Update on Booby:
we finally got an appointment with an avian vet! If booby can make it until 3pm, we’re good!
The most major concern right now is emaciation rather than the aspiration. The fluid in his lungs either worked itself out of their or settled (? physiology was my worst grade in college lol)
Either way, the risk from the aspiration is at least not the worst of the concerns right now. i definitely overfed him and it came back up and then he aspirated on that, so no more tube feeding for me until the vet demos and teaches me all the math behind the amount of food at each feeding. Ugh that was definitely the worst feeling in the world. Learned my lesson not to rush when doing risky emergency medical aid to my duckies unfortunately it was at booby’s expense. But I am glad he at least had thise two feedings because he was starting to slip away really fast before.
For anyone looking for alternative methods of hand feeding before resorting to tube feeding, I suggest placing the duck in some water (if its winter or cold, make sure he is already staying indoors where it is warm and do this inside and use room temp or lukewarm water in a small bath tub or little plastic bath. I scattered mealworms on top, sprinkled a lot of chick grit along the edges, and plopped bite sized fruit (cutting large grapes in half etc) and veggie treats in one at a time so he could “hunt”
That worked for a time until he really didnt even have the energy for that, so then I started mimicking a horse feedbag with my hand. I placed small treats like mealworms or even just plain feed in my palm and then closed my fingers around it like an open fist and kept putting his bill inside. He didnt love this and would pull away but when i kept at it, he’d start investigating with his mouth, taking in a little bit of food each time. That at least whet his appetite for eating grapes and mealworms normally out of my hand.
After the tube feeding and the pill feeding, booby is wary of my hands near his mouth and suspicious of the food i offer. I used these methods to reintroduce food (though he is still emaciated and not eating) just to sustain him until i can see a vet. I also won back his trust by allowing him to cuddle and sleep on my lap for a couple hours each night. He misses his sister wives and sleeping alone must just be awful and scary when youre this sick and used to being with your flock, so i gave him all my attention and all the cuddles.
