Lethargic duck — not quacking or acting like herself. What to do?

[micaelasducks]

Hi all. Looking for any advice. I have an Indian runner who the last few days has lost her spunk. She is 7 years old and has been slowly losing vision over the last few years but is typically very busy, active, loud. We had a few very hot days and noticed she was quiet, not eating as much, and not rooting around in the dirt like she usually does. The heat wave is over and she has not bounced back her energy. She is mostly just standing around quietly not doing anything which is very unusual for her. I haven’t heard her quack in a few days which is bizarre. She is still eating and drinking and happily accepting treats.

I know she is old and may be just near the end of her time. I’m wondering what other symptoms to be looking for and any ideas what could be wrong. Could she just still be recovering from the heat wave? Is there anything to do in the interim?

 

[micaelasducks]

Hi everyone. My duck is going downhill and we have consulted with our vet to try to come take a look at her. I am concerned that it is something like egg binding or egg yolk peritonitis. She is still accepting treats and water but otherwise is no longer coming out of the house and is just standing around and not doing much of anything. Unfortunately we are considering putting her down if the prognosis doesn't look good.

 

[micaelasducks]

Unable to get any appt for our traveling vet, so dropping off our poor girl at a vet for the day tomorrow. Not optimistic unfortunately. Will update post for anyone in the future looking for answers <3

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your duck. Is she still laying eggs at 7 yrs old? If she's egg bound, you could try having her sit in a warm bath with epsom salts. Could you try giving her some nutri-drench on her favorite treat or some scrambled eggs.
What are the temp where you are? If she's overheated can you bring her in somewhere cooler?

 

[micaelasducks]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your duck. Is she still laying eggs at 7 yrs old? If she's egg bound, you could try habingnher sit in a warm bath with epsom salts. Could you try giving her some nutri-drench on her favorite treat or some scrambled eggs.
What are the temp where you are? If she's overheated can you bring her in somewhere cooler?

I appreciate your reply. It was hot for about three days which coincided with symptoms, but it has cooled down and she is acting worse. They lay eggs very sporadically -- which again considering their age doesn't seem unusual? However, we do occasionally see a soft egg laid and while we give layer feed and oyster shell this makes me wonder if it could be an egg/reproductive related issue. However she is not acting like she is straining to lay/tail bobbing. Her abdomen/crop area seems normal.

We are giving nutri-drench and as many treats as she wants. Still eagerly accepting her favorite treats. I also have started a low dose of meloxicam in order to try to bring her comfort in case she is in pain. I am not optimistic for our vet visit but my fingers are crossed.

 

[micaelasducks]

Here is our dear girl this evening. Frankly, she is confusing me because she doesn't "look" too bad. Sick ducks have a "look" in their eyes that she just doesn't have. I am worried bringing her to the vet (we usually have a vet come to us -- but they are booked for weeks apparently) will cause her stress but it is the only thing I feel right doing for her.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Here is our dear girl this evening. Frankly, she is confusing me because she doesn't "look" too bad. Sick ducks have a "look" in their eyes that she just doesn't have. I am worried bringing her to the vet (we usually have a vet come to us -- but they are booked for weeks apparently) will cause her stress but it is the only thing I feel right doing for her.

She's very pretty. Maybe she's just slowing down or the care you have already given has helped her. I would continue what you are doing and see how she does. I know change stresses ducks for sure.
As far as soft shelled eggs - I have chickens that lay them when its hotter out. They act lethargic right before laying a soft shelled eggs. And they go into a trance afterwards for a period of time. I haven't had a duck lay a soft shelled, but I imagine it takes a lot out of them as well. I also add citracal (vitamin d w/ calcium) crushed up in the oyster shell dish. Vitamin d helps with the absorption of calcium. She might need it directly and some will offer it crushed on a treat. You can also give tums - either directly or added to the oyster shell. I also crush up dried egg shells for them.

 

[micaelasducks]

Hi everybody -- my girl is at the vet today. Dropped her off with them. They are squeezing her in so she is spending the day there getting loved on by some vet techs I'm sure... She didn't seen any worse today than she did yesterday -- she even gave me some head bobs this morning which was nice. We only have one other duck and I was worried she would be so distraught but she is actually calmly swimming. I'm trying not to be too optimistic but I'm cautiously hopeful.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Hope all turns out well.