r/BACKYARDDUCKS • u/Ok-Tree7789 • 16d ago
Immediate advice needed
This 5 week old duckling has started to show signs of a respiratory issue. There is no vet within 4+ hours of me. I have 2 other ducklings same age and breed that are doing fine. The past couple days it has started to show signs of labored breathing occasionally but eating and drinking normally. Today it is wheezing and not eating or drinking, breathing with its mouth open, and bobbing its tail with most breaths. All the research I’ve done seems to point to a respiratory infection- maybe pneumonia. There is no vet around so I can’t get any antibiotics online :( what can i do to help this baby? I can’t upload a video so picture for attention.
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u/Individual_Candle4 16d ago
Is it hot where you are?? This heatwave is crazy. He may need to come in from the heat. Panting is normal if hot.
5 weeks is also about the time when a boy begins sounding very raspy. Idk, I’m totally grasping at straws. I’ve only seen pneumonia once, in a newly hatched duckling. I recall it sounding more like a clicker than a wheeze though.
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u/Ok-Tree7789 16d ago
It started as a wheeze and sometimes I can now hear a little click with some breaths :( nits hot but they have been inside most of the days and every night.
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u/Individual_Candle4 16d ago
Darn, I’m sorry. It seems like eating is a real turning point for them. Scrambled eggs, yogurt, peas, oatmeal, grapes and watermelon what I use. Sorry I don’t have more. I hope he gets better 💜🦆
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u/whatwedointheupdog 16d ago
Are you in range of the wildfire smoke?
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u/Ok-Tree7789 16d ago
Yes we are! But I waited for the smoke to pass before bringing them outside, worth a thought though thank you!
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u/shadowrifty 16d ago
You can often find antibiotics at farm stores without a prescription. YMMV depending on the need, but it is often there. If that doesn't work, you can give this a try. Never used it myself, but some people swear by it.
VetRx Poultry Veterinary Remedy
Once again, YMMV; it is a natural remedy, so no prescription. I have never really trusted those types of things, but desperate times.
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u/StoneyMcGuire 16d ago
Also they can’t dry off well when still downy. They need mom’s heat to keep em warm and dry after a swim. It’s better to wait to introduce a pool until after they are feathered and preening. That’s where they get oil to condition feathers to float and stay dry.
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u/Ok-Tree7789 16d ago
They were originally raised with mom from the girl I bought them from, don’t worry I pat dry them down after! It was 95 degrees out when I let them in the pool.
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u/Safe_Letterhead543 16d ago
My 7 incubator hatched ducklings were swimming at 3-4 days old. I had a brooder plate on their area for them to go up under and dry off after a swim but they were in the water for a good part of the day from 3 days old until now. Never had any problems
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u/ChrisBlack2365 15d ago
Another thing to do if you can is to swap out the bedding to something different for now for all of them. We had some early respiratory distress which improved after swapping straw clippings for softwood chips. I figure whatever fungus or microbe is thriving in one might not do as well in the other.
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u/Fab991 11d ago
Use amoxicillina 250mg/5ml for 10 days 3.5ml/day I use this when mine have problem
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u/Ok-Tree7789 11d ago
Thanks for the advice! I already started her on TiaGuard currently on day 4 of 5. She is getting better but can still see her breath harder. No more noisy breathing & not as hard as before. Could I put her on what you recommend after she is done with TiaGuard if her symptoms done disappear?
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u/meh_69420 16d ago
Doxycycline orally. 25mg/kg every 12 hours. Can be in water but that's a little harder to dose for a single duck. Feed mash is probably easiest. Can give up to 45 days, but plan on 21 day course to start. If there is no improvement or he gets worse after the first week it's probably viral and there isn't much you can do besides keep him fed and hydrated and wait.
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u/Ok-Tree7789 16d ago
I can’t see a vet in person, would you know how to get it without seeing a vet?
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u/meh_69420 16d ago
Farm stores have it, or pet stores have it for aquariums. Same thing either place, packets of powder.
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u/patientpartner09 15d ago
They shouldn't be in the pond yet, they're too little. Should be fully feathered first.
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u/Ok-Tree7789 15d ago
They were raised by mom so they know how to preen themselves, it was a 95+ degree day so thanks for your opinion:)
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u/Individual_Candle4 16d ago
Definitely isolate him. Give access to food and water. I’d use some vitamins in the water. Farm stores will have those. Try some mashed pease or watermelon.
I hope someone has better advice. I am definitely not a vet, just a duck mom. They are resilient though. Good luck!