Indian Runner Duck has a prolapse, advice would be very appreciated

[Marian G]

I have 7 Indian runner ducks and one drake. It's our third year now and the ducks are all laying away. However, one duck gives us worries. She just had a prolapse the second time in two weeks. the first time she managed to lay a soft-shell egg after a couple of hours and the prolapse retreated. Then it happened again. She suffered all trough night. I fed her little amounts of pellets and oyster shells and gave her water, This morning I thought she's not gonna make it this time, but then she pushed really hard and out came a wonderful hard shell egg and the prolapse retreated. Has anyone had similar problems? I don't want it to happen again, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The prolapse will likely happen again.

It's an issue I cull for.

Sorry.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry I don't agree on culling. You said the prolapse retreated again? that is good sometimes they don't and when you can't get them to stay in or can't afford a vet then time to think of culling.
I'd give her some calcium gluconate for a while you can put it over some thawed peas or meal worms some kind of treat just enough that she gobbles it down quick 50 mgs of the cal glu a day for at least a week and see how she is doing on the laying. If she was egg bound and you took her to the vet they would most likely give her a shot of cal glu to get the egg moving. So maybe the cal glu will help your girl get those eggs pushed out easier and keep the straining down so no more prolapse. You can buy cal glu at TSC in the cattle dept.

Another thing do your Runners get exercise? that is very important to keep those muscles strong for egg laying too. My Runners are always busy going up and down the hill behind our house foraging. And they are such heavy layers they can get depleted in calcium pretty easy and sometimes don't get enough oyster shell to build it up. another reason to try a different form of calcium

Welcome to BYC.

 

[Amiga]

Sechs has had a prolapse and egg binding, and recovered well from them. She is 8.5 years old.

Something I learned from her egg binding was that inflammation often is the culprit for egg binding and subsequent prolapse.

She had surgery the first time, but the second time when I took her to the vet, she was treated with anti inflammatory medication and antibiotics as well as extra calcium. In five or six days she passed the egg, and has been fine since.

At that time I asked the vet and was told it would not hurt to include some turmeric in their food as a natural anti inflammatory. So I do add that regularly, along with some extra calcium (50-80 mg/duck). I use calcium citrate tablets, dissolved in water.

In short, I would give calcium and turmeric. Maybe add a half teaspoon per cup of food. It will not hurt them, and may help prevent troubles. Big alert: turmeric stains! It is pretty, but it permanently stains fabric, so wear an apron or something when you handle it.

Stains skin, too, but wears off.

 

[Marian G]

The prolapse will likely happen again.

It's an issue I cull for.

Sorry.

Not going to cull any pet. Will try all advice first to have a happy duck.

 

[Marian G]

Sorry I don't agree on culling. You said the prolapse retreated again? that is good sometimes they don't and when you can't get them to stay in or can't afford a vet then time to think of culling.
I'd give her some calcium gluconate for a while you can put it over some thawed peas or meal worms some kind of treat just enough that she gobbles it down quick 50 mgs of the cal glu a day for at least a week and see how she is doing on the laying. If she was egg bound and you took her to the vet they would most likely give her a shot of cal glu to get the egg moving. So maybe the cal glu will help your girl get those eggs pushed out easier and keep the straining down so no more prolapse. You can buy cal glu at TSC in the cattle dept.

Another thing do your Runners get exercise? that is very important to keep those muscles strong for egg laying too. My Runners are always busy going up and down the hill behind our house foraging. And they are such heavy layers they can get depleted in calcium pretty easy and sometimes don't get enough oyster shell to build it up. another reason to try a different form of calcium

Welcome to BYC.

Thank you so so much for this advice. I will certainly get he calcium gluconate and the thawed peas (never tried peas before). My runners get plenty of exercise, first thing out in the morning and back in late evening when it gets dark.
This really gives me hope.

 

[Marian G]

Sechs has had a prolapse and egg binding, and recovered well from them. She is 8.5 years old.

Something I learned from her egg binding was that inflammation often is the culprit for egg binding and subsequent prolapse.

She had surgery the first time, but the second time when I took her to the vet, she was treated with anti inflammatory medication and antibiotics as well as extra calcium. In five or six days she passed the egg, and has been fine since.

At that time I asked the vet and was told it would not hurt to include some turmeric in their food as a natural anti inflammatory. So I do add that regularly, along with some extra calcium (50-80 mg/duck). I use calcium citrate tablets, dissolved in water.

In short, I would give calcium and turmeric. Maybe add a half teaspoon per cup of food. It will not hurt them, and may help prevent troubles. Big alert: turmeric stains! It is pretty, but it permanently stains fabric, so wear an apron or something when you handle it.

Stains skin, too, but wears off.

Turmeric, will try this, too. I take it myself every day, but never thought to give it to my runners. Thank you so much for the helpful reply. By the way, never mentioned her name, she's called "Breezy".

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hoping soon Breezy will be laying with out any trouble.

Sorry I forgot to mention Turmeric I put it in my birds fermented feed.

Runners are awesome ducks.

 

[CayugaJana]

Turmeric and fish oil are two of the best anti inflammatories. I take both every day as well. Or else my hands and face swell like sausages.

If you are inclined, you can give your duck 0.25 mL of children’s ibuprofen 2X a day also. It decreases inflammation as well. But I wouldn’t do it long term. The turmeric and fish oil can be long term.

 

[Marian G]

Hoping soon Breezy will be laying with out any trouble.

Sorry I forgot to mention Turmeric I put it in my birds fermented feed.

Runners are awesome ducks.

Runners are little characters, a joy to watch. - You use fermented feed? Do you ferment yourself or you can buy it?