Sick Duck, Respiratory Distress, must wait all day for vet

[RebbyB80]

Hi @Wyorp Rock I just felt her abdomen and she does not feel bloated or full of fluid. Her breathing is much worse now than when I last saw her in person on Friday.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.ivis.org/library/reviews-veterinary-medicine/avian-aspergillosis
Aspergilosis can be treated.

I use Oxine ah in my coops
https://www.shagbarkbantams.com/the-many-uses-of-oxine-ah-animal-health/

Wonderful she laid her egg.

 

[RebbyB80]

Thank you @Miss Lydia, I spoke with the vet again today and she says that aspergillosis is not "in their radar" for a diagnosis and has us now doubling down the dose on the Caprofen and tetracycline. I will update tomorrow if you'd like.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is not "in their radar" any idea what that means? Please do update.

 

[RebbyB80]

Is not "in their radar" any idea what that means? Please do update.

Well, I believe the vet was politely telling me to stop telling them how to do their job! So I stepped back and did as instructed, doubling the meds, but instead of giving them to her as the vet instructed, either letting her drink free choice or syringe feeding, we switched to tube feeding to make sure she was actually getting the medication down and not just splashing water around & make sure we weren't aspirating her. Luckily we had a unused feeding syringe and tubing on hand that was purchased for something entirely unrelated quite some time ago.
Today she has shown dramatic improvement. She laid an egg on her own this morning and her breathing, although still not perfect, is slower and closed mouth. We put her in the kitchen sink for a bath and she dunked and splashed around quite merrily. Thank you everyone for your amazing support and wisdom and taking time out of your days to help a duck in distress!

 

[RebbyB80]

https://www.ivis.org/library/reviews-veterinary-medicine/avian-aspergillosis
Aspergilosis can be treated.

I use Oxine ah in my coops
https://www.shagbarkbantams.com/the-many-uses-of-oxine-ah-animal-health/

Wonderful she laid her egg.

I still want to act preemptively against possible Aspergillosis since we use wheat straw as their nesting material and ducks are so dang wet. Thank you for these links. I had heard of using Oxine Ah in the coops, but never realized it was this simple. Am going to try asap!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just don't use citric acid not necessary.
That is wonderful news to hear she is doing much better.
They are truly amazing how they can recover if we do all we can to help them.