Need Help ASAP

[Miss Lydia]

That would be so awesome if she would help you. I hope it works out. Just keep up with what your doing. Bless this little one hope he gets some comfort in his mirror.

 

[Salixx]

A little update:

I did not get a chance to call the wildlife rehaber yesterday and realized this a bit late in the day. So I decided to put my big girl pants on and try the syringe again. I have been so afraid of hurting him but it’s to the point where I know the alternative is death.

I got about two syringes of the egg milk into him last night in addition to his “voluntary” feedings. This morning I added a save a chick solution to his antibiotic syringe and got that in him. He is pooping regularly even though it’s small amounts so I know he’s drinking on his own a bit. He doesn’t care for save a chick so I am using a very diluted amount in his regular water but I know it’s not enough which is why I’m trying to supplement.

He is obviously still hanging in there. He can walk around okay but it’s become apparent that the lack of eating is making him weak. I have to work a bit this morning but my afternoon mission is to hunt for a proper feeding tube and see if I can find the Kaytee baby bird food or a similar mix. Most the stores I’ve check both locally and online are out. I have some on order from Chewy but that could take a couple days to get here.

He is very attached to his reflection at this point. I also dug around my dog’s toys to see if I had anything duck like until I can get out this afternoon. I came up with a purple platypus which he seems very happy to snuggle with. It would be very cute under different circumstances.

This may be a little soon but how long after I get him to start eating again can I start looking for some friends for him? I don’t want to risk other ducklings getting what he got but I also don’t want him to be lonely and depressed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd give it at least a couple of weeks from the time he is up and going good. You can always get friends just don't put them together yet.Just hearing another duckling may cheer him up. That's great he likes his reflection in the mirror, bless his heart. And a snuggly platypus.
Proud of you for getting some nourishment into him last night.
Good luck in finding feeding tube and baby bird food. Did you say the vets didn't have the equipment?

 

[Salixx]

I tried calling the vet this morning but they were busy. I found found some baby bird hand feeding formula the next state over and also got softer, silicone medical tubing. I beveled the edges and then flamed it to round them. Only problem is that the irrigation syringes I have don’t fit so I am going to go out and find smaller tipped ones.

When I check on him he was preening himself a little bit which he hasn’t done since the day his first flockmate died. He unfortunately pooped on platypus. I’ll have to find another friend so I can wash it.

I’ll have to keep my eye out on Craigslist for older ducklings for when he’s feeling better. I live in a tiny house so there’s no room for more to be kept separate in the house. Maybe I can find a good YouTube video of ducklings cheeping.

 

[Miss Lydia]

There ya go happy duck peeps might just help. Bless your heart you have had a time finding stuff . I don't even bother looking around here any longer just order online . But I learned the hard way not to be prepared. As many of us have. Every little Improvement sure helps, doesn't it. Wonderful to hear of improvements. Thankfully I keep a box of stuffs just for my birds so when one gets pooped on I have a spare .

 

[indianaducks]

You might be able to buy cheap dog or cat stuffed toys in clearance sections at pet stores in case you want a few to rotate through during cleanings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thrift stores always have a variety of stuffed animals

 

[Salixx]

I forgot to check tractor supply while I was there getting the right size syringe and had no luck at the other stores I stopped out. Thankfully it was a fresher poop so mister platypus was fairly easy to rinse off.

The medical tubing worked well. With a little cooking oil it slid down easily. I gave him about 5cc save a chick mix and waited 15 minutes until he pooped before giving 5cc of baby bird formula. I know that’s not a whole lot but I didn’t want to shock his system.

I assume he wore himself out fighting me as he seems weaker than normal and passed out right after I put him back in his crate. Still breathing okay and his crop looks full. I’m 99% sure I didn’t aspirate him but I am a nervous momma - is that fairly normal with a little one as weak as this?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think you’d have known right off if it didn’t go down the right hole. Hopefully he’s just worn out and will recover after resting

 

[Salixx]

Unfortunately the little one passed in my arms tonight. Thank you for everyone that helped.