Pekin duckling panting

[Dani043]

I noticed my 2 week old Pekin duckling, Ming-ming, has been panting a lot. Ming-ming is energetic, eating regularly, and loves taking baths. I have 2 other ducklings the same age and they don't pant, or at least I haven't noticed them panting. I was looking through some of the other threads and people have mentioned their ducklings dying after beginning to pant? I'm planning on switching them from a pine bedding to a pellet bedding this weekend to see if that helps, but is there anything else I can do? Ming-ming is my baby! (This is the best picture I could get of how she pants.)

 

[rtflanagan]

I'm hoping someone can help. We are having the same issue. she's the only one panting. Mouth wide open.

 

[Dani043]

About a half hour ago I caught the other 2 panting. They were all cuddling in my lap, panting. I gave them a big bowl of cool water and that seemed to help.

 

[rtflanagan]

I was reading in another post that it could be heat related. The house is 73 and I had the lamp on. I turned it off. I also read to put apple cider vinegar in their water. Just did that also, incase it's not heat. I hope your's get better. I really don't think I could handle dying babies.

 

[Amiga]

Panting can be from nervousness, overheating, or having stuff in their nares (nostrils).

Check the temperature, and make sure they can wash their little heads at least daily - preferably several times a day - to get the crud out. Otherwise they are at more risk of eye, sinus and ear infections.

Cute baby!

 

[Dani043]

Thank you, I have been taking them into the bathtub to wash and swim and play. I do have some apple cider vinegar so I will have to try that. They are staying in my basement so it's colder down there, with their light it only gets about 75-80 at most. We're moving them into a bigger trough to live so they have more space to get out of the light when needed.

 

[Amiga]

You don't use soap, right?

I mean for the ducklings.

 

[Dani043]

No, never use soap. Just warm water about up to their bellies. I let them play until the water is cold and then I dry them with a warm towel. I provide a deep bowl of fresh water for right after their bath too. They have a regular waterer in their trough that isn't deep enough to get their heads underwater.

 

[Amiga]

Well, you are doing well by them, water-wise. Bravo!

I just need to ask the questions . . . sometimes it's something common, sometimes it's something unusual.

 

[rtflanagan]

We just got a new batch of pine shavings and it has a lot of dust. It clings to your arm as you spread it out. I just did a complete bedding switch again and the bottom had a fine layer of dust. I hope it's not that. We change water at least 5 times a day. Any time I see it cloudy I change it. Mine are also losing all their down. Which I thought was odd because our other two mallards lost it down in sections but one Peking is almost bald, except the feathers that at coming in.

not sure if it is anything.

Sorry not trying to hijack the thread. Her/his belly is almost all white white no down.