Female duck with hard abdomen

I was considering coccidiosis but couldn't determine given that she had peas because I have a husband and children who swears she needs them every time she makes a sound and none of the other ducks appear sick.I will try to catch one in the morning to compare provided the snow has stopped :-( . I don't have any antibiotics on hand except an injectable penicillin for animals. Is worming now a good idea given her state? Anyone know if there is a wormer that's safe to use with sheep there as they are all housed together and I will probably have to worm my chickens and horses since I have two escapee ducks who sneak out into the horse pasture and chickens that free range. If I remember correctly there is a medication that can be given to most animals for the coccidia.

w8tin4raptur said:

I was considering coccidiosis but couldn't determine given that she had peas because I have a husband and children who swears she needs them every time she makes a sound and none of the other ducks appear sick.I will try to catch one in the morning to compare provided the snow has stopped :-( . I don't have any antibiotics on hand except an injectable penicillin for animals. Is worming now a good idea given her state? Anyone know if there is a wormer that's safe to use with sheep there as they are all housed together and I will probably have to worm my chickens and horses since I have two escapee ducks who sneak out into the horse pasture and chickens that free range. If I remember correctly there is a medication that can be given to most animals for the coccidia.

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Seems to me just about any vet can do a fecal test for parasites. I have taken fecal samples to the vet to have the lab check.

Did you take them to vets that do not treat birds? Do you think they will still take a sample? Given it is parasitic, should I refrigerate it? I would think I shouldn't but I've never taken one to a vet before. They've always come here (for my goats and horses).

I take them to a vet that does mostly dogs and cats, they do help with some livestock and chickens, but they don't consider themselves duck vets.

But they send the samples out to the lab. I think it's a fairly standard test. You may need to ask about if they can test for coccidiosis.

Any vet should be able to check for parasites, though they won't usually prescribe medication if they unless they see the bird, but that's a non-issue, 'cause finding the correct wormer or coccidiostat is a no brainer if we know what is found. They will want a fresh sample. Also ask if they can check for bacteria. That's an extra cost, but worth the additional $30.

Don't worry about your other animals... Poultry worms and chicken coccidia are species specific, so you don't need to treat them when poultry have worms or coccidia.

You have probably used Safeguard or Panacur for you goats and horses? It can also be used in birds, but the dose is much higher - 0.23 ml per pound for five consecutive days will treat almost all woms that poultry get.

The most common coccidiostat is amprolium (Corid, Amprol and AmproMed). Liquid dose is two teaspoons per gallon for five days, then 1/2 teaspoon per gallon for 7-14 days. Powder dose is no less than 1.5 teaspoons per gallon for 5 days, then 1/3 teaspoon for 7-14 days. Make fresh daily and it must be the only source of water.

-Kathy