Sick duckling! Urgent help needed!!

[Rbek99]

I have a wild duckling that I am looking after (it was given to a vet I volunteer at). It started sneezing a bit so I took it to the vet and they said it had some respiratory problem and they are giving it medication (betamoxin) to try help it get better but said it may not get better.

It now has problems breathing and water coming from its nose and wobbles when it stands. I took it to the vet earlier today so it could get its second dose and it started freaking out and kept falling over and squawking ( the vet described it as a seizure but it's calmed down now so i think it could have just been from the stress of going in the car and being at the vet). It wouldn't eat or drink much but it has had some food and water now.

The vet says it's not looking hopeful for it but I thought I'd ask if there was anything i could do or something I could feed it to help it heal? I am currently just feeding it soggy mashed cat biscuits with a bit of sugar in it (as told by vet as this is my first time looking after a duck).
I read some other posts on here and people have fed their sick/weak ducks honey and yogurt or hard boiled egg yolk. Should I do that?
I'm not sure what kind of duckling it is or how old it is (it's quite small though and could fit in the palm of one of my hands).

Hoping for a reply soon!
Thanks

 

[pattyhen]

Do you have a light on the duck to keep it warm? I would feed it chopped egg yolk with a little grit and make sure it has water at all times. Electrolites in the water might help also. Non medicated chick starter mixed with warm water. I hope the little one pulls threw this and thank you for helping it. God bless and keep us updated.

 

[Cagematmidnight]

Heat is your biggest friend, if you have a plastic tote and a heating pad that'll work. I put the heating pad in the bottom of the tote, and cover it with a towel, I build up one side with extra layers, just in case they do get hot and want off. I keep the lid only over the part where I want the heat, leaving the cooler side uncovered.

 

[pattyhen]

How is the duck doing?

 

[Amiga]

Remember that ducklings generally need 90F temperatures the first week, dropping by 5 degrees a week - that's for domestics, I am not experienced with wild fowl.

 

[Rbek99]

It's not sneezing at the moment and it's nose isn't running anymore. It's breathing is still a bit labored and it's kind of freaked out (I'm not sure why) but it seems better than yesterday so I'm cautiously hopeful

 

[Rbek99]

I've been putting a hot water bottle (with a towel on it) in its box but it often wants to sit on the paper instead. Should I get a smaller box where it has to keep on the hot water bottle?

And with the grit and electrolytes, can you just get that at a pet store in bottles called that or is there special foods that contain that?

Thanks for your help!

 

[pattyhen]

Do you also have a light on the duck? I think it needs that. A brooder light that has a clamp would be great. I put my babies in a plastic storage tub. I buy the electrolytes package at a feed store, like tractor supply. you might be able to find it at a pet shop. Since the duck is so small just plain parakeet grit would be ok to use for now. Just a small amount sprinkled over his food would be ok. A mirror for him to see himself would also help and a stuffed animal for him to cuddle up to would also help. Thanks for update and thank you for caring for the little one. Good luck with him. Please keep us updated.

 

[Rbek99]

Yes i have a light and a stuffed toy for it as well. I took it to get its last shot today and the vet said it looks alright and it seems a bit better as well they are going to try get another duck about the same age (2 weeks ish) to keep it company Thanks for the help! I'll have a look at some shops for the grit and electrolytes

 

[pattyhen]

Thanks for the update and it does sound promising. A companion would really help perk him up. You can buy the chick starter in small bags too and get the unmedicated kind. Thanks so much for taking care of the little one.