Sickly duck at local produce store...

[SampyArctica]

I think I'm with the other people of this forum in saying that I don't think it could be aspergillosis...but y'know, always better to be safe than sorry. The testing will be done within the next week, hopefully on Monday if they're not already booked out but I'll be making the appointment tomorrow so I'll let you all know when he'll be going.

It's been two weeks today that we've brought Whistles home! Here are some new pictures:



We have a big mirror (it's about two and a half times the length of him!) outside, but he prefers the reflection on the piano inside. Not sure why...

Just so you guys can get an idea of what size he is at the moment, I can't find my measuring tape.



This is after I clipped his claws, which he didn't entirely appreciate.
I've clipped dogs nails plenty of times in the past so I made sure only to take the tip off and avoid the quick, but they still look so long to me!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think I'm with the other people of this forum in saying that I don't think it could be aspergillosis...but y'know, always better to be safe than sorry. The testing will be done within the next week, hopefully on Monday if they're not already booked out but I'll be making the appointment tomorrow so I'll let you all know when he'll be going.

It's been two weeks today that we've brought Whistles home! Here are some new pictures:



We have a big mirror (it's about two and a half times the length of him!) outside, but he prefers the reflection on the piano inside. Not sure why...

Just so you guys can get an idea of what size he is at the moment, I can't find my measuring tape.



This is after I clipped his claws, which he didn't entirely appreciate.
I've clipped dogs nails plenty of times in the past so I made sure only to take the tip off and avoid the quick, but they still look so long to me!

Scovy's are tree dwellers that's the reason for the long claws. Nice size foot there too. lol and I cannot believe there could be a thing wrong with him he looks so good and it's all the TLC he has gotten since you rescued him. Don't ya love those blue eyes.

 

[ellieuki]

He's looking amazing

 

[subhanalah]

He really does look fantastic! He's feathering out so nicely. Boy, these ducks are tough!

Is he still whistling?

 

[nayeli]

He looks great, and soo big too!

 

[jenniemig]

The change that he has made in 2 weeks is absolutely amazing. Your persistence and love has saved his life, BRAVO!

 

[SampyArctica]

Yeah, I know why they have their long claws, but they still just look too long, haha.

So he's all booked in to go back for testing, it'll be on Wednesday afternoon. I'm not sure if he'll have to stay overnight or anything yet, but I guess it's a possibility depending on what else the vet has booked in for that afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes on the day!

He does look so much better, it's almost unbelievable, but he is still whistling - and quite loudly too. You can distinctly hear him from across the room and you can *just* hear him if you're in the next room. I also think that because he didn't seem to use his legs very much while at the produce store and just sat in place most of the time, his legs aren't used to supporting his weight and he won't walk very far before flopping himself down again. I'll bring it up with the vet when I go to see him, but I've been trying to get him used to walking around, taking him on a tour of the backyard, and we've obviously also started introducing him to our backyard chicken flock (supervised visits only) since it's now past the two week mark with no problems - but there isn't much socialising and instead of trying to give foraging a go, he'll just sit at my feet. He'll look around at the chickens a little, trying to figure out what's going on and they'll all stop what they're doing for a bit to try to figure out what the hell he is (they've never seen a duck before) but that's about it. Maybe he'll peck at the ground around him too. But he just doesn't want to move around or explore anything, he doesn't seem to like walking very much and sits down a lot.

Edit - Oh, also, he's finally starting to get his pin feathers grow out on the tips of his wings, the parts of him that were the most pecked-at and bare. Hurrah!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yeah, I know why they have their long claws, but they still just look too long, haha.

So he's all booked in to go back for testing, it'll be on Wednesday afternoon. I'm not sure if he'll have to stay overnight or anything yet, but I guess it's a possibility depending on what else the vet has booked in for that afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes on the day!

He does look so much better, it's almost unbelievable, but he is still whistling - and quite loudly too. You can distinctly hear him from across the room and you can *just* hear him if you're in the next room. I also think that because he didn't seem to use his legs very much while at the produce store and just sat in place most of the time, his legs aren't used to supporting his weight and he won't walk very far before flopping himself down again. I'll bring it up with the vet when I go to see him, but I've been trying to get him used to walking around, taking him on a tour of the backyard, and we've obviously also started introducing him to our backyard chicken flock (supervised visits only) since it's now past the two week mark with no problems - but there isn't much socialising and instead of trying to give foraging a go, he'll just sit at my feet. He'll look around at the chickens a little, trying to figure out what's going on and they'll all stop what they're doing for a bit to try to figure out what the hell he is (they've never seen a duck before) but that's about it. Maybe he'll peck at the ground around him too. But he just doesn't want to move around or explore anything, he doesn't seem to like walking very much and sits down a lot.

Edit - Oh, also, he's finally starting to get his pin feathers grow out on the tips of his wings, the parts of him that were the most pecked-at and bare. Hurrah!

Thank you so much for the update on Whistles. I look forward to hearing what the vet says. The walking part I can relate to, all my young drakes do this I'm not sure if it's because they are growing so fast or what But they will walk a few steps and plop down then do it again. they grow out of it eventually though. Maybe more so with Whistles since he didn't get to do much exercising being stuck in a crate, but it does seem pretty normal with the drakes I have had. Great to hear his wing feathers are coming in too!!!

 

[nayeli]

I would agree that its probably a muscle defeciency. He didn't get to move around much in his last home so his muscles are more than likely weak. Its the same thing as a coma patient, they need physical therapy after coming out of a coma because their muscles have weakened/lessened.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Lots of water therapy will build those leg muscles up.