Toxicity in Ducks (In progress)

[Isaac 0]

Is there something known about Cyanobacteria too? How are ducks effected (or not) It’s a common topic on the radio at the moment where I live and they warn people and dogs to not go and swim before you are absolutely sure Cyanobacteria are not present. This is a topic every summer but I’ve never seen many dead waterfowl at once where I live.

I can look more into it, but I found this,

http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/bl... direct,cyanotoxin-contaminated food or water.

 

[Ratchnick]

That sounds similar to red tide! Nasty!

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I can look more into it, but I found this,

http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/blue-green-algae-poisoning#:~:text=Blue-green algae toxicity is,harmful algal blooms (HABs).&text=Bloom events have both direct,cyanotoxin-contaminated food or water.

Thank you! Very clear explanation. So maybe ducks naturally avoid those waters in summer. I keep mine in the streaming river and out of the shallow ditch to be sure...

 

[wkshaddon]

View attachment 2209271

Toxicity In Ducks

(In the case of toxin exposure ALWAYS consult an avian veterinarian if possible.) They will be able to perform many diagnostic test, perform surgery if needed, provide advanced supportive care, and administer antibiotics initially and after to reduce seizures if the bird is experiencing them. Your duck has the best chance of surviving in the hands of an avian vet.

( Avian Vet Directory )

There seems to be a bit of misconception as far as what to do and use in the case of toxin ingestion with ducks, dosages, and how they should be administered. Preventing absorption of the substance ingested is easily one of the most important steps the bird owner should take, therefore; they should use the correct agent for which they believe the duck has ingested, the right way, and at the correct dose. In this thread, I’ll try to give a quick basic treatment duck owners can take when an avian vet is not an option.



You believe your duck has ingested something toxic:



The first step should be bringing the duck inside. Set the duck in a small cage so s/he can’t bounce around the cage and further damage him/herself, if the bird is experiencing frequent seizures it may be a good idea to line the cage with soft towels to act as padding, and if the duck seems to have lost control of its neck the water dish should be shallow as to prevent accidental drowning or aspiration. The area should be warm (Watch for overheating), and dimly lit. If the bird is dehydrated, it should be rehydrated before beginning treatment. After the bird has had time to acclimate, and calm down you can begin treating according to what the bird has been exposed to or ingested.



Dermal exposures


For ducks that have oil, tar, glue, or any petroleum-based product, etc on their feathers. The duck should first be examined to see if it is stabilized enough to be physically handled, if the bird seems too restless, it would be highly advised the duck have time to rest and stabilize to reduce possible stress/death when being handled. Once the duck is somewhat stabilized, you can lightly spritz the feathers with a WARM (106F) dawn soap solution, then follow up with plain warm water, for mild cases of toxin exposure. For heavy exposures to such substances, a Duck can be bathed in either soaping water or diluted down detergent, once done, the duck should be washed with clean water, and then padded dry. Keeping the duck warm is especially true after bathing since they can become hypothermic fast when wet so monitoring for signs of chilling when doing this would be suggested.


For birds with sticky substances such as glue on their feathers, trim the effected feathers, and work a little bit of straight food-grade mineral oil, corn oil, or peanut butter to loosen the gunk until gone.

Ocular Exposures

For birds suffering from ocular exposure, the eye should be gently flushed with warm tap water or saline using an eyedropper or syringe. Continue to monitor the bird closely for any discoloration, inflammation, or redness of the eye.

View attachment 2209268

Oral Exposure


Before treating birds in the case of oral exposure, two things must be addressed prior to treatment. Heat first, then rehydration second. *Do NOT induce vomiting*


It should be noted that most substances that are used to treat these birds, work to quickly expel the toxins from the bird's body thus causing diarrhea, and in effect, can cause dehydration afterward, in the case that the bird is not drinking, fluid therapy should be a must, either by tube feeding or subcutaneously.


View attachment 2209270


Lead is found all throughout our environment, thusly, it is the most common metal that is ingested by birds. Once lead is ingested it can cause a disturbance in the neurologic, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, renal, and immunological systems mainly, but can affect any tissue that it is spread to. Clinical signs may be lethargy, weakness, anorexia, polyuria, ataxia, convulsions. Lead can be found in fishing weights, water, paint, toys, batteries, galvanized wire, lead shot, linoleum, stained glass, drapery weights, jewelry, bells, bird toys, and many more source’s. A vet will be able to do much more then we will be ever able to perform, but for basic treatment, we can set the bird in an environment that is suitable for its state of health, hydrate the bird if needed via tube feeding, or subcutaneously. After the duck has been hydrated a laxative or cathartic can be administered, Epsom Salt or Mineral oil is usually the substance of choice and are usually found around the house, which is especially important since with most if not all toxicity case’s time is a matter of life or death.

