My duckling Ming Ming is very sick(went to vet today)

[sandcat]

About 2 weeks ago I released Ming Ming to be with its family as I felt very guilty keeping him inside and hearing him cry every time he heard his family outside, My partner made me feel bad and a few other things had made me feel guilty enough to risk letting him go for the second time(remembering that i had rescued him twice already) he seemed really happy outside with his family and kept up with them and was accepted by them 100%, i was so pleased until 1 week ago i got up and MM wasnt with the flock, i was so upset and blamed myself because i released him and now he was gone, I prayed to anyone that would listen and i couldnt believe it when MM walked out of the bushes alone, cold and sick. I took him to the vet today and he is on antibiotics and prob has a heart defect thats why he is so small and stunted(he looks like a duckling of 4 weeks old when he is in fact over 12 weeks old) i hope my little Ming Ming will be ok and have a happy enough life inside with us, The vet said if someone found a duckling in MM's state they would put it down but also she said if im prepared to look after him its worth a go so thats what im going to do.

 

[1duckychick]

The little guy's lucky to have found you! A life indoors with good humans to look out for him totally beats his alternative of a couple weeks outside with his fellow ducks, getting sicker and dying! And just think of the upside - this is the perfect excuse to get a brand new fluffy lil duckling to be his companion!

 

[sandcat]

I would love to get him a little friend but then there would be 2 ducks inside, It would be good for MM but bad for another duck, I was so hoping MM could live outside with his family. The vet said he needs to be kept inside as he is very suseptable too infection now

 

[duckyfromoz]

What a lucky duck little Ming Ming is to have you. I have had disabled house ducks- away from those outside and while they take alot of extra care because of their disabilities- it is such a wonderful experience. At least Ming Ming can eat and drink unaided - its just a matter of finding the right housing for inside for this special little one. Currently I have Ollie- who was also very small and slow to grow. He is now nearly fully grown- but is still months behind in development as he is only just having his first molt.

 

[easttxchick]

Poor little Ming Ming.
I'm sorry he/she is having problems-good for you for caring enough to take him/her to the vet.

 

[desertdarlene]

Awww, that's too bad about Ming Ming, but I hope he gets better. We had a mallard duck that is extra small at the lake that does fine and even has a girlfriend. He stopped growing when he got fishing line around his leg while he was a duckling and it got really bad. The line was removed and he continued maturing into his adult colors, but he didn't grow any larger and is the size of a three week old.

 

[nettie]

If you search the forums, there is a duck named Microduck, who is a tiny weeny call.... That might give you sme hope that everything will be fine.

Living indors will help little Ming out greatly. Warmth, and a human to hug him.... He'll soon bond to you, as his care giver. Especially if you use peas to help the process along.

Do you have an ikea anywhere near you? When we had to section off one duck away from others, we made an awesome little house for our duck Norie using some cabinets (or even a wardrobe) from ikea. It was cheap and easy!

If you don't, a pen can easily be made. Home depot and Lowes will both cut wood for you and I can help you with plans to making him a permanent indoor house.

 

[sandcat]

Thanks everyone for your comforting words, and i will be keeping MM as a permanant indoor duck, i need to sort a harness for him/her but might wait to see if he survives. MM doing alot better today but is still very quiet and not eating alot but is eating and drinking every now and then. He has lost alot of weight very fast so hope he fattens up a bit really soon. he has been getting lots of hugs and love, he has been living on the couch with food and water he he he so cute i think he enjoying things for the first time in a while. Thanks Nettie i will be in touch soon.