Sick, weak duck, what is wrong, what treatment?

[Davesark]

My Campbell duck appears very sick. I've checked the emergencies and injuries posts, but need something more specific for ducks especially in first identifing the problem, so I can find the best treatment. Not sure what else I can do. No vets available to help. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

I found her sitting quietly near the back door with the other ducks 2 days ago, but when she went to move she could not walk, only flutter her wings and pull herself along the ground. I thought she was lame, possibly from trampling by 2 overenthusiastic drakes. She had been fine, lively and running about with the flock in the morning. The only problem at this point in time (afternoon) was that she could not walk. She appeared bright and healthy in every other way.

I penned her away from the rest of the flock to let her recover. Next morning she was showing no interest in food. I gave her plain yoghurt and honey in water to keep her hydrated and provide some energy. She dabbled a little in this. I moved a baby bath into the pen filled it with water and put some condies crystals (potassium permanganate) in the water and lifted her in to float. I thought this would disinfect any wound that I could not see. She seemed to enjoy this, but did not even want to flutter in the water as she would usually do. She kept dipping her head into the water and trying to reach the bottom with her bill, she also kept drinking the water. I bathed her all over as ants were beginning to find her and climb all over her. Throughout the day she seemed to move less and less. She did, however, manage to crawl her way up to the wire door to the pen, where she simply layed all day, being as close to her flock as she could get. The others come over and lay outside the door when they are not off foraging. I put a container of cool, clean water just in front of her so she can drink without needing to move more than her neck. Later in the day I put out wheat cereal biscuits mashed up in water for her but she did not even want to look at this. I do the same with food bowls - side by side in front of her - water, yoghurt and honey mixture, cereal.

By late afternoon she was looking scruffy, feathers fluffed up, eyes half closed, she seems to tremble slightly at times, and there now seems to be no movement in her legs. She seems to be able to move her wings less, too, and is lop-sided when floating, lolling to the right. When placed in the baby bath she just sits and floats, the feet don't move at all, and she drinks, drinks and drinks. Her head lolls from time to time both in the water and out of it, she looks sleepy with eyes half- to fully closed when this happens. When I pick her up she now wimpers slightly as I place my hands under her. She does not like being moved, I think it hurts, and I suspect the pain may be initially in her crop. She wimpers if I gently touch it, and her tummy girgles, so it may have moved down, she may have a sore stomach as well. When given some shell grit she frantically grabbed a couple of mouthfulls, and washed it down with lots of water, but after that would not touch it.

Possible causes: With the wet season the ducks dabble in the water everywhere, including near the reed bed of the septic system. We have flooding every wet season with the water table rising near to the surface, which also flushes the septic system reed bed to the surface. I thought she may have injested bacteria from this, although the wet season also brings moulds and mildew everywhere. The garden itself smells mouldy. We also have poisonous cane toads, and there is the possibility that she ate one. I've seen the ducks catch and eat little cane toads, and fully expected them to drop dead the next day but they have been fine. So I wondered if she caught a large one and got too much poison. I've also considered that she may have picked up and swallowed some foreign object, a piece of wire, a twist tie, something I've missed. With strong winds all sorts of things get blown into the garden. I pick up everything I see.

I checked on her this morning. She is still alive, but weak, quiet, not moving, eyes half closed, she looks sleepy and drousy, feathers still fluffed and without lustre. She still wimpers. She is laying one egg a day. I plan to give her fresh water with epsom salts today. I'll also try feeding her some charcoal if she will take it. I will also examine her again incase I have missed finding a paralysis tick.

I'll continue with treatments of:

Rest
Fresh drinking water
Water, honey and yoghurt for energy
A float and bath to clean her and remove troublesome insects

What else should I be doing?
What suggestions do you have as to the problem?

I've got a duck with similar symptoms but a as a copper and new to flying I think she's had a collision with a truck as the flock tend to use the highway as a flight path. I've just got her comfortable and food and water available and as you are I am putting her in a pool to strengthen herself. She's improving everyday, still can't walk but I'm hoping that's just a matter of time. I suspect that she may have broken ribs and or a picture lug and unable to inflate on one side but as I said she is improving.

 

[Amiga]

Keep doing what you can with water, I haven't had to use epsom salts but this may be the best thing.

Try to get some charcoal in her - it absorbs toxins, as you know. Perhaps mix some up in water and give it to her with a dropper - I need a helper for this, someone to hold the duck while I open her bill and squeeze medicine down her throat.

Keep her warm, let her see and hear her friends - I sometimes bring a buddy in who can lie right next to the sick duck.

