Prolapsed Vent on Four Year Old Silver Appleyard Duck - Extended Care

[3bird]

I tube fed my duck Plantain 3 times daily for a month, and for her and me it was the right choice. She had barely eaten for over 24 hours, only about 3 mealworms total - she rejected all other foods. She was getting wobbly, lethargic, appeared to be in pain, was dehydrated, and within 30 minutes of the vets tube feeding her she was 80% better. Her eyes just suddenly opened more and her symptoms, which I thought were illness, went away. Now I believe those symptoms were caused by dehydration/not enough calories. She was still sick, which was causing her anorexia.

The vet sent me home with the red catheter, syringes, and Emeraid formula. Most people here use Kaytee baby bird formula. I think the Emeraid is thinner - so easier to push down, and higher in calories, but you can only buy it from a vet. I bought more syringes on Amazon so I could use a new one everytime. The plungers get sticky with use, and I felt that a smooth delivery was important.

For my duck Thimbleberry we did things differently. Because she had terminal inoperable cancer and was in a lot of pain I decided to have her euthanized at our vets when she stopped eating. I considered stronger pain meds and tube feeding but decided it would be for my benefit and not hers.

Tube feeding can be really stressful and emotionally challenging. I got pretty good at it, but it never became a stress free procedure. When considering the stress for Plantain I just remembered all the stress free minutes she had during the day.

If you do it I recommend wearing a headlamp like hikers use to see down Mouse's throat. That was very helpful for me. The vets have those high powered lights to assist them. And after inserting the tube put your hand on her chest for a moment to feel her breathing. If she is breathing you'll know you have the tube placed correctly.

Just to be clear, we're fully onboard (well 95% onboard, when we consider the underlying issue) with tube feeding, and we have our vet's go ahead. Unfortunately that go-ahead did not arrive until COB Friday of a holiday weekend. The only impediment--the only reason we have not tried tube feeding--is because we don't have a feeding tube.

Mouse remains well hydrated (she drinks readily and often while in the tub and sometimes from her bowl when out of the tub), but she has eaten precious little. She is still pooping. She is, however, very weak, but we are not getting signals that she is in pain or terribly uncomfortable. She would like to be outside with the flock more, but weather is not cooperating.

Thanks again for all your helpful advice!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@3bird The only reason I mentioned the book was because there is no vet around here who will treat birds. I didn't get any info out of it to help my ducks. In other words I had be the vet.

 

[KaleIAm]

Just to be clear, we're fully onboard (well 95% onboard, when we consider the underlying issue) with tube feeding, and we have our vet's go ahead. Unfortunately that go-ahead did not arrive until COB Friday of a holiday weekend. The only impediment--the only reason we have not tried tube feeding--is because we don't have a feeding tube.

Mouse remains well hydrated (she drinks readily and often while in the tub and sometimes from her bowl when out of the tub), but she has eaten precious little. She is still pooping. She is, however, very weak, but we are not getting signals that she is in pain or terribly uncomfortable. She would like to be outside with the flock more, but weather is not cooperating.

Thanks again for all your helpful advice!

My pleasure. I hope it didn't seem like I was trying to either persuade or discourage you. When you wrote, "talk to me about tube feeding," I thought I would share what I know, why I know it, and also empathize about the emotional challenges.

My understanding is that dehydration can occur from not eating enough. Even if one drinks large amounts of water they can become dehydrated. I don't fully understand the concept, so please try to look it up/ask your vet. It has something to do with salts and electrolytes in food. Plantain was drinking a lot, yet was dehydrated. I have also experienced this in my own body when doing a long water fast. This doesn't mean that Mouse is dehydrated. I just thought I would mention it. If her vet says she's not then I'm sure she's not.

My vet checks for hydration in physical exams by using her thumb pad to gently raise my duck's eyelid. If the eyelid snaps back quickly my duck is probably hydrated. If the eyelid is slow to go back my duck is likely dehydrated.

I know people have used the aquarium airline tubing, but I would be apprehensive to use that myself. Do you have an emergency vet who is opened over the weekend who might sell you a tube?

 

[3bird]

@3bird The only reason I mentioned the book was because there is no vet around here who will treat birds. I didn't get any info out of it to help my ducks. In other words I had be the vet.

Yes, but it sounds like a great book nonetheless. Thank you!

 

[3bird]

My pleasure. I hope it didn't seem like I was trying to either persuade or discourage you. When you wrote, "talk to me about tube feeding," I thought I would share what I know, why I know it, and also empathize about the emotional challenges.

My understanding is that dehydration can occur from not eating enough. Even if one drinks large amounts of water they can become dehydrated. I don't fully understand the concept, so please try to look it up/ask your vet. It has something to do with salts and electrolytes in food. Plantain was drinking a lot, yet was dehydrated. I have also experienced this in my own body when doing a long water fast. This doesn't mean that Mouse is dehydrated. I just thought I would mention it. If her vet says she's not then I'm sure she's not.

My vet checks for hydration in physical exams by using her thumb pad to gently raise my duck's eyelid. If the eyelid snaps back quickly my duck is probably hydrated. If the eyelid is slow to go back my duck is likely dehydrated.

I know people have used the aquarium airline tubing, but I would be apprehensive to use that myself. Do you have an emergency vet who is opened over the weekend who might sell you a tube?

Thanks. Nobody within a couple hours can sell us a feeding tube. We started looking late Friday when we got the go ahead from our vet. I think she assumed we had a tube (we have a pretty robust animal first aid kit). We've tried all the emergency vets, and they either don't have what we need or can't sell it without an appointment with the vet on Tuesday due to liability. So it's quite frustrating.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's too bad. How is she doing tonight?
Did you say your vet doesn't carry what you need for tube feeding?

 

[3bird]

That's too bad. How is she doing tonight?
Did you say your vet doesn't carry what you need for tube feeding?

That's correct....or if they do, it needs to be prescribed by the vet. There was only a receptionist available Saturday morning to distribute meds (we needed more antibiotics and pain meds).

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you ever need any supplies go to the internet you can buy all the tube feeding equipment you need. Even antibiotics.

How is Mouse today?

 

[3bird]

If you ever need any supplies go to the internet you can buy all the tube feeding equipment you need. Even antibiotics.

How is Mouse today?

Yes. But when it's after COB on a long holiday weekend, even the Internet doesn't help. :-(

She is outside now enjoying the feeling of the sun, the sound of the songbirds and the company of her friends. It's supposed to get into the low 70s today, so we're going to let her stay out most of the day (we'll bring her in for midday meds and a swim in the tub).

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s a great update!!