Duck resuscitation

[mrdelurk]

I am still coming to terms with this, but it appears that I succeeded in (briefly) bringing our oldest female duck back to life yesterday with mouth-to-beak. She already ceased breathing, her eye stopped blinking, there were no reflexes, nothing... so my wife started pumping the duck's torso, while I started blowing air into the duck's beak the way I was taught to do for humans on the First Aid CPR course. We won't give our pet Grandma-Duck up without a fight! And lo and behold, after a while a faint breath started again... the duck started blinking again... raised her head up... wiggled her tail weakly, "I'm okay" style... no scared quacking as would be usual, just a totally surprised look in her eyes, a sort of otherworldly smile. As if to say, "Wait, did you just save my life?"

The miracle didn't last long, after 10 minutes a new bout of spasms shook the bird again, from which we did not succeed in reviving her. It died, for good, though the body never hardened into rigor mortis, even overnight; she remained supple, totally relaxed. A thoroughly unusual experience.

Does anyone have a picture where exactly one is supposed to press on the duck to restart the heartbeat? (I think my wife pressed all over the torso.) Just so that we can be even more successful the next time... thank you in advance

 

[Miss Lydia]

How awesome you were able to bring her back even for a short time.
I'm so sorry you lost her.

I can't think of anyone besides @casportpony that might be able to help. I hope she sees this tag.

 

[Isaac 0]

Chest compressions can be given to the sternum per 60/80 per minute to help recirculate air through the lungs. Other literature suggest five puffs of air, followed by ten compressions to the sternum.. The heart is encapsulated under the boney sternum therefor is not responsive to cpr.
https://lafeber.com/vet/cardiopulmonary-cerebral-resuscitation-in-birds/
https://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/cpr.html
Sorry for your loss.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Chest compressions can be given to the sternum per 60/80 per minute to help recirculate air through the lungs. Other literature suggest five puffs of air, followed by ten compressions to the sternum.. The heart is encapsulated under the boney sternum therefor is not responsive to cpr.
https://lafeber.com/vet/cardiopulmonary-cerebral-resuscitation-in-birds/
https://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/cpr.html
Sorry for your loss.
View attachment 3174780

Thank you @Isaac 0

 

[mrdelurk]

Thank you, Isaac.
It's amazing what difference our resuscitation made to the flock. (They were all watching it quietly.)
Now they treat me as one of the flock, even let me touch them. Until now I got respect & they'd move out of the way & skitter away from my hand. Now they come right up to me, and touch me gently. "So you're one of us, just big and bald, eh?"

 

[Wicked Storm]

Thank you, Isaac.
It's amazing what difference our resuscitation made to the flock. (They were all watching it quietly.)
Now they treat me as one of the flock, even let me touch them. Until now I got respect & they'd move out of the way & skitter away from my hand. Now they come right up to me, and touch me gently. "So you're one of us, just big and bald, eh?"

I know how you feel! I have done resuscitation before and it is so tricky, wonderful job! Sorry for your loss though!