My duckling fell on his back and can't move!

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tha
Jennn27 said:
We had something similar to this happen to one of our babies.  They were just a few weeks old and one slipped and hit his head. He was kinda out of it a for a few days, had a hard time walking. But, he eventually pulled through and now is back to normal!  This was a few weeks ago.   I would just keep a really close watch on him and keep trying to make sure he eats and drinks normally.  You may want to keep him alone with a stuffie to snuggle with for a couple of days.   That way he won't have the other ducks messing with him, or walking on him.  

I'm sorry this happened.  I hope he pulls through and does great!
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Thank you this is reassuring! Our female is very wild and is stomping all over him, but when we separate them she goes into major distress and he cries. I am trying keep them together. And I usually give them a bath every night, and I was wondering if I should tonight? would it be good for him to try and kick his legs if I hold him, or should he just rest? Thank you again!
 
I have read online that you should not have them near water while they still can not move good...but if you hold on to him the whole time he should be good
 
BecBettencourt said:
tha
Thank you this is reassuring! Our female is very wild and is stomping all over him, but when we separate them she goes into major distress and he cries. I am trying keep them together. And I usually give them a bath every night, and I was wondering if I should tonight? would it be good for him to try and kick his legs if I hold him, or should he just rest? Thank you again!
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Try separating them in a way that they can still see each other, with some kind of divider, if you can. I don't see where taking a bath would hurt him if you held on to him. I wouldn't just let him go, though, not if he might have a head injury.

Good luck!
 
Yes, you really need to keep the injured guy separate so he isn't injured further by mom and siblings trampling him. Can you put up a divider of some kind so they can all still see each other? I don't think you should have him swimming either, he needs to rest until he's more stable. Also, you can make him a "donut" to sit in so he can stay upright and comfortable. Roll up a small towel into a horseshoe shape and place him in there so it gives support on his sides and chest where he can reach his food and water. Hopefully he'll stay in there and be able to rest a bit without flailing and falling over. Keep things calm and quiet where he is so he's not disturbed, and give him all his favorite treats and vitamins in his water to keep him eating and give him energy. Hopefully he'll pull through! Good luck!

Edit: Tried to find a pic of a donut so you can see what I mean, but this was the closest thing. So kind of like this, but made with an actual towel:
 
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I don't have any type of divider, and the female is staying off of him for now. This morning he is doing a little better. He can stand on his own but still can't balance. He is trying to walk but doesn't get far. He can get to his food, water and bed on his own. I think he is getting better, he is trying to do everything on his own but he definitely needs help. Nothing seems broken; I think he might of pulled a muscle and is just unsure about it. When he walks he usually falls on his butt so I'm thinking he pulled a stomach muscle; because he can still do everything just not walk steadily.
 
Another thing to try is put 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a pint of warm (80F) water in a dish so that the water level is a little deeper than his legs. Hold him so that you have his legs only in the solution. If you can gently hold him as if your hands are a basket, with his legs dangling between your fingers and he cannot flop out, let his legs splash in the Epsom salt water for five minutes. Try that twice a day - if it is a sprain, it will help greatly.

Also - Epsom salt is a laxative, do not let him drink the water. You may even want to rinse his legs and belly when you are done.
 
I will try the Epsom salt! thank you so much! I've just noticed when he stands on his own his stance in very broad. Like he is almost doing the splits! what does that mean?
 

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