help panting and sleepy

[motherduckling]

HI My crispy finally came home today after a week. i was sure he was gone for ever.
Anyway he has come back in and eating like there is no tomorrow. pooping as normal. (i haven't missed that bit!!)
But he is so sleepy and keeps panting. whats wrong with him. could it be he has been attacked by something out there or caught some illness.
Im really worried an want to make sure it is nothing serious to worry about

Thanks for help in advance he is a 12 week old mallard

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry to hear about your bird. Could you answer the following questions?


Where did you acquire Cripsy? Do you have any pictures, or a video of Crispy of panting? To post a video, upload it to a video platform like Youtube or vimeo, and copy/paste the link here. Is he drinking well? Do you have pictures of his poop? Besides the panting, how is he acting? If you hold your head up to his back, how does his breathing sound? Have you done a full external examination checking around his vent, legs, eyes, mouth, etc?

 

[motherduckling]

HI I rescued him when he was an egg. we live on a marina so we were going to release him when he was ready. but he left last week. so we thought it was time. but he has come back was swimming in the river happily enough he saw me and followed me back to our boat. so i gave him some food as i had loads left and also always have plenty for all the other ducks. he ate like he was starving. and then has slept really ever since he has stopped panting now. and just sleeping. could he just be tired after being on his own in the big wide world for a week? he is hungry . his poop is normal just greeny with white stripes and not runny like smooth blobs. like before just bigger !! his eyes are clear and he is running after me ok when i walked up the end of our boat his crest seems very hard and full up though is that just food?

 

[Isaac 0]

HI I rescued him when he was an egg. we live on a marina so we were going to release him when he was ready. but he left last week. so we thought it was time. but he has come back was swimming in the river happily enough he saw me and followed me back to our boat. so i gave him some food as i had loads left and also always have plenty for all the other ducks. he ate like he was starving. and then has slept really ever since he has stopped panting now. and just sleeping. could he just be tired after being on his own in the big wide world for a week? he is hungry . his poop is normal just greeny with white stripes and not runny like smooth blobs. like before just bigger !!

Thanks for providing more information. Could you try posting a video, of the duck?

Pure speculation at this point, but since hand-raised Mallards often don't survive in the wild since they're not taught how to properly forage for food, it is possible he is in debilitated condition since he hasn't been able to fulfill his nutritional needs. I would move him to a warm, towel-lined, stressful free area with feed and water provided. If you have a poultry vitamin, I would try giving him a few drops along his bill, or try offering mashed scrambled eggs. Gatorade would also work.

 

[motherduckling]

there you go
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fdz4bpwtrda0ssq/AAC_leqKzOkFi003T_wNFvHKa?dl=0

he is now drinking little bits of water but he is still really sleepy. im wondering that he has been on the predator look out all week so has not had a good nights sleep so hes making the most of it. he has stopped making then sideway movements like trying to swallow. that was the first time he has been out alone in a strange marina. hes always been on the boat and on deck. he must of been very scared and alone. he is now tucked up next to me enjoying a snuggle. but i just got a bit scared when he started making strange movements with his neck like he was reaching. thank you so much for your help

 

[motherduckling]

UPDATE: Crispy is so back to him self this morning he had a big long sleep last night in his fluffy bed and came out this morning his bubbly playing self. all a bit more stuck to me mind you but hes playing like he was before.

 

[Isaac 0]

Glad to hear, thanks for the update!