Sick Duck?

[momo18clara]

I got this call duck at a swap meet a few days ago. He didn't look very good when I got him, but I felt bad for him and I couldn't just leave him there, so here I am with another duck. lol Anyway, I`ll try to get some better/more pictures tomorrow, but his feathers are kind of ragged and he has a lot of dead skin type stuff on his bill. I think the stuff on his bill is partially covering his nares, because he sounds raspy when he breaths. Also, I gave him a bath yesterday and his feathers soaked up the water. Right now I've given him some probiotics and I`m keeping him separate from my ducks, but Im not quite sure what else to do. Any suggestions?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Poor little guy- he may have had some rough living conditions- if he didnt have access to swimming water he may not have been preening enough - or possibly the poor feather condition means he will soon molt.

The bill thing is kind of normal- a build up of old skin cells isnt usually a problem- and in time it will gradually peel away and fall off - but on your guy I am wondering if he has somehow got some kind of fungal infection?

 

[subhanalah]

It sounds similar to a rescued muscovy on this site. The thread is called "sick duck at produce store" or something like that.

He wound up with a fungal infection in his air sacs and needed antifungals.

The only thing I can think of that you can get over the counter that may work is metronidazole. It is an anti-protozoa but also has some antifungal properties.
Lots of clean water and exercise in the mean time. Can you get him to a vet?

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Could many of his symptoms be related to oil gland problems? If his feathers get drenched, maybe he is not able to spread oil on them (wet feather). Also, I've noticed that my ducks always apply oil to their feathers using their beaks. Most duck behavior seems to be very intentional, so maybe it's possible that the oil also plays a critical role in protecting and keeping the beak healthy.

Have you checked out his oil gland for blockage or infection (on the lower back, just above the tail)?

 

[Amiga]

In any case, I would get him on some vitamins, get him to a vet if you can. Probiotics and electrolytes, too.

Lots of fresh lukewarm water for bathing, some good food and fresh drinking water. I would add a tablespoon of flax meal to his food daily, and a tablespoon of ground up cat kibble twice a week.

I would also get some Vetericyn for his face and eyes - if you gently mist, or dribble over his bill and eyes that may help quite a bit.

It looks like he has abraded his bill trying to get out of a confined space, or perhaps has been beaten on by another duck or ducks.

 

[Rebeccagane]

Not an expert but with regards to his feathers, he might have a blocked oil gland. It's located near the back end by the tail. Might have to google a picture for the exact location, but if you part the feathers you should be able to see it. If you rub the feathers around it and then rub your fingers together you should be able to determine whether it's working or not. If you can feel an oily substance on your fingers then it's working fine, if not then it may be blocked.

Vitamin deficiencies (specifically A) can cause a blocked gland. A vet would most likely prescribe some antibiotics to fight any infection.

As for his bill, I haven't managed to find anything though I'll keep researching!

Hope he's getting better

 

[momo18clara]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for responding and sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. This week has been really crazy. Anyway, the duck is starting to look like he feels better than he did when I first got him, but he still has a ways to go. Taking him to the vet at this point is just not plausible, but I`ll definitely do what I can. I think for now I`ll give him the probiotics/electrolytes and try to get some vitamins for him. What type of vitamins should I get? I`ll also have to look at his oil glad tomorrow and see if there’s anything visibly wrong. I`m not sure what the problem is with his feathers, but I would say he`s not getting oil on them, so that’s a good place to start. I hadn’t thought about putting Vetericyn on his face, but that’s a good idea. I have some, so I think I`ll do that too. 
Right now I’ve got him in a rabbit hutch type cage in our basement, so I can keep an eye on him and keep him separated from my other ducks. However, I’d really like to move him outside asap, because he seems really lonely and I think he`d settle down a lot more if he was outside with them. Also, he`s kind of messy being a duck and all. I definitely don’t want to expose my ducks to anything and I’ve only had him for about 5 days, but if I put him in a separate cage near them do you think it would be ok?

 

[Amiga]

Might work out, do you have an unbreakable mirror? And a stuffed toy?

I get poultry vitamins - you add a little to their drinking water.

 

[subhanalah]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for responding and sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. This week has been really crazy. Anyway, the duck is starting to look like he feels better than he did when I first got him, but he still has a ways to go. Taking him to the vet at this point is just not plausible, but I`ll definitely do what I can. I think for now I`ll give him the probiotics/electrolytes and try to get some vitamins for him. What type of vitamins should I get? I`ll also have to look at his oil glad tomorrow and see if there’s anything visibly wrong. I`m not sure what the problem is with his feathers, but I would say he`s not getting oil on them, so that’s a good place to start. I hadn’t thought about putting Vetericyn on his face, but that’s a good idea. I have some, so I think I`ll do that too. 
Right now I’ve got him in a rabbit hutch type cage in our basement, so I can keep an eye on him and keep him separated from my other ducks. However, I’d really like to move him outside asap, because he seems really lonely and I think he`d settle down a lot more if he was outside with them. Also, he`s kind of messy being a duck and all. I definitely don’t want to expose my ducks to anything and I’ve only had him for about 5 days, but if I put him in a separate cage near them do you think it would be ok?

I'm going to say no on this one. You don't know if what he has is contagious and if it is contagious, how it's spread. It could be just breathing the same air, not worth risking your current healthy flock.
Amiga had some good ideas for him while you get his health sorted.

 

[momo18clara]

Thanks guys. You're probably right about not moving him outside for awhile...I'll try to find him a mirror or something.