Oh no! I think our Runner duckling is getting sick!

[aduckstolemyheart]

One of our ducklings, Skillet, is under the weather.

I picked him up yesterday, and he threw up. I didn't worry too much, because I know if you startle a duckling, or accidentally put too much pressure on their crop, they can throw up. Well today, he is sneezing a bit, and shaking his head. He seems a little less active than normal, but not lethargic or anything.

What should I do? Any help appreciated!

 

[gofasterstripe]

Take him in and keep him warm and give him some PoliViSol or somehting like that. Im sure some peas might pick him up a bit too. Hope hes feeling better soon.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

We still have the babies inside in their brooder/pen thing with the heat lamp on them when it's chilly or when I have the air running. So he is nice and warm. What is PoliViSol? I guess I can Google that though! And peas, we always have peas! They are about 4 weeks old, should I still mash them or give them normally?

 

[USMCwifey]

Quote:
You can give them the peas normal, just make sure they aren't still frozen

Hope your duckling feels better!

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Quote:
Thank you! We always thaw ours in hot water before we give it to them. I usually just give my big ducks the big bowl with water and thawed peas and they love "bobbing" for them.

However I will probably just thaw and drain for the babies.

I hope he feels better too. I am worried.

 

[FenDruadin]

Polyvisol is just infant vitamins--you can get them at the drug store and they come with a convenient dropper. They provide a boost to anyone's immune system and are easy to administer directly or in water.

If he's in with other ducklings, separate him for now in another brooder. Some diseases of the respiratory system can be very dangerous and contagious. Clean out the old brooder so any other ducklings are not in contact with potentially contagious material.

If symptoms worsen, consider administering an antibiotic. Respiratory illness in birds can be very serious, but are often highly treatable with an antibiotic. Others here can give better advice than I on your best options, as I've thankfully never had to do this.

If other birds begin to demonstrate symptoms, then an antibiotic is almost certainly called for--for the entire flock.

Of course all the standard advice of keeping him warm (give him something to cuddle with if you separate him), fed, and dry are important.

Good luck and I hope he feels better soon!

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Thanks Iamccuriositycat!

He is in with our other three ducklings right now. I can move him into our sick crate easilly enough, but I know he will freak out. All of them go insane when one is separated. Will they settle down eventually if I remove him?

We just cleaned their brooder about 2 hours ago and put down the remainder of our bedding in there. I am headed to the feed store this afternoon for a new bag of shavings, so I can separate them then.

While I am there, I also intended to grab more duck feed. The only starter feed there, is medicated and has Ampro. Should I just grab that instead of game bird as it has the antibiotic?

I do have some experience with respiratory illnesses, as my oldest drake gets seasonal colds. We usually run up to our avian vet and she gives us Baytril for him. But I have no idea how to treat any of that in ducklings! All my ducklings and other ducks are always fine.

Really appreciate the advice! He is just now starting to act like he might be sick, and I am sure a lot of people would never even have noticed, but I keep a close eye on my birds. My husband thinks I am over reacting, but they are just babies, and I have heard of ducklings going downhill fast!

 

[FenDruadin]

Separating them is so hard, and it's really a personal call. Stress can exacerbate problems, and the others have probably been exposed already anyway... but then maybe they haven't. Make the call that makes sense to you (I know, that's helpful, right? lol).

If you can Baytril, I'd go with that. The antibiotics in feed are generally intended as a prophylactic and are probably in lower doses, not intended for treating an infection that has already set in. But I am no vet, that's just my gut feeling on it. Maybe someone here can provide more help--I'm not speaking for experience, just what I read in Holderread & what my instinct would be... Do you have the kind of relationship with your avian vet that you can call and just ask advice? I'd go ahead and do that especially because it's almost the weekend...

Good luck!

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Our vet will give us medication without seeing my adult duck, however it was after an initial visit, and she already had his weight in her chart. She probably would not just give us the meds for the baby unless we could accurately weigh him. Not sure how to go about that... Could try though. I know I can call and ask her. She really has little experience with ducks, but birds are her specialty, so she is a head above the rest of the vets we've seen!

Again, thanks for the advice!

 

[DuckiesAndBees]

We always weighed our rabbits by holding them and getting on the digital scale, getting on without the rabbit, and subtracting to get the animal's weight. Works with ducks too, just remember that your weight is on trial too