Do you have any antibiotics you can give her? Even apple cider vinegar in water?


ETA: vitamins/electrolytes/probiotics

you've been doing well to try the yogurt and honey, I think

 

[kswaterfowl]

You may try crushing Brewer's yeast tablets up and mixing it with the feed. It is a source of Niacin. We had some Buff Orpington drakes that ended up lame and we treated them that way and they were back within a week or so. You have to give it to them several times, but it can't hurt to try. I buy Brewer's Yeast at CVS and our dog even takes them from time to time.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Vitamins may aid her recovery- if that is to happen- but it sounds to me like this is some toxic she has ingested causing her to be so unwell. If it was just niacin you would have noticed symptoms before she got so ill. And it would be likely others in the flock would also showed symptoms. For some reason everyone in America seems to mention Niacin any time a duck is doing poorly- but here in Australia- niacin deficiency is rarely heard of- must be that our feed is manufactured better!! Another question.. has she been laying still since so sick? It could be that she has an unpassed egg inside her that has caused an infection. Even if you could get her to a vet there is no guarantee they would know what was wrong with her anyway, there are so few avian experts anywhere in the country. She will need to eat something soon to start to regain some strength. You may need to have to tube feed her is she will not eat anything herself. I have never had to do this myself- but it is a two person job- and you need to make sure that the tube goes down the right way so the feed doesnt end up in the lungs- but I would highly recommend if it came to tube feeding you would need to seek some kind of professional help for at least the first feed. If there is a local wildlife carer- someone from WIRES even- they may be kind enough to help out. Were you anywhere near the areas flooded? I know here in Victoria the flood areas now have severe mosquito plagues - she may even have contracted some disease from mosquitoes.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Carol - Great news about ducky- Even if you dont know what the cause was- the TLC that was given has done what was needed, so a great outcome. Its good that you took action when you did before it was too late to save her.

I was in the area in April 2006 and was shocked to see the devastation. Seeing things on TV just isnt the same as being there and seeing it for yourself.

I was in Cairns just over two weeks ago- and so the lay of the land is still fresh in my mind -so much low land but the mountains as well. Flying over Victoria- I could see all the flood waters- but we were to far inland to see the impact of the floods around Brisbane. Todays there were fires here in Victoria and up north you have a cyclone heading straight for you.

My Dads partner is still there in Cairns and I worry for her- and will also be thinking of you Carol, and hope you - your family and the ducks all stay safe.

 

[dumb_cluck]

What was she eating before she got sick? I had a chicken (hen) get sick like that just recently.
Turned out to be constipation.
The warm water bath will be soothing and keeping her quiet and relaxed will help also. Keep an eye on the stool. If it's real watery, it is probably constipation.

If it is, then review what you have been feeding.

 

[chimbica88]

WOW! just what im looking for! My duck has beentge exact dame way for two weeks now, after countless doctor visits a specialists an X-rays...no luck! I starte the Epsom salt treatmen today...do you put in the tub water too? She I taking 3 baths a day...I also starte giving her oyster shells cause I haven't gotten eggs..meaning she is lacking calcium...plus on the X-ray her egg laying bones(hind legs) were full of calcium...ready to lay..but isn't laying so she is stealing from her body...also the vet gave her a calcium shot...but she is eating and drinking , very happy, very pink, good leg movement, but can't walk or swim properly....any suggestions..,also where can I get brewers yeast? Did it workfor you?? THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[chimbica88]

UEGENT! now she has horrible diarrhea !! It's everywhere !! Is that from the Epsom salt in her water..one table spoon per one cup right??? NOW WHAT??

 

[dumb_cluck]

DO NOT use epson salts to fed her! It is toxic! It is only used to bathe in an Epson salt based water!

 

[Baralak]

Yes it is from the Epsom salt and that is ok.. You CAN mix epsom salt in the water for duck tummy problems... Here is the link from liveducks.com

Botulism
Symptoms: Loss of muscular control of legs, wings and neck, sometimes called limberneck. Birds are unable to swallow.
Cause: Toxins produced by Clostridia bacteria in decaying animal and vegetable waste. Avoid problems by keeping ducks out of muddy/dirty areas, and stagnant water, especially in hot weather. Bacteria multiply rapidly in warmer temperatures with anaerobic conditions (no oxygen).
Treatment: Give affected birds fresh drinking water. If necessary, introduce water into the mouth and throat. A crop tube could be used with the advice of a vet. Add Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) to the water. Recommended amounts vary from 1 tablespoon in one cup of water to 1 ounce per 50 fluid oz (2½ pints) of water.