Duckling with Swollen cheek :( Advice please

[AliciaDuckLady]

Hello, I have two Khaki Campbell ducklings, two wks old tomorrow. One is a fair bit smaller than the other. In the last few days though she has started to grow a fair bit. There has been sneezing, mostly by her but I put this down to dust or just being normal. Now she has developed a soft fluid swelling on her cheek, looks like a chipmunk. When she breathes you can hear a soft click, like when you have a cold and there is lots of congestion. Is this a sinus infection and are there any natural remedies I can try before the vet? I have put a few drops of ACV in their water this evening (braggs with mother) but wonder if there is anything else I can try. She is very small so not sure wether to try alternatives or head straight to the vet. She's still very quick on her feet and eating well.

Thank you

 

[Amiga]

Vet is always the best if they are reasonably good vets and willing to pay attention to ducks.

In the meantime and in any case, sounds like the beginnings of an infection. Does she have a way to wash her entire head frequently? I was amazed at how dusty ducklings got just from their crumbles. They need to be able to snoot water through their nares, wash their eyes and ears to prevent infections.

So, the ACV is a really good idea. Go with that, too, and get them some poultry vitamins with electrolytes and probiotics for a boost.

Does she get warm (same temperature water as in the brooder) bath frequently? That helps prevent infections, and gives them good exercise. I read a paper that indicated that ducklings that are allowed to bath early on start preening sooner. She must be supervised at all times when in her bath. I only would make the water level up to the tops of their legs. It may only take a few minutes before they tire, so watch for that, and then get them back into a clean, dry, warm brooder. If mine did not immediately start to preen, I would wipe them down with a dry washcloth. I liked it more than they did

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

X2

Yes, make sure that water dish is deep enough for the duckling to get her entire bill into it. And do add ACV. It's a good thing. hope that swelling goes away soon. One other thing is make sure there are no airborne irritants, like sawdust or anything like that in the environment.

 

[AliciaDuckLady]

Thank you everyone, I would be lost without this forum! Update this morning, the swelling has gone down but she was blowing bubbles of the clear discharge on her nose. I have cleaned out their enclosure, given more water with ACV but made a new container that they can only get their heads through. They were jumping into the last one and getting wet. The lamp is on them with a shaded area if they choose. I have been bathing them everyday with the warm water from the hose in the sun. Then we have been strolling around the yard. They have been preening well and the oils on their backs are working but not so much on their bellies. They dry off in the sun before going back in the brooder. Will see if I can get some electrolytes and vitamins today. Our vet is great but very expensive. $100 per bird. That's without drugs if required. So unless I really need to take her I would prefer to treat her at home. Since there is definite improvement I will keep a close eye on her today to see how she goes. Thanks again for the help, it's reassuring to have so much advice so that I can make good decisions for my little tikes Books aren't always enough. One more question, should I separate the two ducklings, I feel like it would create a fair amount of stress? Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you everyone, I would be lost without this forum! Update this morning, the swelling has gone down but she was blowing bubbles of the clear discharge on her nose. I have cleaned out their enclosure, given more water with ACV but made a new container that they can only get their heads through. They were jumping into the last one and getting wet. The lamp is on them with a shaded area if they choose. I have been bathing them everyday with the warm water from the hose in the sun. Then we have been strolling around the yard. They have been preening well and the oils on their backs are working but not so much on their bellies. They dry off in the sun before going back in the brooder. Will see if I can get some electrolytes and vitamins today. Our vet is great but very expensive. $100 per bird. That's without drugs if required. So unless I really need to take her I would prefer to treat her at home. Since there is definite improvement I will keep a close eye on her today to see how she goes. Thanks again for the help, it's reassuring to have so much advice so that I can make good decisions for my little tikes

Books aren't always enough. One more question, should I separate the two ducklings, I feel like it would create a fair amount of stress? Thanks!

I wouldn't since they have been together all along it would diff cause too much stress. Mix the unpasteurized ACV 1 tab. to 1 gal of water then put it into their waterer.

 

[AliciaDuckLady]

Thank you

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you

Your welcome and happy to hear your lil one is doing better. make sure when using ACV it isn't put into metal containers. Hoping tomorrow will even be better for your lil one.s.

 

[Amiga]

I wonder if dabbing a little triple antibiotic (without painkiller) at the base of the bill might help.

 

[AliciaDuckLady]

I just went downstairs to check and Buttons nose looks like it has cleared up. The swelling is still down so I am hoping there was maybe just something lodged in there or the ACV is working magic! Will still check out vitamins for them. I think she has visibly grown this morning!

 

[Amiga]

They do seem to grow right before our eyes those early weeks! I would keep up with the ACV, make sure she keeps having opportunities to wash her little head.