Aftercare may include starting the duck on a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as enrofloxacin since lead can have immunosuppressive effects. In addition, the duck should continue to be offered supportive care until a full recovery is made.


Zinc is another common heavy metal ingested by birds. It is often found in wire, screws, bolts, nuts, drinking water, galvanized water/feed dishes, hardware, and USA pennies. Zinc can affect the renal, hepatic, hematopoietic tissues. Clinical symptoms may include polyuria, polydipsia, diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, anemia, cyanosis, seizures, and death. Mineral oil or Corn Oil is the substance of choice for removal of zinc ingestion and should be administered as soon as possible to prevent the absorption of zinc into the GI tract. Providing a heated environment, fluids, and general supportive care is a must with these birds.


Plant Toxicity is fairly uncommon with ducks, most case’s only causing mild irritation or redness of the mouth. If you believe your bird has actually ingested some, Activated Charcoal is often used to quickly expel and prevent their absorption along with fluid therapy/supportive care.


Botulism is often seen with Waterfowl especially one’s that are near or have been exposed to ponds during the summer. Clinical signs may include, weakness, lethargy, inability to hold up the head or to fly. For waterfowl, this can be catastrophic because the inability to hold up the head leads to drowning. Common sources of the bacteria may include, rotting animal carcasses, ponds, decaying vegetation, moldy feed/bedding, or exposure to maggots. Treatment for Botulism would include isolating the duck/s from the source of the bacteria. The duck should be placed in an area suitable to its state of health that would likely include a dimly lit, soft padded, small cage, that’s warm and stressful free with feed and shallow water provided. After the duck has had time to stabilize, the owner can either administer Epsom Salts, Activated Charcoal, or Molasses to promote the removal of these toxins. In addition to the above, fluid therapy and crop feeding are usually required with these birds.



*Pesticides* to come






*Inhalants* to come



*Dosage’s*


Since its quite likely that ducks that have orally ingested toxins, are in very poor condition and aren’t able to get around, or have a decreased appetite, It’s advised that most of these fluids be administered orally instead of via feed/water dish. Please take caution when administering birds fluids orally, because ducks aspirate very easily when given wrong. Read the link provided below for more info.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/


https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/



*Activated Charcoal works by binding many substances and preventing their systemic absorption. Orally or via tube, 1-3mg/kg (1g/kg). NOTE, that it is not effective In absorbing petroleum dilates, corrosive agents and most heavy metals.*


Cathartics /Laxatives can be helpful in some cases with ridding toxins, but under no exception should they be used with dehydrated birds.


*Mineral Oil can be given to delay the absorption of many lipid-soluble toxins, and aid in the removal of lead/zinc in the gizzard. Dose is, 1-3 drops per 30 grams of body weight. PO once (Repeat as necessary) Give via tube or slowly orally to reduce aspiration. High Chance of lipoid pneumonia when given by mouth, extreme caution should be taken. *Best given via tube.*


*Molasses’ can be given as a laxative, dose is one pint of molasses per gallon of drinking water offered for four hours, in the case that the bird is unable to get around, the solution can be given orally within the same time frame suggested above


*Epsom salt works as Cathartic when given as a strong dilution, for a group of birds the dose is 1lb of Epsom’s salts per five gallons of drinking water offered for one day, or for individual use in birds, one teaspoon of Epsom salt per 1 fluid ounce of water offered for one day, or administered orally often.*


Bulking Cathartic’s are often useful in aiding the removal of small toxic objects such as lead paint, or chips in the duck's GI Tract.



One-half teaspoon psyllium (Metamucil®) mixed with 60 ml baby food gruel is administered with a dosing syringe or eyedropper given 1-2 times a day. Less effective, diluted down peanut butter can be used as a bulking cathartic.


Links and sources,



https://lafeber.com/vet/poisonings-in-the-avian-patient/#Pesticides



https://www.wildlifehealthaustralia...s/Avian/Botulism_in_Australian_Wild_Birds.pdf



http://avianmedicine.net/publication_cat/clinical-avian-medicine/



https://www.sciencedirect.com/topic...gy-and-pharmaceutical-science/dermal-exposure



http://extension.msstate.edu/content/solutions-and-treatments



https://aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/apcc_birdtoxic.pdf


Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Edition

Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Avian

My duck ingested some walnut shell kitty litter night before last and I noticed yesterday that she had 2 seizure like episodes, but they only happened right after eating her normal diet of flockraiser crumble. Do you think it is contributing to the seizure like symptoms? Also will toxins eventually disperse from their body naturally?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I replied to your thread on the Emergencies forum.
Does she have water to drink while eating? very important. I can't imagine flock raiser crumble causing seizures unless the feed is bad. Moldy.

 

[wkshaddon]

I replied to your thread on the Emergencies forum.
Does she have water to drink while eating? very important. I can't imagine flock raiser crumble causing seizures unless the feed is bad. Moldy.

Yes