How can I make a trip to the vet safe for my duck and minimize her stress?

[Jlw0903]

Hello. I am a first time duck owner. I have six beautiful goofy 10wk old ducks. Ine of my ducks seems to be crooked which I suspect to me a birth defect. It wasn't noticable when she was little and I am worried it may be getting worse.

Being ther paranoid crazy duck mom I am making an appointment to take her to see if theres anything to make sure she doesn't get worse (she doesn't seem to be in pain or anything but I dont want to wait until it gets that bad if it will).

I want to ask to see what methods I can use to make sure she doesn't get hurt during the trip there and back and how to try and keep her relatively calm.

I have a dog carrying crate that should be plenty big for her (I had gotten a smaller one but decided it was too small and got a bigger one) and I do plan to bring along my calmest most docile duck to keep her company and hopefully reduce the separation anxiety from the others (I dont think its reasonable or practical to take all six).

What other things should I do to make sure neither get hurt or become too stressed?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Kathy Golla]

I have hens, but I think you are completely on the right track. Just try to make sure one crate isn’t too small for two ducks, that will stress them out itself. Although these are chicks.
Sometimes when they are full grown I bring two small enclosed crates (if one needs a pal) and face the fronts together. Sometimes two of them travel in a large crate in the car and I carry them in the smaller crates.
I have found for carrying, they seem to like the smaller plastic enclosed type crates with the swinging front door.
I always cover any crate with a sheet or very thin blanket. They don’t see out till it’s time to be examined and they are back in the crate and covered unless they are being examined.
And I have found if they are used to being handled, a vet visit is less stressful.
I also make sure I bungee the crate to something in the car so if I stop suddenly the crate won’t fly.
I also bring a favorite snack for if the vet wants to see the bird walk around.

 

[CatWhisperer]

If there are barking dogs in the waiting room and your ducks haven’t been exposed to dogs you may ask to wait in the car until they are ready to take you into an exam room. Favorite snacks for the trip is also a good idea. If you have any calming herbs to throw in the crate, like lavender, valerian, lemon balm, chamomile that might help also.

 

[Jlw0903]

Thanks! Luckily they are used to dogs since my dogs yard is right next to them and hes always finding something to bark at (thankfully he doesn't harass my babies) they are fairly used to being handled but they certainly do not care for it I spent a lot of time getting them used to it but if they are held for too long or lifted up high they will become upset.

Thanks for the blanket idea! I wouldn't have thought about that!

Is there a danger of them hurting their wings in the crate if they flap around?

 

[Kathy Golla]

I’m not familiar with ducks and how much they flap.
My hens tend to know they can’t stretch out much.
Oh one other thing I’ve learned.
Watch where the sun is in your car. The light blanket helps a bit but I had one hen nearly get heatstroke in the car because her crate was in full sun and she couldn’t get away from it.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I’d recommend a dog crate with some soft bedding and maybe throw a towel over it so they feel more secure and can’t see as much.

I brought my turkey to the vet just the other day. I brought her in a covered dog crate and she did great! But then again, she’s super docile.

 

[blackandtan]

Always face the crate forward when travelling too! Facing backwards often makes animals sick

 

[CatWhisperer]

Maybe try padding around the ducks with hay if you have any.

 

[Jlw0903]

Thanks for

Hello. I am a first time duck owner. I have six beautiful goofy 10wk old ducks. Ine of my ducks seems to be crooked which I suspect to me a birth defect. It wasn't noticable when she was little and I am worried it may be getting worse.

Being ther paranoid crazy duck mom I am making an appointment to take her to see if theres anything to make sure she doesn't get worse (she doesn't seem to be in pain or anything but I dont want to wait until it gets that bad if it will).

I want to ask to see what methods I can use to make sure she doesn't get hurt during the trip there and back and how to try and keep her relatively calm.

I have a dog carrying crate that should be plenty big for her (I had gotten a smaller one but decided it was too small and got a bigger one) and I do plan to bring along my calmest most docile duck to keep her company and hopefully reduce the separation anxiety from the others (I dont think its reasonable or practical to take all six).

What other things should I do to make sure neither get hurt or become too stressed?

Thanks in advanced!

Thanks for the ideas everyone!!! I ended up turning my AC on high to prevent heat stroke and had a blanket over the dog crate with towels on the inside. Half way to the vet the settled down nicely. They actually went back into the crate fairly readily when I threw some of their favorite treats in and were perfectly content on the way home.

My poor Dented Darla was given a clean bill of health except that shes just crooked (likely a genetic thing and it shouldn't affect her much through her life).

Thanks again