As I was about to leave the farm today, I noticed one of my ducks laying still away from all the other ducks who had moved to the other side of the yard when the dogs ran through to bark at cars. I noted she tried to get up, but didn't seem able to. None of our ducks allow me to pick them up. They will get close to me when I have the food, but that's about it. She let me walk straight up to her and pick her up without a quack. First thing I noticed was her eyes seemed listless. There were no external injuries that I could see and nothing seemed swollen. Her body seemed unnatural though. I could not move one of her legs, and when I laid her back down they just stayed out behind her. I did manage to prop her up on one of her legs but she fell forward after a few seconds. She seemed to have trouble with her neck.
I put her in the car to bring her home. After filling the tub I took her out of the box and placed her in the water. Her legs were totally paralyzed. She seemed flattened and her legs did not even dangle in the water. She would occasionally shake her head. I rushed to google to see if I could find anything out.
I believe she has botulism and that I did exactly what I could do for her without having the antitoxin. Fresh water. After an hour and a half of soaking and drinking the water in the tub she stood up. She can't move very well and she hasn't quacked, but her eyes are on again!
I'm writing this hoping that it may help someone else. I will update her condition.
Also I will be draining the pond tomorrow that is in the orchard. There's the possibility something dead may be in there or it could just be decaying matter. In any case I'll drain it.
I put her in the car to bring her home. After filling the tub I took her out of the box and placed her in the water. Her legs were totally paralyzed. She seemed flattened and her legs did not even dangle in the water. She would occasionally shake her head. I rushed to google to see if I could find anything out.
I believe she has botulism and that I did exactly what I could do for her without having the antitoxin. Fresh water. After an hour and a half of soaking and drinking the water in the tub she stood up. She can't move very well and she hasn't quacked, but her eyes are on again!
I'm writing this hoping that it may help someone else. I will update her condition.
Also I will be draining the pond tomorrow that is in the orchard. There's the possibility something dead may be in there or it could just be decaying matter. In any case I'll drain it.
