Sick Duckling

[coloradoflock]

Hi all, I am new to this forum and have a sick duckling. I could really use some help with. I have a three 4 1/2 week old Cayuga ducks that up until today have been doing very well. When I went out this morning. One of the ducklings was acting lethargic and seemed off. I went back out a little later to feed them some pieces of broccoli as it’s one of their favorite treats, and this duck wasn’t very interested in eating at all. later in the day, I went back out and the same duck wasn’t eating and then vomited brown liquid. I have since moved the duckling inside to a sick area to monitor. Once inside it immediately pooped white liquid twice. There appears to be no food whatsoever in the stool. I was able to get the duckling to eat a few crushed up green peas, and it’s drinking, however it doesn’t look well. We don’t have much for an avian vet in the area so I could really use some help! Thank you!

 

[Mallards and Quail]

@Miss Lydia

 

[coloradoflock]

Update, we’ve move from white poop to only pooping water. It also seems to be trying to swallow a lot but with no food.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm sorry your Cayuga is sick could the little one have something stuck in it's throat since it seems to be trying to swallow and hasn't eaten?

 

[coloradoflock]

I'm sorry your Cayuga is sick could the little one have something stuck in it's throat since it seems to be trying to swallow and hasn't eaten?

It is certainly possible. I cant really tell, do you have any tricks for that? The little one is still alive this morning and looks to maybe have eaten a bit. Still seems lethargic but no worse I’d say.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you rub gently along the throat area you might feel something. Is it on shavings? they will sometimes eat them. If you don't have chick grit out I'd put a small bowl close to its food and water.
Some liquid B Complex may help it feel better too it's not only good for niacin deficiency but can help in other ways too. 1ml over a tasty treat. daily .

 

[coloradoflock]

Thank you so much. They are on shavings and definitely like to have a rummage through. They get grit, but that just started about 1.5 weeks ago with a little sprinkled on their food. I was able to get it to eat a little whole grain bread, I know it’s duck junk food, but a vet friend said it may help push something stuck down. Since the bread it’s actually been eating watered down non-medicated chick starter off my finger, a decent amount, so maybe the bread worked. I’m going to keep it in my sick room for at least another day to see if it will start taking regular dry food again. If anything here sounds bad, I’d love to know. Thanks again!

 

[coloradoflock]

If you rub gently along the throat area you might feel something. Is it on shavings? they will sometimes eat them. If you don't have chick grit out I'd put a small bowl close to its food and water.
Some liquid B Complex may help it feel better too it's not only good for niacin deficiency but can help in other ways too. 1ml over a tasty treat. daily .

Tried to add a video of the swallowing thing but not able to upload to this site. Best description is when they drink water and swallow rapidly multiple times only this happens just randomly without water. Still doesn’t want to eat by itself, but does drink and will take some small pieces of bread by hand. Isn’t interested in the moist starter food much anymore.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It’s best to offer grit in a separate bowl they will use it as they need it. Glad to hear it’s eating some now. Any videos have to go on YouTube or similar platform then copy and paste here. I’d start giving liquid b complex b bits will stimulate their hunger.

 

[coloradoflock]

Thanks for all the advice and help everyone. Still not sure what the issue was, but seems like our little duckling has turned the corner for the better!