Help! Drooling duck who was attacked unable to swallow

[azygous]

I just googled everything I could find on duck drool. I couldn't find a single instance where duck drool was a symptom of anything wrong.

My impression is that ducks are droolers, bless their little hearts, and drool from a duck is to be as expected as drool from a puppy or a human infant.

One person did mention that thick drool from a duck may be a sign of dehydration. Ducks and water go together like salt and pepper or politicians and bribes.

 

[Jpat]

never had a duck drool

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine will drool at times just water running back out of their bills from over flow I guess. They gorge on water

 

[Jpat]

Mealwoms

 

[Miss Lydia]

That will do it too! Lol

 

[Gooseypoo]

Yeah, I think you're right, I bet it is a pressure injury to her throat and maybe it is swollen because her wounds don't really look too bad. She was also MUCH better tonight in the bath. We brought the other two in and put all three into the tub with lukewarm water. This time she cruised around with the same energy as them. Our other runner duck female bit at her neck a few times so I put a stop to that, but she didn't try to hide like she did yesterday and lasted as long as they did in the bath (though she got quite a bit wetter around the head and neck because she hasn't been able to oil that area properly).

They're still being kept separate overnight because I think all three of them in the kennel will be too crowded (and I don't want the runner harassing her) but it is supposed to be in the 30s day after tomorrow so, if she continues to improve during the day tomorrow I will put her back out with the other ducks and geese (and just bring them in at night until we get their stall secured).

Thank you all for your help. I will post again if I think we will need help tube feeding her, but I think she's going to be alright.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s awesome, please keep us updated on her progress!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How is she doing today? @Gooseypoo

 

[Gooseypoo]

I just checked on her and it seems she's still unable to swallow. She drinks some water and it just dribbles out the sides of her beak. Then when she tips her head forward the rest just streams out the front of her beak. I'm not sure if she's getting any in her at all (but maybe some streams down her throat).

She had another go at the little kale shreds but couldn't swallow those either. It looks like she tried to eat her pellets and the mash I left her (there's a bunch of it at the bottom of her water bowl) but I doubt she had much luck there either.

How do I tube feed her and what do I need in order to do it?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony is our best for instruction on tube feeding. You can’t feel any swelling at all along her neck that maybe causing her to not be able to swallow?