Help! Sick duckling

[AngelaY]

I would just hold him wrapped up in a towel or blanket or something until he's warm, and calmed down. The poor thing probably got stuck in the water bowl overnight and is still cold and scared.

 

[stateline96]

He was fine all day yesterday. I have him inside now In a box. I was watching him try to walk and he fell over and just laid on his back. Didn’t try to get up. I helped him right side up. He awake and alert. Drinking water. Just not walking.

 

[shineandrise]

Do you have a water bowl or some other waterer, do you remember if it was tipped over when you found it?

 

[stateline96]

Their waterer is not really a bowl, but one you fill up and Tip over, so water comes out as needed. It was not flipped over. I have a tarp on the ground in the garage, with pine shavings on top. The shavings were all spread out and he was just laying in wetness on the tarp. He’s still breathing with mouth open

 

[shineandrise]

I am guessing he got in it somehow? Weird that it is not tipped over. Cuddle him in a towel for a while and see if he calms down.

 

[JNC]

That’s unusual. Are any other ducks panting? He could just be overheated. Was he breathing with his moth open when you got there or once you wrapped him in the towels. He could be too hot inside those towels. I’ve heard the young ducklings can get an illness where they flip over on their back and unable to flip themselves over. If I am correct it could possibly be Toxoplasmosis. However it could be something else. @Isaac 0 What do you think?

 

[HappyDuckie]

How cold was it, do you know? At 6/7 weeks they should be growing in their feathers. He/she is most likely in shock from being cold. Also, what are you feeding them? Thanks for tagging me by the way!

 

[Isaac 0]

I would like to see a few pictures of their water dish. If the water dish is big, it is possible the duckling, fell into the water dish, and was unable to get up, or out. If that happened for an extended period of time, that could result in similar symptoms. The first objective is warming the duckling back up. I would suggest blow-drying her on low heat, until she's dry, and set her in a warm, dry area. Give her some time to rest, and I would try dripping a few drops of a poultry vitamin along her bill. Mashed scrambled eggs would also be good. If she doesn't improve by this evening, let us know.

 

[Isaac 0]

The breathing with her mouth open is concerning to me. Do you have a video of her breathing? If you hold your head up to her back, does it sound raspy at all? It is possible she inhaled water, in which, veterinary attention would be needed.