Donnalovesducks
Hatching
- Apr 11, 2020
- 3
- 7
- 9
Hi All,
We had two Pekins named Duct and Tape. Duct was a male, Tape is female, both about 10 months. They were raised together as ducklings, very bonded and very popular on FB!
We enjoyed them so much. About two weeks ago, Duct suffered a leg injury. The tendon on the joint between one leg and foot was dislocated. It was very painful and he couldn't walk. The vet believed it might have been an issue he was born with and it just gave, but whatever the cause, surgery was the only option. The vet planned to make a small incision and tie the tendon in place. He believed there was an 80 percent chance this would be successful long-term.
Duct went in for surgery this past Thursday, April 9. The surgery itself went great and his leg was repaired, but as they were sewing him up, he crashed. His heart rate suddenly dropped and they lost him. I can't tell you how devastated we are. Shocked, bewildered and just so sad. Now our concern is Tape.
Of course, she has called and looked for him. It's been so heartbreaking to watch. Overall, though, she seems okay. She is eating and laying normally. She's doing normal activities like getting in the pool, using the duck house and bug hunting in the yard. It's SO hard seeing her alone, though. She and Duct were together all the time. I have noticed she sometimes holds her mouth open as she's walking and also bobs her head and stretches her neck some. I had not noticed this behavior before we lost Duct and don't know what it means.
We have two Pekin ducklings just a couple of weeks old, if that much. I know they'll grow fast, but it will still be awhile before they can go out. Tape does know they're here and shows some interest. We're wondering if we should find an adult duck, though, to join her sooner instead of later.
We are definitely spending time with her, plus our dogs and cat have kept her company outside, like they always have. She seems to enjoy them being around. She's also allowed to wander in and out of the house with them, so she's not alone and isolated. But while we can't replace Duct, we know she needs another duck friend. Since she seems to be doing alright, should we just wait until the ducklings are bigger in a few weeks or should we try to find a companion closer to her age now?
If we should try to find an adult duck, where to begin? There aren't any rescues or adoption sites near me - that I know of. I've posted on local community boards with no luck. Same for pet adoption websites. I'm in Georgia, out in the country, about 25 miles north of Atlanta. If someone has a duck not fitting in with is flock and might be happier elsewhere, we'd love to meet it!
Any advice on how to help Tape through this time? Like I said, overall, she seems to be adjusting, but it's only been a couple of days and I can't really tell what she's feeling. Her calling and searching has slowed down and she's chilling out in the duck area right now, seemingly contented. I just hate so much this happened. All we wanted to do was give Duct a better life so he could go back to doing all the fun and happy things normal ducks do. There was NO reason to think he'd have complications. The vet who performed the surgery is excellent with decades of experience in treating animals of this type. He was heartbroken when he called me. Said helping animals like Duct was why he got up in the morning. I know it was a hard phone call to make. Duct needed the surgery - I don't second guess the decision, nor do I blame the vet. It was just one of those flukey things where everything suddenly turned upside-down. I hate it so much.
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you.
We had two Pekins named Duct and Tape. Duct was a male, Tape is female, both about 10 months. They were raised together as ducklings, very bonded and very popular on FB!
We enjoyed them so much. About two weeks ago, Duct suffered a leg injury. The tendon on the joint between one leg and foot was dislocated. It was very painful and he couldn't walk. The vet believed it might have been an issue he was born with and it just gave, but whatever the cause, surgery was the only option. The vet planned to make a small incision and tie the tendon in place. He believed there was an 80 percent chance this would be successful long-term. Duct went in for surgery this past Thursday, April 9. The surgery itself went great and his leg was repaired, but as they were sewing him up, he crashed. His heart rate suddenly dropped and they lost him. I can't tell you how devastated we are. Shocked, bewildered and just so sad. Now our concern is Tape.
Of course, she has called and looked for him. It's been so heartbreaking to watch. Overall, though, she seems okay. She is eating and laying normally. She's doing normal activities like getting in the pool, using the duck house and bug hunting in the yard. It's SO hard seeing her alone, though. She and Duct were together all the time. I have noticed she sometimes holds her mouth open as she's walking and also bobs her head and stretches her neck some. I had not noticed this behavior before we lost Duct and don't know what it means.
We have two Pekin ducklings just a couple of weeks old, if that much. I know they'll grow fast, but it will still be awhile before they can go out. Tape does know they're here and shows some interest. We're wondering if we should find an adult duck, though, to join her sooner instead of later.
We are definitely spending time with her, plus our dogs and cat have kept her company outside, like they always have. She seems to enjoy them being around. She's also allowed to wander in and out of the house with them, so she's not alone and isolated. But while we can't replace Duct, we know she needs another duck friend. Since she seems to be doing alright, should we just wait until the ducklings are bigger in a few weeks or should we try to find a companion closer to her age now?
If we should try to find an adult duck, where to begin? There aren't any rescues or adoption sites near me - that I know of. I've posted on local community boards with no luck. Same for pet adoption websites. I'm in Georgia, out in the country, about 25 miles north of Atlanta. If someone has a duck not fitting in with is flock and might be happier elsewhere, we'd love to meet it!
Any advice on how to help Tape through this time? Like I said, overall, she seems to be adjusting, but it's only been a couple of days and I can't really tell what she's feeling. Her calling and searching has slowed down and she's chilling out in the duck area right now, seemingly contented. I just hate so much this happened. All we wanted to do was give Duct a better life so he could go back to doing all the fun and happy things normal ducks do. There was NO reason to think he'd have complications. The vet who performed the surgery is excellent with decades of experience in treating animals of this type. He was heartbroken when he called me. Said helping animals like Duct was why he got up in the morning. I know it was a hard phone call to make. Duct needed the surgery - I don't second guess the decision, nor do I blame the vet. It was just one of those flukey things where everything suddenly turned upside-down. I hate it so much.
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you.
