Help, please.. Duck ate foreign object

[RubberDuckee]

I apologize in advance, as this is my second post today... It has been quite a start to the week... I am not meaning to annoy any 'duck veterans' or seem overly 'needy." I am just new to the 'duck thing' and would really appreciate some help with this...

Right before my eyes, my duck picked up and I THINK she swallowed what appeared to be a bright green soda can top/cap/opener. As it was almost the color of the grass it took a moment for my brain to register that she had some type of man-made object in her mouth. It looked to be flat, oval-shaped, and have two wholes just as the caps on cans of cokes have. I immediately attempted to snatch it out of her mouth... She immediately ran away and I believe she swallowed it. I didn't see it on the ground anywhere... WHAT DO I DO??? Will she vomit it up? Should I take her to the vet for an X-ray? Will it cause an obstruction in her intestines or throat? WHAT DO I DO?

Also, if it makes her sick, how will I know? I have been blessed with 3 healthy ducks. Therefore, I have not experienced or been able to observe the behavior of a duck that is feeling ill. What are symptoms something is wrong?

Things have been going very well for the past 13 weeks, but it certainly seems to have been an "eventful" past few days around here.

Please advise! Thank you!

 

[70%cocoa]

How stressful! If you are pretty sure she swallowed it then vet advice is a good idea. It's not uncommon for ducks to swallow metal objects. She will not be able to pass the object through her system and metal poisoning is a possibility as the object starts to break down in the gizzard. There are antidotes to metal poisoning so don't panic! But if you can, I'd take her to the vet. Is that possible?

Edited to fix spelling

 

[RubberDuckee]

Thanks for responding, Cocoa!

As I am not sure if the object was metal or plastic, it sounds that it seems best to error on the side of judgment that whatever it is isn't good. Thank you for the advice. Yes, I have 2 bird vets here in town. I will call tomorrow morning and seek an appointment. Thank you again! I wasn't sure if I was over-reacting by being worried...

Dang it, bird!

 

[70%cocoa]

No, I think your reaction is sensible. Better to get onto this kind of thing quickly. It's great that you have access to bird vets in your area! You are lucky Let us know what the vet says

 

[RubberDuckee]

Thanks! My regular vet is out of the office today, but I was able to get in touch with a second vet who is going to squeeze us in at 3:30 today. I will let you know hat he says... I hope all is well...I really hope I just "imagined" the whole thing!

 

[Amiga]

You've received some good advice here. Just wanted to say I am pulling for you both!

 

[RubberDuckee]

Update:

Feewwwwhheeeee!!! I must say, the good Lord has certainly kept his eyes on my little "sparrow" (duck) these past few days... My goodness!!!

First, she gets scared into the air just before dark and gets lost for 48 hours... Then, she manages to STAY ALIVE and find her way back home... Next, she eats some foreign object that looked like a coke can tab... I was beginning to think my girl just had bad luck... NOW I realize she has GREAT LUCK and a good Father watching over her from above! She is one very lucky duck!!!

The vet found NOTHING INSIDE of her!!!! That object, whatever it was, somehow made its way back up and out I guess... The vet felt around and took several x-rays... Nothing but good ole dirt and pebbles inside of my girl. He said that whatever it was likely didn't get to far before she spit it up/out... I guess I just wasn't looking at that moment. FFFEEEWWHHHHH!!!!!

I guess, sometimes, we all need a good lesson in faith and trust....

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Amiga]

Relief!

 

[70%cocoa]

Absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!! Now you can put your mind at rest.

Hope your ducky starts having a less adventurous life pretty soon!

 

[RubberDuckee]

Yes! Thank you both!