Duckling breathing fast?

[snapcracklepop]

Hey I have a 2 and 1/2 week old pekin duckling and about 2 days ago I noticed that sometimes it will breath faster than usual with short, quick breaths, and occasionally with its mouth slightly open, then at other times it breathes normally . There's no raspy sound or anything and his nostrils seem perfectly clear. Everything else seems fine - it eats and drinks normally, its active and curious, and it poops almost nonstop. I was thinking of maybe getting some vitamins to put in the water, but I'm reluctant to give it anything new without knowing exactly what's going on. Any ideas?

 

[Amiga]

Ducks pant when they are too warm, or nervous.

What is the temperatures? What is the environment like?

 

[Oregon Blues]

It sounds like it is over-heated.

 

[snapcracklepop]

I have a heat lamp that I've been using and the thermometer in the pen says that directly under it it's around 85-90 degrees F. There's definatly enough room for it to move away from the lamp if need be. I use a sort of carpety sheet normally used in reptile tanks as a bottom, a waterer and food dish that I change 2-3 times a day, and the pen is like a hamster cage, though I just purchased a larger pen to accomodate his rapid growth. It was sitting in my hands the other day for about 30 minutes very calm and then it started doing the open mouthed breathing thing, but again with no wheezing or huffing sounds just warm air.

 

[Missy60]

It does sound like its over heating. As long as its warm where you have it I would turn the heat off for a while. I kept mine inside out of drafts and basically only left it on at night time or after swimming.

When my babies first went outside I would have to walk them to the shade or they would be panting just like you described. They would stay in the shade after I took them there but they never thought of it themselves.

 

[snapcracklepop]

Ahh ok that sounds exactly like what's happening regarding the shade. He'll sit under the lamp and pant unless I physically pick him up and put him somewhere cooler. Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[klemele]

I am REALLY worried! My Rouen Duck is breathing really fast with her mouth open and I am worried she might not be well or even make it! You cant hear her breath and it is around 75degrees outside right now... Should I be worried??

 

[Orca5094]

I am REALLY worried! My Rouen Duck is breathing really fast with her mouth open and I am worried she might not be well or even make it! You cant hear her breath and it is around 75degrees outside right now... Should I be worried??

How old is the duck, and how long has she been breathing fast? It's possible she is overheating, or has a respiratory infection. Can you feel her bill and legs? Are they hot? If so, she might just be too hot and needs to cool down. A nice bath in some cool water should help (but if it's a young duckling you don't want to put it in cold water, just remove it from any heat lamps and let it cool down).

I'm sure we could help more with some more information. If you could also post a video of her breathing, that might also help.

 

[klemele]

She is fine now, I was worrying for nothin. I put her in the pool for about 20 minutes and stopped breathing like that. She is better now. I just get worried about nothing lol

 

[Orca5094]

She is fine now, I was worrying for nothin. I put her in the pool for about 20 minutes and stopped breathing like that. She is better now. I just get worried about nothing lol

Glad she is ok! At least you pay close attention to things like this in case something serious happens in the future. You will catch things early and be able to help your ducks in time. It's not a bad thing to be a little paranoid. (I am, too!).