Duck panting, video attached

[Fairywoodducks]

Hey all! My duck Emmy has been kept separated from the flock for over a week now for a sprain. She seemed great this morning, laid a very healthy egg, and was her normal sassy self forgaing in the yard. This afternoon, a couple hours after I put them back into their run, I noticed she was panting. She eats a little bit, but seems uninterested treats (kale) and she does take small drinks. I've attached a few videos, one of her panting in the run and another of her in the pool right after. She seems a little better after the pool, but she's shaking and twitching her wings. Did we let her out too soon? Is she just in pain and we let her have too much freedom? It's been like this for a few hours now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have to say how beautiful she is. Does it look like a slight limp? She may have just over done being her first time out. Sprains can take a while to heal. So maybe only a short time out them back to resting that leg along with pool therapy

 

[Fairywoodducks]

I have to say how beautiful she is. Does it look like a slight limp? She may have just over done being her first time out. Sprains can take a while to heal. So maybe only a short time out them back to resting that leg along with pool therapy

Thanks so much!
She seems to be doing better in the pool.
Noticed panting very shortly after putting her back into the run. For water therapy, how long should I keep her in? If I wait until she wants to come out it'll be never. I'm taking her to the vet this week if by tomorrow shes still showing signs of stress.

 

[Fairywoodducks]

She started doing her dunks maybe 10 min into being in the pool. She took herself out (I'm shocked!) and I put her in her own spot separated from everyone (but can still see them). She's preening right now, and I'm hoping lays down and stays off the hurt leg.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How long In the pool depends on how much time you have to wait I’d say at least 10 mins to take pressure off and give her time to move around and use her leg. If you do end up taking her to the vet let us know what they say please.

 

[Anime2lover]

Stress caused panting for my ducks. Whenever I held them to do anything, the stress of not liking being held made them pant. I did still see a limp to, so definitely more of what your already doing I think.

 

[Fairywoodducks]

Stress caused panting for my ducks. Whenever I held them to do anything, the stress of not liking being held made them pant. I did still see a limp to, so definitely more of what your already doing I think.

The panting seemed to go on until I put her to bed. I'm hoping with it being dark and her normal bed with her flock that it helps her relax and lay down. She wouldn't lay down in the run. We did put down some astroturf flooring and then bedding in top of it today after cleaning out the run (it was just bedding before). That was a change that could of caused her to stress and not want to lay down, which would keep weight on the foot. All just theories. I'm hoping that's all it is and her stress goes down in her coop, which is the same. Outside the run, she seemed in pain but not stressed.
I really appreciate the advice.. I hate seeing her like this and everyone on here is so helpful! I really hope we just let her have too much fun this morning and the new flooring is stressing her out.

 

[Fairywoodducks]

She isn't panting this morning, but she is definitely not feeling well. Her leg is very shaky and I can tell she is in pain. She is drinking but will only take a few nibbles of food, she seems very uninterested in it (like we all do when in pain). I did probably an hour with her in the pool this morning and she did forage a little bit (with supervision of course, with little to no walking). She has yet to lay an egg today and I'm worried about the strain that'll put on her. I've made a post before about giving ducks baby aspirin but I just want to make sure I give her the right dosage. She weighs 6.5 lbs. She is going to the vet this week to get xrays and see if there is anything else we should be doing. Should I go ahead and splint the leg? I am unsure where its hurt, whether it's her hip or somewhere on her leg.

 

[Anime2lover]

She isn't panting this morning, but she is definitely not feeling well. Her leg is very shaky and I can tell she is in pain. She is drinking but will only take a few nibbles of food, she seems very uninterested in it (like we all do when in pain). I did probably an hour with her in the pool this morning and she did forage a little bit (with supervision of course, with little to no walking). She has yet to lay an egg today and I'm worried about the strain that'll put on her. I've made a post before about giving ducks baby aspirin but I just want to make sure I give her the right dosage. She weighs 6.5 lbs. She is going to the vet this week to get xrays and see if there is anything else we should be doing. Should I go ahead and splint the leg? I am unsure where its hurt, whether it's her hip or somewhere on her leg.

A splinted immobilized leg can help, downside being that when she does choose to walk, itll be difficult. It wont prevent pain either since it's only ment to help heal the injury.

 

[Fairywoodducks]

I can't get her to eat. She drinks and will forage, but wont eat her greens (kale) or her regular feed (purina flock raiser, with brewers yeast, grit, and oyster shells mixed in). I'm taking her to the vet in Wednesday (first appointment available) and I'm worried about her not eating. She seems very stressed, but definitely relaxes in the pool and play area. She seems uncomfortable (like in pain) but will preen, bathe, and forage. She still won't eat, even if her stress level goes down. Maybe this is more that what it seems? Could she have eaten something while foraging yesterday? What are signs of metal toxicity or a foreign object? As soon as i put her back into her run (I've put a friend in with her, to help with stress) she starts panting and wont lay down. I'm very uncomfortable tube feeding her, but is there anything I can give her to help calm her down? She really needs to relax. I can't leave her out all day, we have so many hawks around and the run is predator proof, unlike their play/pool area. But being in the run for a few hours at a time isn't abnormal, that's how it's always been. How long can she go on just nibbles of food here and there?
Sorry for it being long! I'm just very worried. I lost her hatch mate when she was a duckling and raised Emmy by herself for 2 weeks while we waited for 2 more ducklings to come in and be her flock. I dont have a favorite, but Emmy is so special to us, is the most domestic of the 5, and is the most lovable.