Hello,
A few days ago, my duck (5-6 weeks old) fractured a vertebrae low in her neck. I took her to an avian vet on an emergency appointment, who treated her and gave us oral meds (meloxidyl 1 mL dose) to take home and administer for 7 days.
The vet told me one way to administer (the correct way), and the tech told me a second way… Come to find out, the tech instructed me to administer the medication into the duck’s glottis. I even reiterated what she told me to confirm this is the correct way, and she confirmed. I did this twice, each time with 1 mL of medication. I understand my ignorance, but I thought I could trust the vet staff.
Something didn’t feel right, so I did my own search online. That’s when I realized how big of a mistake I made.
My question is, has anyone else accidentally done this? What happened? What is the risk level? Pneumonia? Aspiration?
She is breathing fine and as active as you’d expect (maybe a little more) for a duck with a broken neck. She doesn’t sound too raspy, not having a hard time breathing, no wheezing or coughing or sneezing. It has been 24 hours since the last time I gave her a dose this way.
That particular vet is closed for the night, so I can’t give them a call. I will call a 24 hour emergency vet and talk to them, but I also want to know personal experiences so I know what to expect.
I understand the huge mistake I made and feel so terrible for my sweet girl and doing this to her. (This is her in the isolation bin) also, attached the neck x-ray for anyone curious.
Thank you in advance
A few days ago, my duck (5-6 weeks old) fractured a vertebrae low in her neck. I took her to an avian vet on an emergency appointment, who treated her and gave us oral meds (meloxidyl 1 mL dose) to take home and administer for 7 days.
The vet told me one way to administer (the correct way), and the tech told me a second way… Come to find out, the tech instructed me to administer the medication into the duck’s glottis. I even reiterated what she told me to confirm this is the correct way, and she confirmed. I did this twice, each time with 1 mL of medication. I understand my ignorance, but I thought I could trust the vet staff.
Something didn’t feel right, so I did my own search online. That’s when I realized how big of a mistake I made.
My question is, has anyone else accidentally done this? What happened? What is the risk level? Pneumonia? Aspiration?
She is breathing fine and as active as you’d expect (maybe a little more) for a duck with a broken neck. She doesn’t sound too raspy, not having a hard time breathing, no wheezing or coughing or sneezing. It has been 24 hours since the last time I gave her a dose this way.
That particular vet is closed for the night, so I can’t give them a call. I will call a 24 hour emergency vet and talk to them, but I also want to know personal experiences so I know what to expect.
I understand the huge mistake I made and feel so terrible for my sweet girl and doing this to her. (This is her in the isolation bin) also, attached the neck x-ray for anyone curious.
Thank you in advance
