Help! Duckling dying.

[ten chicks]

I don't really feel comfortable if it may kill her. She keeps opening and closing her mouth about every second or so. This happened last night at about 7 or so. So it's been about 24 hours. Should she be drinking water or not?

If she will drink water,then let her. Look inside her beak see if anything is stuck. Has she been eating/drinking?

 

[Araucana16]

Offer her water, but watch her very carefully. Water is crucial.

I understand. Can you just listen to her lungs though, if you can? You could just put your ear up against her back and pinch your other ear closed to see what her lungs sound like.

 

[PoultryGirly]

I don't know if she's been eating or drinking. I don't hear anything when she breathes. When I went to check, she was scratching herself because she had an itch.

 

[Araucana16]

Sounds like she is doing better!

 

[PoultryGirly]

She doesn't seem any better unfortunately.

 

[Araucana16]

Okay, series of questions :

Age -
Initial Symptoms -
Current Symptoms -
Breathing -
Crop (I believe ducks have a similar crop to chickens?) -
Does the duckling show sensitivity to you gently palpating the crop/abdomen? -
How does the other duckling seem? -
Poop? -
Eating/Drinking? -

 

[PoultryGirly]

Age- about 2 months

Initial Symptoms- was fine before I put her on the tub but 'fell' while she was in the tub and started flopping and frolicking- couldn't stand/walk

Current Symptoms- laying down. Rolls around if she gets uncomfortable and tries to sit up (she can). She opens and closes her mouth about every second or so. And she can't stand or walk.

Crop: looks a bit puffed out but isn't firm

Sensitivity- not yet checked the stomach but when I picked her up in general she seemed fine

Other duckling: the other is eating and drinking fine- acts fine and cuddles with the other. May or may not have a sound when breathing. I will check again tomorrow.

Poop- not sure

Eating and Drinking- not sure but I doubt it

 

[Jacob Temple]

well I'm confused but i have had ducks almost get dizzy on their first bath and i have seen just odd stuff like they are having a meltdown and are dying but i hold them and look them over if they can't breath and if so i get a small but big enough twig and old the bottom bill and hold up so its straight and push any thing in throat down and may hold the same way and blow in its face to blow any water or something that may be in its nose or may blow anything the twig didnt push and it doesn't hurt them and it has worked may times for me

 

[Araucana16]

The pattern of damage occurs because the toxin affects nerves that are firing more often. For example, the inhibition of the release of Acetylcholine from motor neurons results in a loss of muscle function and paralysis. In poultry and wild birds, flaccid paralysis is usually seen in the legs, wings, neck (twisting) and eyelids. Broiler chickens with the toxicoinfectious form may also have diarrhea with excess urates and respiratory problems.
Healthy birds, affected birds, and dead birds in various stages of decay are commonly found in the same area.
Consequently, birds are unable to use their wings and legs normally or control the third eyelid, neck muscles, and other muscles. Birds with paralyzed neck muscles cannot hold their heads up and often drown. Death can also result from water deprivation, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory failure, or predation.

Copied and pasted from symptoms of Avian Butolism.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Another duckling I had last year had similar symptoms and I suspect she had botulism. That one died within 10 minutes. This poor baby is just getting weaker What causes botulism? If she dies (which I suspect she will) what should I do with her single mate? They love each other dearly! I feel so so bad. I could've prevented it.