Pekin Duck weak and panting. Not sure what’s wrong?

[marybowman]

We have two 2 year old Pekin Ducks left. We lost 2 to a fox in the past couple of weeks. Now one of the two is sick. A couple of days ago I noticed this duck was being a bit lethargic but it was the day after we lost one to the fox and I thought she was depressed or scared (idk if ducks even do that). She still was eating, drinking, swimming and playing around the yard. Yesterday she seemed pretty normal too but I noticed she looked thinner. Today she looks terrible. She is very weak and is panting a bit. She will walk a few steps, kind of wobbly (looks like from weakness) then lays down. Sometimes she will have her wings out a little. We put her in the duck house and tried to offer some molasses water. No interest. I don’t know much about ducks and not sure what to try. The only thing that might be noteworthy is that they have recently been using the treated pond on the property and exploring outside our backyard more. They especially like digging in the mulch pile. The pond is treated with something blue to help with algae. I assumed it was safe for animals though and there are tons of Canadian geese that use the pond. Thanks for the help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Has she been laying eggs sounds like it may be egg bound?

 

[marybowman]

Has she been laying eggs sounds like it may be egg bound?

I’m not really sure. Their egg laying has been kind of inconsistent and we aren’t really regular about our collecting times. I got 2 out of the house yesterday. Could have been from 2 days of other duck...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can you examine her? look at her vent is it pulsing is there any discharge? you can palpate down gently around her lower belly you may feel an egg if one is stuck down low.

Some things to try if you think egg bound give extra calcium liquid is a good idea or tums if you have them crush and mix into a bowl of crushed up peas or dried mealworms just enough treat that she'll eat at one time, warm water soaks can help them relax to where they may pass an egg. But being egg bound can kill them if they can't pass it. So if vet is possible I'd go that direction if all else fails. But I'd try all today if this has been going on longer than a day or 2.

 

[ThePaulsRanch]

Have you given her vitamin B? We had 2 ducklings that were very sick from being in a feed store too long. We gave them vitamin B shots and they perked up. You can buy a vitamin B12 from the store and crush up a tablet in their water, or go to a vet store and buy the shot. We got our vitamin B liquid- a bottle of it- for about 3 dollars.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is an adult duck and yes leg issues can still be happening for a niacin def but it usually shows up a lot sooner than 2 yrs.
B complex is still good to give no matter but I am more concerned this duck maybe egg bound so OP needs to check to make sure.

 

[marybowman]

Well she passed. Could being egg bound kill them fast?

 

[ThePaulsRanch]

Oh Mary! I am so sorry. That is never easy to loose one of your pets. Being egg bound can kill quickly.

 

[marybowman]

Very sad. Always feel bad when I can’t help one or don’t notice an issue in time. Poor duck. And poor lone duck that’s left. Do you think it would be best to rehome, or try to get some ducklings/goslings or older duck or what? The others all grew up together.

 

[marybowman]

Ok there were 2 eggs in there since yesterday and her vent looked normal and husband felt around and didn’t feel anything hard. So maybe not egg bound?