- Nov 2, 2009
- 19
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We have had six pekin ducks for a few weeks now. All six seemed to be fine--excepting the one. S/he acted fine all the time, but her beak has always been a dark purple color.
This morning, she started acting strangely--walking off-balance, falling over, et c. Within ten minutes, she started shaking. I don't mean a small shiver, I mean REALLY shaking, her mouth opening and closing, then she would stretch out, and I thought s/he was dead, but would then start shaking again.
This happened about three times before she actually died. I was holding her, and her heart beat slowed, then finally stopped.
We're all very saddened by this, especially my two-year old sister whose duck this was. She's heart-broken at the loss of "Cousin Ribby." (We don't watch TV, and my sister took a huge part in caring for this particular duck).
Anyway, I mostly want to know if anyone knows what this could have been. My guess is some sort of heart problem, and her body out-grew her heart's ability to keep up with it. Why was her bill always such a dark purple color?
The rest of the ducks seem fine, all fluffy yellow with their bright, orange beaks.
I don't think this is contagious, but what could it have been? Could the other ducks be in any danger?
Thank you for any help.
This morning, she started acting strangely--walking off-balance, falling over, et c. Within ten minutes, she started shaking. I don't mean a small shiver, I mean REALLY shaking, her mouth opening and closing, then she would stretch out, and I thought s/he was dead, but would then start shaking again.
This happened about three times before she actually died. I was holding her, and her heart beat slowed, then finally stopped.
We're all very saddened by this, especially my two-year old sister whose duck this was. She's heart-broken at the loss of "Cousin Ribby." (We don't watch TV, and my sister took a huge part in caring for this particular duck).
Anyway, I mostly want to know if anyone knows what this could have been. My guess is some sort of heart problem, and her body out-grew her heart's ability to keep up with it. Why was her bill always such a dark purple color?
The rest of the ducks seem fine, all fluffy yellow with their bright, orange beaks.
I don't think this is contagious, but what could it have been? Could the other ducks be in any danger?
Thank you for any help.
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