The exotics vet wasn’t in. We are hoping to take him today and see if there’s anything else they missed. The vet took x-rays and everything and a fecal test and everything to them looked fine and negative for any parasites if they checked for all. We are just completely out of sorts. Thank you for replying. We will try the grit starting today since I don’t think he’s ever had that so it’ll be hard to get him to eat that I foresee.

I'd start offering the grit, as that is necessary in digestion. If he has limited access to the outdoors, if there are days he stays in, or he only goes out briefly sometimes, then he may not be able to forage for grit adequately. And if so I'd be a little concerned about a blockage in his system that could be causing the vomiting. Does his crop empty, or does it feel full or swollen?

What are the vitamins that the vet gave to you? I would potentially try supplementing Vitamin B, specifically niacin. Couldn't hurt to try. A decrease in appetite and increase in lethargy is often associated with niacin deficiencies. But this wouldn't really explain the inability to keep food down.

This could be a combination of problems and that could explain the different symptoms. I'd also worry that he is lonely. If this duck is alone then he could be depressed or becoming depressed. It's a possibility, but not my main concern. I'd just express that ducks are social beings and once he is better, finding him companionship would be really good.

Ultimately this is all just my thoughts and a bit of brain-storming. If you could get him to an exotics or avian specialist vet, that would be the best thing.

I hope you get answers and that he feels better soon!

 

[nicholastesta430]

Thank you so much everyone for all the help. We have currently taken him back into the vet and he’s seeing the Avian Exotic doctor right now. We bought the grit and his crop is flat currently. Not full prior to us handing him over to the vet. So that’s ok. He’s getting more x-rays and so on today to see if there’s anything else missed and some more testing on fecal matter. Thank you again and we will keep everyone updated. Again thank you all For your help.