Pekin duck acting "off" , UPDATED 1/22/11

[yomama]

Just thought I would let you all know that Pickles took a turn for the better last evening!

She starting eating yogurt with oats and when I put her in the tub, she was acting crazy and wild, like she used to out in her pond! Her poop has started getting darker and less runny too. She must of known that I made an appointment to have her euthanized! I decided to not have her put down today, and see how she does over the next couple of days. Hopefully it is not just wishful thinking, but I thought I should at least give her some more time, since she is making an effort to eat and play.

 

[Miss Lydia]

.............Hooray for pickles so happy to hear it. Keep us updated on her recovery okay...

 

[TajMahalChickens]

Hooray! keep it up Pickles!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hows Pickles doing tonight?

 

[yomama]

Thanks so much everyone for your concern. She is doing good. She has been eating cracked corn and yogurt w/ oats. Not the ideal diet, but it's calories. I'm going to let her swim in the tub later tonight. Hopefully she keeps improving. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thats wonderful, prayers answered. yes please keep us updated.

 

[yomama]

Just thought I would throw out an update for all those that were, and are, interested in Pickles progress. She is doing well. I actually had contemplated having her euthanized a few times, but for some reason kept giving her more chances. She never acted like she was getting worse, so I felt guilty for not giving her more time. Anyway, after numerous phone calls with the vet, (my poor vet.

)it was decided that if she stopped eating and more importantly pooping, then we would end it. However, just this past week, Pickles actually started eating her regular layer feed, instead of just the Romain lettuce and sunflower seeds that I had only been able to get her to eat. I had Pickles on a medication called Lactulose. It works as a laxative to keep her digestive tract on track. The dr said that once she starts slowing down and not pooping, it is almost impossible to get her digestive tract back and most likely we would have to euthanize. Unfortunately Pickles hates me even looking at her wrong, let alone trying to shoot some liquid down her throat everynight! Thankfully, the dr said that if I could get her to eat a prune a day, it would be almost as effective as the lactulose. Anyway, today I was finally able to let her back outside with the rest of the flock (5 other hens, chickens, not ducks). She loved it! She instantly started rooting around in the mud and having a great time being a duck. Of course, most of the hens had to show Pickles that they were boss, I mean Pickles was in the house for about 3 weeks! It was so funny though. She ignored the chickens until they bothered her. Then she put THEM in their place! Anytime one of the girls would peck at her, Pickles would grab them by the side of the neck and push them backwards like a bulldozer, until they ran away or she felt it was good enough. I'm so glad she didn't put up with anyones stuff. I've never seen a duck defend themselves like that either, it was really neat to see. It only took about 30 minutes, and it was like they were all buddies again. Now they are all in the coop together. So anyway, as long as she eats her prunes, she (hopefully) will be ok. Keep your fingers crossed

Thanks for listening!

 

[Miss Lydia]

yomama, such good news I about cried. You were so good to wait and give her the chance she needed and it paid off. So happy for you both. yippee for Pickles

 

[sandracollins]

So glad pickles is doing well, my call duck( we called him Lance after Lance Armstrong because he survived against all odds)is doing really well. Like you when I put him back with the rest he improved straight away . The only thing he won't do is swim we think it's because his chest is not waterproof because of the scab so we just wash him in clean water everyday as he gets very dirty doing ducky things.well done for being such a good mum and not giving up on Pickles

 

[jason_mazzy]

How is pickles today?