9 year old duck, not sick but not well

[Deleted]

Hey, folks. Long time no see.

We have a 9 year old Pekin duck. She is usually quite active, walks around all day with her buddy, 9 year old Blind Bill. She is an extra set of eyes for our old boy.

Last night, Nick came back from chores saying that Ping was making an odd wheezing noise upon exertion. Still interested in eating (though not as much as she usually is) and drinking, except that she is having trouble getting the water in and down due to the exertion and consequent wheezing.

Her nasers and vent are clear. No egg bind. Feathers still clean and shiny. No lameness or swelling.

I'm thinking it could be her heart. She is the oldest duck we have. Love her to pieces.

Does anyone have an idea how we could treat her? I'm going out in a few to give her some poultry nutri-drench.

[Maura]

I took my 15 year old dog to the vet back in January because he had started coughing. Turns out that because of this and that his heart was working harder and it was now enlarged. The gist of it is he had a fluid build up in his lungs. He was put on a pill for a few days to dry that up, then down to one pill a day. He is supposed to get one pill every day, but I give him half a pill because he was getting dehydrated.

So, there could be a problem with her heart, but that problem could be caused by something else, and what you are actually seeing is because of a third (related) problem. At nine years old, how old is that in people years? My dog would be about 85 based on his size. A duck has got to be at least that old. Take her to a vet. You’d do it for a dog.

[Deleted]

Around here, most vets are not into smalls, let alone poultry. We're pretty much on our own with that.

I don't know if a diuretic would work on a duck, but I'll do a search to see.

Thanks for getting back to me,Maura.

[aoconnor]

Hi pony. Wish I could help somehow, but have no clue about ducks. I hope you find a solution!

Good to see you Have wondered where you wandered off to!

[Deleted]

Vick's on the beek?

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2017 0:16:09 GMT @paisley said:

Vick's on the beek?

Might be worth a try.  Her nostrils are clear, but at this point...

I'll go out and smear her dear beak.

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2017 22:11:41 GMT aoconnor said:

Hi pony. Wish I could help somehow, but have no clue about ducks. I hope you find a solution!

Good to see you Have wondered where you wandered off to!

Too busy worrying about things over which I have no control

Glad that Ping's beak brought me back over!