Swollen cheek, bleeding through nostrils.

[Isaac 0]

I'm afraid if this duckling doesn't receive medical attention soon she'll pass, a vet is your best option.

 

[Chickenpuff75]

I hope you can get him started on antibiotic ASAP. Poor little one.

I’ve been working at cleaning around his mouth, nostrils and eye. And gently dunking his beak into water, trying to keep his mouth/tongue moist. There is a dark liquid in the back of his mouth that I wonder if it’s blood. I’m dabbing the corners of his mouth to try to clean it up, but nervous as to how much pressure to apply (overly cautious) in opening his mouth. Also used a q-tip to smear some coconut oil over his tongue.

 

[Chickenpuff75]

I'm afraid if this duckling doesn't receive medical attention soon she'll pass, a vet is your best option.

The vet offered to drop off some amoxicillin (we have our own, pink liquid). Right now, we have mixed 2ml into his water figuring he would be more likely to take it on his own than us forcing it down his throat, risking drowning him. I’m in a rural area and with COVID restrictions in place, the vets open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm. (It’s nearly 6:00pm now). So this is our only/best option that I know of. (Again, I’m open to ideas, not trying to be defeatist).

 

[raeanne]

Just thinking did he get something caught or poked into his throat _ even if it’s not stuck maybe he got a laceration . The throat and nose are close in a person anyways and you know when you get a bloody nose you feel it down your throat. Maybe has an infection from a cut .. and making face swell up ... or did t get stepped on right? CSF (spinal fluid) from nose / eye issues can be a brain injury

 

[Chickenpuff75]

The vet offered to drop off some amoxicillin (we have our own, pink liquid). Right now, we have mixed 2ml into his water figuring he would be more likely to take it on his own than us forcing it down his throat, risking drowning him. I’m in a rural area and with COVID restrictions in place, the vets open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm. (It’s nearly 6:00pm now). So this is our only/best option that I know of. (Again, I’m open to ideas, not trying to be defeatist).

Also, the vet called the University of Guelph’s veterinary school and spoke with an expert there before getting back to me. He did say we could bring the duckling in, have it swabbed, sent to the lab for testing and, in the meantime, put it on an antibiotic, but I don’t know how I could get Pickles to swallow a pill.

 

[Chickenpuff75]

Just thinking did he get something caught or poked into his throat _ even if it’s not stuck maybe he got a laceration . The throat and nose are close in a person anyways and you know when you get a bloody nose you feel it down your throat. Maybe has an infection from a cut .. and making face swell up ... or did t get stepped on right? CSF (spinal fluid) from nose / eye issues can be a brain injury

I can’t rule out anything. The only thing that could step on him is another duckling his own age and there are only 3 in the brooder which is in our main floor bathroom. Maybe a bug bite, maybe tried eating something he shouldn’t that got lodged in his throat, I am unable to tell. But thank you for your thoughts.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Thank you. I’ve been able to post the pics now. But haven’t posted the video yet.

I can see all the pictures but don't have a clue as to what went so wrong! @casportpony might know!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I think you are doing a wonderful job as hard as it is. Hopefully, someone will come on with answers but I think taking her to that university would be the best.

 

[Chickenpuff75]

I think you are doing a wonderful job as hard as it is. Hopefully, someone will come on with answers but I think taking her to that university would be the best.

The only problem with the swab/testing is how long it will take to get the results back. If the amoxicillin that we administer while waiting for those results doesn’t work, I wouldn’t expect Pickles to survive their arrival. Know what I’m saying?

I’ve read through the link Linda Provided (thank you) on how to administer medication. I’m going to see if I can do that. Here is hoping I can do it as I think it’s the best option.

 

[Chickenpuff75]

FYI - they are Buff Orpington’s.