Girl duck lethargic and sleepy

[LucyDuck]

We have 4 Abacot rangers, just over 4 weeks old. There is at least 1 girl (based on her quacking).
For the last 36 hours she has been much more lethargic. Hasn't preened herself once. Still eating and drinking but more lacklustre. Looking increasingly small compared to the other 3.
My husband wondered if she was cold as they were outside a lot the day before and so gave her a warm bath (during which she got waterlogged which is unusual for her), washed her with washing liquid and hair dried her (as advised by Google!).
She's still quiet and lethargic tonight. No obvious external injuries.

Things we're planning on trying in the morning are:
Keeping her inside while the others go out
Some yoghurt
Activated charcoal (if we can find some)

When we tried to separate her earlier she got really upset - is it still the best thing to do though despite that?

And been reading about checking their gullet and crop. How do you check the gullet? By feeling on outside or by opening beak and looking down?!!!!?

Any advice or thoughts gratefully received!!!

Thank you!

 

[LucyDuck]

She's the one top left (pic taken 36 hours ago)

 

[LucyDuck]

@Texas Kiki @WVduckchick @Miss Lydia
Hoping one of you guys might be able to help after you were so helpful on their hatching thread!!

 

[Jpat]

what is washing liquid?

Dont use cleansers of anykind on ducks, they rely on their oils to keep them warm and dry and the soap will make them sick as they preen themselves off

iam not sure what to do about her

@casportpony

 

[WVduckchick]

I agree with jpat, don’t use any cleaners on her at this age. It’s safe to use in certain instances, just not the best while her oil glands are developing.

What are you feeding them? Watch for her to poop and take a picture of it, if it looks different. I also wouldn’t separate her at this point, unless the others pick on her. It could be that the others are male and she is just growing slower than boys do. I’d probably try some extra vitamins for her, like a shot of Nutridrench. Hopefully the others have something else to suggest.

 

[WVduckchick]

Beautiful ducklings, by the way!

 

[quackiemama]

I agree with the others. I was thinking she might need a little help with some Nutradrench or B Complex too. My little runt really perked up when I started giving her vitamins. Now she is growing and is almost caught up in size to her sisters. They are beautiful ducks. I hope she gets better. I am curious what the experts will suggest.

 

[LucyDuck]

Thanks everyone. My husband took her to the vet earlier today as she was even more lethargic, not wanting to stand, no energy etc. They said she was very sick, tried iv fluids and glucose water but she died 2 hours later.

Vet wondered if it was a birth problem (and interestingly she hatched 2 days after everyone else from an egg that hadn't candled normally etc).

Not sure re washing liquid. Was recommended on a vet forum if they have stopped preening themselves and are getting waterlogged (which she was). Didn't obviously help in this case but our vet said it had been worth trying. Maybe it's a UK vs US thing?

Thanks for all your tips/advice anyway. Just keeping fingers crossed for our remaining 3 now ...

 

[Jpat]

so sorry to hear!

We call it "failure to thrive". i lost one recently the exact same way

Do you have a link or a picture of the wash?

 

[LucyDuck]