Worms in my duckling's poop?!

[Cassandra G]

I rescued a baby one-legged Mallard duckling who I am assuming is about 3-4 weeks old (based on a few feathers on his rear and wing tips). I have noticed two white string-like things probably 6 inches in length coming out in his poop, and am concerned it may be tapeworm? I am assuming I need to deworm in general because he is a house pet, but am completely new to ducks and all the recent research I have been doing can be confusing and contradicting. If there is any advice, it would be greatly appreciated! I will attempt to add a picture of my findings.

 

[hokankai]

You need to make sure it's a tapeworm or see if it's a roundworm instead. You can bring it into a vet and have them look, or you can clean it and look at it yourself with a magnifying glass. If it's segmented, it's a tapeworm, and if it's not, it's a roundworm. Each has a different treatment so treat accordingly.

 

[Cassandra G]

From pictures I have seen, I am pretty sure it is roundworm, because it doesn't appear to be segmented and there seems to be white pieces laced throughout his poop, possibly baby worms. I want to deworm for everything, is it safe to do that kind of treatment all at once, and are these kinds of dewormers over the counter, or strictly a vet prescribed medication? I didn't make it clear above that the duckling is about a month old now.

 

[hokankai]

You can find the meds at any feed store. You want something with mebendazole.

I would not treat for both types at the same time, as wormers can be a little hard on their systems. Just treat with that (it covers most unsegmented species) and feed increased protein afterwards to help it's system recover.

 

[Cassandra G]

I brought my duckling into the vet and he prescribed Pancur in a few doses. Turns out the duckling is only about two weeks old. I have yet to hear back from the fecal sample. Third worm just came out in poop, I'm hoping that the body expelling them is a good thing. Thanks for the advice, I'm feeling a lot of relief.

 

[hokankai]

You seeing them means the worm load is pretty heavy, but the meds should clear it right up. Just make sure to provide extra nutrition to make up for any nutrients the worms absorbed.

 

[Cassandra G]

That's what I was afraid of. I have also been reading about impaction caused from a back up of the dead worms after deworming medication. He seems to be having plenty of poops, so I hope that is not an issue. He is on duckling non-medicated starter food and he gets bok choy at bathtime, is there something else I can give him to provide him with more nutrients than that?

 

[hokankai]

I don't know what ducklings can have, but if they can have yogurt and scrambled egg I'd do that. Probiotics and protein are good things to give. I'd also put vitamins in his water just to make sure he's not deficient.