Help, sick 4 week old duckling

[Kic0160]

Hey everyone!

So I have a 4 week old duckling I rescued a couple of days ago. He was initially broken out of his shell (from a horrid school hatchling project) and since then he has been slower than his siblings with 'squinty' eyes. He was never given veterinary care until now. My vet had him on an IV as he was severely dehydrated (was one of 10) and gave critical care. The IV was taken out 24 hours ago and he continued to eat and drink ok.
Today his eyes are still half closed, which he itches when he bathes himself, he is quite lethargic and droops his head forward in what seems to be exhastion, but then stands tall and has a flap and stretch, then back down. My vet is unsure what could be wrong and has put him on a broad spectrum antibiotic, synulox.
I've got him on electrolytes, water and his feed.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This is my first duckling and I need help. I will do any test necessary as he is part of the family (not food), he got himself this far, I don't want to give up on him now.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[slippednfell]

I'm sorry about the situation but I am very happy that you are willing to do what it takes to help the little guy/girl out. I am too new to ducklings myself to be of any help, but I am sure you will get great advice here. I hope he/she makes it.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

What a cute little guy! Sorry to hear that he's had a rough start - neglect leaves its mark - but it seems like he's in kind hands now.

I'd start him on a vitamin supplement, like Poultry Nutri-Drench, in case his lethargy/malaise is due to deficiency. Is he on a waterfowl-specific feed?

Hopefully, good feed and water, along with TLC, will help your duckling recover quickly. Best wishes!

 

[Kic0160]

Thank you both for your replies and kind words!
Yes he is on waterfowl feed, I've ordered some nutri drops which arrive today. I also add brewers yeast to his chopped veggies. He seems a little perkier this morning, so fingers crossed he continues to improve.
Any idea how often I should let him bathe? I currently only do it supervised because of his lethargy and worry he may get too weak.
Thanks again for your help

 

[slippednfell]

Thank you both for your replies and kind words!
Yes he is on waterfowl feed, I've ordered some nutri drops which arrive today. I also add brewers yeast to his chopped veggies. He seems a little perkier this morning, so fingers crossed he continues to improve.
Any idea how often I should let him bathe? I currently only do it supervised because of his lethargy and worry he may get too weak.
Thanks again for your help

I would put some water in the bathtub (about my body temp). As they have a slope, I would have one end so he/she could stand and the other for him/her to swim in. I strongly agree with you about supervising. I also would put a little feed into the water in a corner. My ducks seemed to love to "vacuum" up the wet food.

 

[Kic0160]

So little one loves a bath! He gets tired quickly, but he is having a lot of fun in there!
He seems a little weaker today, so will take him for a full range of blood tests tomorrow to see if we can fully establish what's up with the poor little guy.
Thanks for your messages, will keep you updated.

 

[Kic0160]

Hey everyone,

I am heartbroken to say but baby duckling passed away on Tuesday.
I am writing this in hope it may help anyone who has a poorly one in the future.

So Tuesday morning baby duckling had his usual bath, he seemed okay, however, I noticed a 'wet' looking patch around his left ear. When we arrived at the vet I explained this to her and that he also seemed clumsy, immediately these new symptoms gave rise to her thinking a middle ear infection, which would also explain his 'squinty eyes', like in chickens an indication (if not accompanied by puss/discharge) of them being in pain.
This required baby duckling to have a light sedation in order for his ear and the infection to be flushed out. It's likely this had been present for the four weeks of his short life and was never addressed by the previous owner.
Sadly this was all too much on his little body and his heart gave out.
The vet saw it was a severely extensive infection, which had been the cause of all his symptoms.
- squinty eyes due to pain
- lethargy due to pain and exhaustion of fighting the infection
- constant itching of the infected ear
- 'wet patch' around infected ear with visible hole

I hope this post will help any poorly ducklings in future.

Thank you all for your help and kind messages.