Gasping Barbu Duccle

[dehill]

Hi all,

One of my pair of little barbu d’uccles has started extending her neck and gasping. She seems to be struggling to get air, classic gaping. She is off her food, no time for food if you can’t breathe, right? Somewhat legthargic.

The sad truth of the matter is that we don’t have any specialist avian vets here in suburbia and taking her to a general pet vet is going to be expensive and of limited use I suspect. Can anyone give me any ideas?

Other info:

They were all wormed a month ago with medicated food, so I don’t think it’s gapeworm.

I’ve had a good look down her throat and can’t see any blockage.

I’ve given her throat and whole body a good prob and rub. I can’t feel any blockages or egg binding. But I am an amateur.

Picture below, all thoughts for home treatment welcome.

 

[nuthatched]

What was the medicated food? It's likely a crop issue as gapeworm is very rare. Can you feel her crop?

 

[dehill]

What was the medicated food? It's likely a crop issue as gapeworm is very rare. Can you feel her crop

It was Heygates medicated pellets. Flubenvet dosed.

I couldn’t feel anything in her crop, so I guess it’s empty?

 

[nuthatched]

It was Heygates medicated pellets. Flubenvet dosed.

I couldn’t feel anything in her crop, so I guess it’s empty?

It could be stridor in her airway, just monitor her for now. If you can get her to eat some egg yolk with a bit of sugar/molasses mixed in, it will help her keep her strength up.

 

[dehill]

Thank you. I’ve just been out and fed her some yoke mixed with sugar. Not a great outlook sadly, she’s more lethargic than earlier. Didn’t even attempt to move when I approached and picked her up.

 

[dehill]

Sad to say she didn’t make it through the night. Thanks for your help.