Penguin seems sick

[KaleIAm]

Okay, so we are out of the vet, and Penguin is still in very bad shape. They diagnosed them with "Lethargy" for now, I got X-rays and they did not find anything notable in the x-ray, and I also got some lab tests that will be in tomorrow that should give a little more information. The doctor mentioned that it could possibly be avian influenza, but also a variety of other things. He wanted me to pay $270 for an influenza test, but he told me that if it came back positive he would have to put them down so I did not do the test. I got an anti parasidic/antibiotic, as well as an anti inflammatory pain medicine for them. I gave them both their first dose of each and puffin took them very well, but Penguin is really struggling with them, she got a big dose of the antibiotic and she is having a very hard time getting it down, seems to be sort of choking on it I am keeping a close eye on her. I also got some food to tube feed, but they just gave me a big syringe for it with no actual tube. One of the tubes I have here might fit but if not I will have to go get another. I watched a few videos and went through the tube feeding thread, but the main thing I am still unclear on is 1. Just how far down the throat is the tube supposed to go? And 2. How fast is it meant to be done? Like how fast do you bring down the plunger on the syringe.

1) From how my vet demonstrated the tube is supposed to go all the way down to almost the bottom of their crop. Instead of guessing each time I measured (with the tube) on the outside of my duck from the tip of her bill to almost the bottom of her crop. Then I wrapped some tape around the tube where the tip of her bill was so I knew when to stop. I tube fed 2-3 times a day for a month and it worked great. My duck eventually passed away from internal laying, and her necropsy showed no aspiration.

2) my duck was getting 70mls of food. I pushed the plunger fast enough so that all the food was in her in about 2-3 minutes.

 

[SolarDuck]

She looks really sick, but she is holding her head up, so not unresponsive. What worries me is the open-mouth breathing. Did the vet comment on that?

The vet did not make a comment on that but it has been open since yesterday

 

[Canadian Wind]

The poor baby. It's absolutely heart breaking to see her like that. I really hope things work out soon. *hugs from one ducky daddy to another*

 

[SolarDuck]

@casportpony do you think that the open mouth is too concerning to do the tube feeding? They definitely didn't mention the mouth at all.

 

[casportpony]

The tube I just used is 15.5" and it was inserted so that the 12" mark was at the tip of her bill.

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony do you think that the open mouth is too concerning to do the tube feeding? They definitely didn't mention the mouth at all.

Did she start before tubing yesterday or right after?

 

[SolarDuck]

The tube I just used is 15.5" and it was inserted so that the 12" mark was at the tip of her bill.

For a female scovy?? Wow okay yeah that is way deeper than I was thinking.

Did she start before tubing yesterday or right after?

Honestly I'm not 100% sure it could have been after

 

[SolarDuck]

I wanna say it was maybe when she puked

 

[casportpony]

For a female scovy?? Wow okay yeah that is way deeper than I was thinking.

Yes, adult female. Inset the tube gently until it stops, then back it up about 1/2".

 

[SolarDuck]

Yes, adult female. Inset the tube gently until it stops, then back it up about 1/2".

Alright so I should do it even though her mouth is open like that?? Buying the tube now