Indian Runner - looks swollen in lower abdo region

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Mooner

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My Blue Indian runner looks like she is swollen up around the lower abdo region, and between her legs so she is not moving around so easily (like a cow moves when it's udders are swollen)!! She (and the other 2 ducks who are hookbills) haven't laid since early September and have been moulting. Is she egg bound? Should I be worried, and is there anything I should do? She is eating, and drinking, but during the day, where she usually sleeps in the sun, she is sleepin standing up now. Is this usual? She's usually sat down with her head under her wing. please help! :cry:
 
A sad update I'm afraid. She was very lethargic this morning, and her abdo was still very swollen, so i rang the vet and took her in. She was diagnosed as having Egg Peritonitis and after aspirating a half litre of fluid from her & discussing the prognosis, I agreed the kindest thing would be to put her down, which he did. He is going to open her up and ring me regarding what he finds, so can update again if that will help anyone else. He said there was nothing we could have done to stop this happening, and it's just one of those things. Sad though. :cry:
 
I'm sorry to hear this. Always sad when we lose one.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to offer any insight as to what may have been the problem. I don't keep runners and so don't know anything much about them. Sounds like your vet is decent and was able to give you a good diagnosis, although with a sad end.

Please let us know the results from the vet as I am sure it may be of help to others in future.
 
Very sorry it wasn't a happy ending :cry: ,likewise appreciate you telling us the outcome.I'm sure it will help others.
 
I'm sorry to hear that. I read your post earlier and actually mentioned it to a vet friend of mine I was emailing earlier today as it was a new one for me too. I would have normally thought egg bound but since she wasn't in lay I didn't think this was the case.

Sorry you lost her - please do share the information you get as it will help us learn.

Tim :cry:
 
Further update as promised.... and also thanks for the kind words.
The vet did a post mortem & found a whole unshelled, but in tact egg, literally 'poached' in the peritoneum. It hadn't ruptured at all, even the yolk was unbroken, and it was sitting in over a litre of fluid, obviously warmed by body temperature, and became a poached egg!
He explained that as the egg is normally moved along by backwards & forwards peristalsis type movement, the backwards movement is sometimes stronger and this causes the egg to be pulled back and dropped into the peritoneum. It is usually when the egg is in the top 25% of the duct, and is at that point unshelled.
Amazing! Hope this helps anyone, and thanks again for replies.
Pat.
 
Thank-you for the information Pat,just sorry for the way you found it out.
 
Hi Pat,

I shared this information with Chris Ashton of the Indian Runner Duck Association and she said there was a very similar case in the IRDA newsletter:

>Hi Tim
>That's a very thorough and useful analysis. And a good illustration of how eggs do get where they should not >be! If the IRDA newsletter has arrived, you'll find Tim Bunting's final account of how his duck fared - she >actually recovered after hormone treatment. He described the conditon in his earlier accounts.

Are you a member of the IRDA? It is very informative and so cheap (£7) - I am a member, even though I don't have Indian Runners any more because the newsletter is worth while and the medical back up from others with Runners is well worthwhile.. ;)
 
Hi Pat,

Chris Ashton of the IRDA has asked whether she can publish that account (your post and the outcome) in their next newsletter - would you mind if they do this?

Thanks,
Tim
 
Hi Tim - no problem with Chris publishing my info in the IRDA newsletter. Anything that might help others is good as far as i'm concerned. Thanks as always for the help, it's much appreciated.
Pat
 
Thank you Pat.. they feature a few problems like this from time to time and as you say, it's good to help out others that may have the same problem.

The only personal information that will be pubilished is 'Pat' ;)
 
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