Sick duckling!!

[Pelephant]

I posted this earlier in the Duck section of the forum, but didn't get a reply. Hopefully, I can get some more advice here.

Around a week ago, I adopted three Pekin ducklings from a friend, who hatched them from eggs as a project for her third grade class. One of the ducklings has been having problems, (our friend said that he/she had a hard time hatching, I believe). When I first received him, I could see that his eyes were a bit drifted to the side, his beak was slightly deformed and that he seemed to be blind. He would walk around in circles, stick closely to the other ducklings, and "feel" around with his beak for food and water. Otherwise, he seemed fine for the most part.

However, starting two days ago, he began to "pant" and have labored breathing. He sits on the ground and doesn't move much, and seems very weak. One of his eyes has become red and the feathers around it have balded off, leaving a pinkish skin. He often tries to scratch the eye with one leg, but can't seem to stand and balance and thus always falls over sideways when he does this. Fearing that it may have been the bedding, I removed the pine shaving in hopes that he would get better.

Today, he still has labored breathing, and in addition, his head seems to be twisted to one side constantly. (He rests his head on his back a bit, and when he drinks, he tilts it drastically to one side.) His eyes is now watery, and more red, and he seems to be drinking a lot of water. I haven't been able to identify his droppings though.

I'm not sure how old the ducklings are, but they should be around a month or two.

Here is a picture of him, and his pinkish eye:

Please help! I really would like him to survive!

 

[Anny]

From the photo it almost appears that the duck may have a upper respiratory infection. You should keep him away from any other birds. And try to get him on some antibiotics.

 

[duckyfromoz]

He looks around 6 weeks old based on the amount of feathering. Poor little guy... I also think a respiritory infection is most likely causing his breathing problems. With his face becoming dirty from the weeping from his eye it is important that he has clean water deep enough to wash his face and nostrils. Even supervising a quick swim might help him clean himself up a bit- But keeping him warm at the same time would be important since he has the breathing problems. Apart from antibiotics to clear up any infection some vitamin supplements added to the his drinking water may help aid his recovery too. Some of the behaviour you describe such as being unbalanced and drinking with his head on the side can be symptoms of both infection and vitamin deficiency.

 

[saladin]

Waterfowl seldom get sick; they are certainly a healthier lot than chickens or turkeys. Separation for sure: personally, I'd cull him. saladin