Panting, exaggerated breaths, clavamox

[Ashleywaddle]

Hi. I acquired 2 ducklings from some teenagers last night who got them but didn't know how to care for them. I noticed one of them does some serious panting everytime it lays down, the poop is watery and definitely not like the other ones. And when he stops panting to sleep, his breaths are very deep. Much more than the other one. I've heard him sneeze a few times too and can hear his breathing, when I can't hear the other ones. Other than that it seems fine. Cleans itself, eats, drinks. I do a lot of critical care rescues so I'm familiar with and have on hand antibiotics and such, but ducks are completely new to me. I am definitely taking these little ones into the vet but can't get in for another week. Can I give ducks clavamox to help with a cold? Uri? Viral infection?

 

[-Isla June-]

I'm not familiar with ducks, but here are some mentions I keep them busy haha!
@Kiki @sourland @MysteryChicken @Dr Evy

 

[MysteryChicken]

Ducks, & medication aren't my expertise.

 

[Kiki]

Hi. I acquired 2 ducklings from some teenagers last night who got them but didn't know how to care for them. I noticed one of them does some serious panting everytime it lays down, the poop is watery and definitely not like the other ones. And when he stops panting to sleep, his breaths are very deep. Much more than the other one. I've heard him sneeze a few times too and can hear his breathing, when I can't hear the other ones. Other than that it seems fine. Cleans itself, eats, drinks. I do a lot of critical care rescues so I'm familiar with and have on hand antibiotics and such, but ducks are completely new to me. I am definitely taking these little ones into the vet but can't get in for another week. Can I give ducks clavamox to help with a cold? Uri? Viral infection?

Can you take a clear video of the two ducklings and how they are acting right now and upload it to YouTube?

 

[Ashleywaddle]

Right now they are acting fine. Played in water dish and are now cleaning themselves. But whenever one goes to lay down it does this foe about 5 min before settling down.

 

[Ashleywaddle]

It's not letting me upload a video?

Ohhh youtube.YouTube.. didn't finish reading. Ok

 

[Ashleywaddle]

 

[Ashleywaddle]

It's not letting me upload a video?

this is it after it finished cleaning itself

 

[Quatie]

So there could be a few things going on. One is it looks like a Pekin and they have a tendency to overheat easily. So it could just be panting from overheating, not all will always do this. This also seems likely, because of the watery poops. They usually drink a bunch more water to stay cool.

Another thing is, the ducklings likely didn't have deep water to clean their nares and eyes in, and Pekin are the not the best at it either. I would give them a warm bath for them to swim in. It will encourage cleaning and they will have a ton of fun. Just be sure to dry them off after you take them out.

Also, I don't know what they were being feed, so I would offer them some chick grit I case they have something that could potentially clog them up.

Lastly, they unlikely we're getting enough naicin. While this may not cause any of the symptoms you are seeing, Pekin need more than any other breed. I would assume they could need supplementing before you see issues. Here is a good link on naicin deficiency and how to prevent it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.75862/

 

[ruthhope]

So there could be a few things going on. One is it looks like a Pekin and they have a tendency to overheat easily. So it could just be panting from overheating, not all will always do this. This also seems likely, because of the watery poops. They usually drink a bunch more water to stay cool.

Another thing is, the ducklings likely didn't have deep water to clean their nares and eyes in, and Pekin are the not the best at it either. I would give them a warm bath for them to swim in. It will encourage cleaning and they will have a ton of fun. Just be sure to dry them off after you take them out.

Also, I don't know what they were being feed, so I would offer them some chick grit I case they have something that could potentially clog them up.

Lastly, they unlikely we're getting enough naicin. While this may not cause any of the symptoms you are seeing, Pekin need more than any other breed. I would assume they could need supplementing before you see issues. Here is a good link on naicin deficiency and how to prevent it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.75862/

As @Quatie said ^ ^ ^
plus "no" to the clavamox. Just ensure adequate nutrition including niacin; water in a container deep enough for the ducklings to submerge their bills and faces. They will likely enjoy luke-warm baths -- but not over warm!!! Just take the edge off the cold water from your tap. The video of them preening shows them both behaving very normally for such new lives.