Urgent help needed!

[LonelyAngel22]

Hi, I really need some help. I've rescued a wild mallard duck that is absolutely emaciated, so badly underweight that she can't stand. The vet checked her over thoroughly, she's not injured but is so badly starved I don't know if she'll survive...

Weird thing is her crop is quite hard, but she hasn't eaten to my knowledge in the 24 hours I've had her... Tried to tube feed some vytrate (electrolyte supplement for dehydrated animals) as she's badly dehydrated, but could only get 20mls and she regurged a bit of it.

Just went to check on her and she was lying flat on the ground with her legs splayed out behind her and her head just lolling on the ground. I thought she was dead but she moved when I lifted her head...

I just don't know what to do. Any advice would be amazing.

 

[Nartoday]

Hmmm... She could have eaten something that could have clogged her system, but her crop would probably be pretty hard anyway since it has a really thick wall. I know a lot of people use peas in water to get ducks to eat/drink something. At the very least get her drinking. Do you have anything to feed her? i.e. duck feed or chicken feed (non-medicated). Soak it a little in water if you do (to make it easier to eat) If you are really in a pinch, boiled and mashed potatoes with squished hard boiled eggs would be something until you can get to a feed store. Also, add some finely ground niacin to either the food (if she's eating) or the water. She has to be able to submerge her bill. A deep plastic container would suffice. You can dip her bill in to let her know where the water is if she doesn't find it right away. If I think of anything else right away, I'll let you know. Good Luck!

 

[LonelyAngel22]

Thank you so much for the reply, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately she started having seizures and lost the ability to even hold her head up so I decided to have her put to sleep She passed away halfway to the vet :'(

I honestly don't know what could've caused it, maybe if she'd been found earlier she could've survived, I don't know. The seizures were really violent, her whole neck and head ended up twisted around... it was awful.

But at least your advice is really helpful for any future ducks I might take in, so very much appreciated!

RIP ducky, I'm sorry your life was so short :'(

 

[70%cocoa]

I'm sure it it a distressing situation.

Does it feel like there is a hard lump in her crop? Sounds like an obstruction somewhere along the line.

Trying to get some water into her using an eye dropper would be good. Water with a vitamin supplement added would be best. You can use bird vitamins or even Berocca.

If you think there is an obstruction in the crop then some liquid paraffin (given with an eye dropper) may loosen it. Whether it will move depends on what it is...

What was the vet's opinion?

 

[70%cocoa]

Oh I'm so sorry, I just read your last post which must have gone up as I was writing.

That's so sad. But you did your best. Good on you for being so caring *hugs*

 

[LonelyAngel22]

Thank you, I feel quite upset about it but I guess at least she was warm and comfortable in her last few hours instead of being vulnerable in the open. Her crop felt harder than what I'm used to with my hens, and because she was literally skin and bone it seemed to be protruding more than I'd expect, but it could just be coz she was so skinny.. Ah, I don't know. Just hoping she's at peace now

 

[veronicasmom]

I am so sorry for your loss. You are very a compassionate and caring person and it was wonderful that you tried so hard to get that little one help.

 

[LonelyAngel22]

Thank you Veronicasmom, that's really lovely This already seems like a lovely forum, I'm so glad I found it