Runner Duck ate a grape

[ChickiKat]

In humans who swallow something that is too large esophageal spasms can occur. Hopefully that is all your little friend is experiencing.... Sending good vibes your way!

 

[Amiga]

Wow, ducks sometimes get themselves into such trouble with the strangest things! I am sorry to hear this.

As I wrote in the PM, it may be that the sugar jolt affected him. Right now it occurs to me that there may coincidentally be something else that happened to him or in him during all this. Might you check again for any signs of infection or wound or swelling?

How warm is it where you are?

When Drei was very ill, I could usually get her to eat at least one slug, her favorite protein food. Offering him some protein might help, and keep him drinking as much as you can.

I don't know how possible it might be to get him into a tub or large bucket of clean water to see if he'll perk up a little.

If you want to help expedite the passing of what he's eaten, Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks explains treatment of a duck if it's eaten poisoned food:

confine him to a clean, shady yard or building and immediately provide fresh drinking water with a laxative added - either 1 pint of molasses or 1 pound of Epsom salts per 5 gallons of water.

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It has been overnight already, though. . .

Before you do anything, I'm hoping we hear from you, that he's perked up at least a little bit.

 

[rubberdog]

I'm going to ck. on him now, if nothing has changed I'm going to call someone to come to help me catch him (yes it's that hard) - I'll bring him to where I work to have a vet look at him (even though they don't know anything about ducks) he pooped this morning but it was clear/yellowish not the usual.
I'm not sure what protein I can get him to eat unless I can dig up some worms or cook an egg and give him the white - I'm not near any pet stores that would have meal worms,etc.

 

[Amiga]

Can you get a little dry cat kibble? Or maybe a feeder fish? Well, let's be glad he is passing something. I'll try to not get ahead of myself here.

 

[rubberdog]

ok,
Went to two stores to look for something enticing to a duck and struck out, went home, he was in his spot under the chicken coop ramp, both females were with him, I ran the hose on the ground so it would at least be wet (it's 87 degrees and sunny), filled a flat pan with cold water, ice, grit and chopped lettuce, both females went over, he joined and was standing in the pan drinking when I left, I have to watch from the house with binoculars because if he knows I'm looking he freezes...I spoke with the woman I got them from, she advised to let it be for a while longer as bringing him in would cause too much stress, also he just doesn't feel good at this point and it's good he isn't eating so nothing else gets caught up on the grape if it is trying to work it's way out.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Amiga]

Poor guy. Hard to imagine one grape making him feel so poorly. Does he have shade other than the ramp? Could you set up a little tent or something for him? When it's above 70F, Storey's Guide says, ducks need plenty of cool fresh water and shade.

Do they have a kiddie pool? That's a real blessing in warm weather - helps keep them healthy.

 

[rubberdog]

Yes they have a big pool, another pool that's big enough for 1 duck to fit in, two drinking containers and plenty of shade - under the chicken coop ramp is where he tends to rest anyway so that isn't anything new - it's supposed to rain today, I hope it does

 

[Amiga]

Okay, great - it's difficult for me to get a picture of the setup sometimes. Sounds like you're doing all you can, maybe even more!

Ducks can be hard to figure out. May he continue to improve. I just keep wondering what else he got into just before or just after he ate that grape. . . .

 

[rubberdog]

Hi, Looks like my duck is on the mend, Mon. night when I got home from work he was leaning against the fence, (it was 95 degrees), I picked him up and his head was hanging down like it was made of rubber, I floated him in his pool for a while and got him to drink - I spoke with a couple of vets well into the night, one advising tube feeding, one saying not to tube feed...
I decided to not tube feed, he may have had an esophageal tear, I did syringe feed a light meal of blended veggies, I fed the same again yesterday AM, at noon I went home with the intent of starting antibiotics and pain meds, he ran from me (good sign), I didn't do the meds, I made a slurry of different veggies and pellets, he was eating and drinking - by this morning he was guarding his ladies and quacking around the yard, final veterinary diagnosis was severe sore throat from grabbing the grape down, exacerbated by extreme heat and dehydration. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again to everyone who helped.

 

[crj]

Great to hear he is doing better.