Help - Squishy swelling under bill (w/ Pics!)

[TracyLovesDucks]

Hello, I'm wondering if someone can offer advice. I have a 9 week old runner duck and I just noticed that she has swelling under her bill, just before her neck begins. It's the area underneath the back of her tongue. I'm worried, and not sure what's going on. I caught her to inspect, and there are no lacerations, scratches or scabs. I tried to look inside her mouth, under her tongue but I couldn't get a good view. the lump feels as though it's filled with liquid. It isn't huge, but it's noticeable from a distance.

Does anyone know what might be causing this?

I have them on chick grower crumbles, 2 parts fermented to 1 part dry (so it's kinda wet and mushy). They also have a little access to fully dry feed occasionally throughout the day. Plus they get all the grass, weeds, and bugs that they can find throughout the day.

I did notice they were eating some feed that had been spilled on the dirt/grass a few days ago. I'm going to put apple cider vinegar in their water tonight, what else should I be doing?

 

[buff goose guy]

Could I see a picture ?

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

It's pretty dark right now, so I might not be able to get a good one. I will try.

 

[Amiga]

Could she have gotten stung?

Do you have venomous snakes in your area?

I don't know for sure, I was wondering if benadryl might help if it is a histamine reaction to something. This is where a vet would be a real help.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

It's possible that it could have been a bee sting, or maybe a wasp sting. It's unlikely it was a snake because the venomous one we have around these parts is a rattler, and I think my little duck would be gone already.

A sting is on the top of my list, other possibilities I can think of are that something she was trying to eat poked her in the back of the throat, or there might be food lodged under her tongue causing an infection. I don't know, what do you think?

I am pretty sure it just started today, I try to be very observant.

Yes, a vet would be best, but we can't justify that expense right now. Here are some pictures. I'm leaving them to rest for the night, so I really really really hope she is ok in the morning. But please, I am still hoping for advice so I can take action right away in the morning.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I just did some research here on BYC and came across tongue strangulation (I am now officially freaked out

). I saw a few stories about chickens with strings wrapped around their tongues, causing the tongue to die and fall off... apparently chickens can survive without tongues, but I feel that it would be especially difficult for a duck to lose her tongue.

Could my little one have something wrapped around the back of her tongue? If so, how the heck am I going to get at it and how long do I have before it does serious damage?

 

[KAZROB]

mmm, I am no expert, but get help to hold her in a secure position and open her beak and have a look, maybe a third person to hold a torch there for light, I know my chicken's allow me to inspect their throats, but I haven't tried my ducks, but my nursing instinct tells me to look and see and perhaps a small massage to see if it will move? Good luck keep us posted...I do hope the darling is ok

 

[buff goose guy]

My best guess when all else fails find a bird doctor in your area or you can go to your natural science museum and they can take care of it for you .( when I say 'take care' I mean they find you a good vet to send it too and help with the cost ) that's what mine did for me .

 

[Speceider]

Have you checked under the tongue...on occasion they will collect mash under the tongue which needs to be manually cleaned out.

Clint

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Thanks for all the tips, Everyone. Her swelling had pretty much disappeared overnight and was gone this morning. I was prepared to have a friend help me look inside her bill under the tongue today if need be (to see if there was food, or a stinger, or a splinter like you all mentioned), but alas my little one appears to have healed... hopefully permanently! Of course I'm still keeping a close eye on her.

I always leave water in their duck house at night and usually feed, too. But last night, for fear that eating might irritate her mouth, I kept feed out of their house and left only a bucket of fresh water and a gallon waterer with 1 tbsp ACV. Maybe this helped, maybe it didn't.

I have decided to keep feed out of their house again tonight as an extra measure. (In fact, since they are no longer little ducklings, I may just continue to keep feed out of their house at night. They showed no signs of starving this morning when I let them out.)

If it flares up again, I will take the steps you all suggested. Thank you so much for all the help!