Very Sick Cayuga Drake- Can't walk and VERY skinny- Please help!

Boy, this winter has sucked. Too much snow, too cold, and now one of my babies might not make the night. Mr. Pickles is a 6 month old Cayuga and just weeks ago he was big and beautiful and very active.

I recently was in the process of moving and while I was doing so Mother was "mostly" taking care of my ducks with her own flock of 13. I received a call today from her telling me that one of my ducks wasn't acting right. So, I immediately drove to her house to find out what was going on. When I went in the barn I found him sitting right under the heat lamp looking very disheveled— no where near the rest of the flock. Not only did he look bad, but when he finally reacted to my presence he could barely walk and was clearly tail bobbing. I he still had some juice in him to run but he was obviously very weak and didn't put up too much of a fight (he is normally pretty feisty). When I scooped him up I was shocked to feel how skinny he was...between a 1 and 2 on this chart.


I know it's a kid drawing..but it is pretty accurate.

I brought him in to the heated kennel and gave him water with electrolytes in it and plenty of food (DuMOR Poultry Grower) mixed with some cracked corn. I also gave him 3mls Poultry Nutri-Drench vitamin supplement orally. His bill seems softer than normal too...so soft in fact I can scrape some of with my fingernail. And he's feet look a little different, not quite scaly-mites...but maybe something fungal or frostbite? I will try to find a camera to get some pictures. I've done the best I can do for now, but I don't know if he will make it. He is a fighter so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

If anyone has ideas please let me know. Thanks.

He could have parasites, a bacterial or yeast infection. I don't know how to write this without it seeming unkind, I don't mean to accuse, but what conditions has he been living under?

I think for now you have done what you could, but if it's an infection or infestation that needs to be dealt with. The vitamins, the warmth, water, food, all that are good starts. A lukewarm bath might help or at least make him feel better.

He has been living in a barn and fenced area all winter. They get fresh water (they have 2 heated buckets) and feed daily. Pictures for you pleasure:










He looked great 2 weeks ago his feathers were nice and he was fat....this seems to have happened so fast it is unbelievable. An now...this.

A vet is always my first best idea. And that is not always possible.

Check his feces for any signs of parasites or anything unusual. If you have nothing else to go on, I might consider antibiotics - but not being there, and not being a vet, I am not sure what kind might be best.

Check his bill. Is there something there making it painful to eat? Feel anything like a lump in his throat? Any lumps in his belly or near his vent?

Thank you for the photo's.

Another thought is his head - does it seem like there is some swelling under his eyes? It could have started as a sinus infection, perhaps? Given a lukewarm tub, can he clear his nares?

How is his breathing?

I need to turn in. Prayers for you both.

You might try some apple cider vinegar in his water - just a tablespoon in a gallon of water.

He seems to have a hard time controlling his head and neck...poisoning? I am beyond mad, not at anyone here but the situation. There are so many different kinds of bird owners out there, and I am one that is willing to treat them just like a member of the family. However, other powers at be around me are not...and it is incredibly frustrating not being able to change that. The only way I will be able to really help ducks like Mr.Pickles is to get them out of here. Unfortunately, my den is not built yet. I can't do a fecal tomorrow and get him whatever he needs.

If it is poisoning, and in any case, you could give him food grade activated charcoal in his water - it ought not to hurt him as long as you don't give him too much (can cause constipation).

Here is the link for poison flushes and charcoal

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal#post_9508213

Upon further evaluation Mr.Pickles seems to have "heavy metal" poisoning. Which means that he ingested something that was made of zinc or lead which is not uncommon in a barnyard setting. I can't do much more than what I have done already, which has been supportive care in isolation. He has improved somewhat...moving a bit more and talking a little, but he does have the leg foot paralysis which as many of you can guess is not good. Unfortunately, the Vet I work for only does normal companion animals, and the Vet I have for my ducks is unavailable today. Not to mention that I am working the next 3 days...regardless I made an appointment for him on Friday afternoon if he makes it that long. :/

I thought this would be helpful for others. Here are the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity which can happen quickly and to any backyard poultry....

• Weakness - falling over (Ataxia)
• Lethargy
• Shallow respiration
• Anorexia / reduced appetite
• Decreased body weight
• Weakness; falling of perch; unable to walk, stand or fly straight
• Polyuria/polydipsia
• Diarrhea
• Hemolytic anemia
• Kidney dysfunction
• Cyanosiss
• Possible liver and pancreatic abnormalities
• Regurgitation
• Feather pickings
• Pale mucous membranes
• Shivering Melena
• Death

MightyDucksVT said:

Upon further evaluation Mr.Pickles seems to have "heavy metal" poisoning. Which means that he ingested something that was made of zinc or lead which is not uncommon in a barnyard setting. I can't do much more than what I have done already, which has been supportive care in isolation. He has improved somewhat...moving a bit more and talking a little, but he does have the leg foot paralysis which as many of you can guess is not good. Unfortunately, the Vet I work for only does normal companion animals, and the Vet I have for my ducks is unavailable today. Not to mention that I am working the next 3 days...regardless I made an appointment for him on Friday afternoon if he makes it that long. :/

I thought this would be helpful for others. Here are the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity which can happen quickly and to any backyard poultry....

• Weakness - falling over (Ataxia)
• Lethargy
• Shallow respiration
• Anorexia / reduced appetite
• Decreased body weight
• Weakness; falling of perch; unable to walk, stand or fly straight
• Polyuria/polydipsia
• Diarrhea
• Hemolytic anemia
• Kidney dysfunction
• Cyanosiss
• Possible liver and pancreatic abnormalities
• Regurgitation
• Feather pickings
• Pale mucous membranes
• Shivering Melena
• Death

Click to expand...

I'm sorry about Mr Pickles I hope he can come through this with yours and your vets help. Your employer wouldn't let you have some time off to take him to the vet if it was life or death?

For what it's worth, MightyDucksVT,


http://www.webmd.com/balance/tc/chelation-therapy-topic-overview