Saliva & thick breathing

[kristen2678]

I have some three month old ducks and geese with mucus and thick breathing. I can't imagine what could be wrong. Three ducks and one goose are showing symptoms. They are staying away from the pack and have clear mucus they seem to have difficulty clearing. I'm not even sure it's mucus. It's more like saliva. They are on a pond and graze all day. I call them in at night to feed. I noticed this just now when I called them in. Could they have gotten into something? They were in the garden today. Tomatoes?

Help please

 

[Amiga]

Are they shaking their heads?

Walking correctly?

They may have upper respiratory infections and that would require oral or injectable antibiotics.

 

[jdywntr]

The only time I have seen any of mine like this was when 2 of my goslings found their way into the pasture on a hot day and they were away from water. They were stressed and dehydrated.
Could there be a problem with the pond water? Is this a pond that is on your property, a public area, etc? Do other people have access to the pond? Maybe something was dumped/spilled there? If possible, walk around the pond and check it out or test the water.

 

[kristen2678]

It's our pond. They are walking normally but seem a little lethargic. If they weren't on the pond I would say they seem dehydrated but it's impossible. Wondering if I should run for antibiotics in the morning.

 

[Amiga]

I would be prepared to give antibiotics. I would also make sure to get some activated charcoal (not briquettes, but the medicinal supplement) into everyone's water tonight, in case it is a toxin.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would be prepared to give antibiotics. I would also make sure to get some activated charcoal (not briquettes, but the medicinal supplement) into everyone's water tonight, in case it is a toxin.

Just in case you don't have activated charcoal, here's other things you can use in case it's something they ate or drank.



This isn't for chicks, but maybe it will help.

From Mississippi State

Imp

LAXATIVE SOLUTIONS

The following solutions or mixtures are recommended to flush the digestive system of toxic substances, most notably for treating birds exposed to botulism toxins.

Molasses Solution

Add one pint of molasses to 5 gallons of water

Offer the drinking solution free-choice to the affected birds for about four hours. Treat severely affected birds individually if they cannot drink. Return the birds to regular water after the treatment period.

As a supportive treatment for symptoms resulting from Cryptosporidia infection, often referred to as coronaviral enteritis, use:

One quart molasses in 20 gallons of water

Offer this solution free-choice for a period of up to 7-10 days. It is assumed that the molasses replaces certain minerals lost from diarrhea during the course of the infection.

Epsom Salt Solution

1 lb Epsom Salt per 15 lb feed
-or-
1 lb Epsom Salt per 5 gallons water for 1 day

Give the epson salt feed mixture as the sole feed source for a one day period. This feed can be used only if the birds are eating. If the birds are not eating, use the water solution. If the birds are unable to eat or drink by themselves, use individual treatment with:

1 teaspoon of Epsom Salt in 1 fl oz water

Place the solution in the crop of the affected bird. This same amount of solution will treat 5-8 quail or one chicken.

Castor Oil Therapy

Dose individual birds with .5 oz castor oil.






Hopefully they can drink on their own because it's very tricky to try and give birds liquid by mouth so they don't get it into their lungs.

 

[kristen2678]

The saliva thing has stopped. The goose seems better, but still a little slow. The ducks are not keeping up as well. They are shivering now. Looks like they are cold. I have not noticed any eating or drinking. I'm going to get them inside and add some vitamins to thier water.