11 week old Peking duck cannot keep her head up for long

[kittenbiscuits]

Hey y'all!

A few days ago I noticed my 11 week old Peking was having some trouble keeping her head up. I was going to her coop to refresh her water, and she stood up and took a couple of steps towards me, and then her neck started drooping to the point where it touched the ground. She then laid down and her neck was completely limp. I got down with her and helped her back up, she was okay for a couple of minutes but then once again, laid down and laid her head on the ground. At first I was afraid it was Botulism and did a charcoal and epsom flush over 24 hours. She has made it to 36 hours now, and seems like she is doing better but the walk/lay/limp neck thing is still going on. Today she did a small lap walking around the yard, followed by laying down. I've been helping her drink-guiding her bill into the water, she drinks, sometimes can lift her head out by herself but mostly with my help. She is eating but I have to coax her in to it and then help her drink. Ive noticed as well that when she walks her head is retracted, not upright or stretched. I've noticed some panting as well (but its also triple digit heat in Texas). I was certain it was botulism because of the symptoms, however her legs are working, she can walk and flap her wings. She just doesn't seem to have much control over holding her head up for long periods of time. As she is walking her balance seems off but she hasn't toppled over. I have been giving her chick starter and after researching the last few days began to feel like her symptoms were maybe more related to vitamin deficiency. I went and got brewers yeast, so its only been a couple of days with that. I guess my main questions are 1. If it was botulism would her whole body be limp vs just her neck issue? 2. If it was botulism would she have made it this far (36 hours since onset) 3. Aside from the brewers yeast what else can I give her that would work faster? 4. Does this seem more like wry neck due to deficiency vs botulism?
I have never owned ducks before so this is all so new to me and Im still learning. I have a Cayuga that i got at the same time as her and she is fine and showing no signs of illness. Any information would be so appreciated! I love my duck babies so much and dont want to lose her!

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

my friend just had a duck with botulism, sounds like it could be that

 

[kittenbiscuits]

Here are a few pictures of her stance. Her neck is always tucked like this when she walks or lays down-

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Here are a few pictures of her stance. Her neck is always tucked like this when she walks or lays down-

can you get her to a vet? is she your only duck?

 

[kittenbiscuits]

I have another duck the same age,different breed, not showing any symptoms. The only place in my area doesn't have an appointment for another week and a half! Trying what I can until I can get her in.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

I have another duck the same age,different breed, not showing any symptoms. The only place in my area doesn't have an appointment for another week and a half! Trying what I can until I can get her in.

i would recommend keeping them both in your bedroom so you can keep an eye on her

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC.

Sorry to hear about your duck.

Usually, with Botulism you'll see other signs such as lethargy, paralysis of the legs, and reluctance to eat and drink, often death. Signs are often severe since the bacteria that is known as botulism "clostridium botulinum" is one of the deadliest toxins known to man.

Did you know injecting just 2 billionths of a gram of the substance is enough to kill an adult?

https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4442/20131015/botulinum-toxin-type-h-deadliest-known-antidote-discovered.htm#:~:text=Botulinum toxin type H- the deadliest known toxin- has been,a child suffering from botulism.&text=Botulinum toxin is one of,enough to kill an adult.

The way she holds her head almost resembles something that's called "opisthotonos" I'll provide a few pictures below of birds that had opisthotonos.

Regardless of the matter, it does appear she has some sort of neurological problem that is affecting the way she properly controls her neck. Several things can cause this, but what we tend to see with birds around this age is either neurological damage, to the head or neck area, or poisoning from petroleum distillates, lead, zinc, pesticides, etc. A deficiency in the vitamin E, or thiamine can cause "tucked- in neck" problems, by paralyzing the anterior neck muscles.

Overall the vet will be your best bet, but in the meantime, I might recommend that you start her on Cattle B Complex, and give her 1ml a day, and in addition, one human vitamin E soft gel capsule once a day. You can administer these either over treats, or orally.

Here is a link regarding how to properly administer poultry medications orally,

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/safely-administering-oral-medications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/#:~:text=The oral administration of liquid,the proper procedure is followed.

Here are links to the B Complex, and vitamin E.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nature-M...MI-sjjxJ2m6wIVTfDACh3LRAEOEAYYBSABEgKjU_D_BwE

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/durvet-hi-level-vitamin-b-complex

In conjunction with the daily dose of vitamins, you'll want to keep her in a soft padded, warm, stressful free area with feed and water provided.

Could you take a video of her, upload it to a video platform like Youtube, or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

 

[kittenbiscuits]

Isaac, thank you SO much for this information. Truly appreciate it. When I get home from work today I’ll upload a video. Is that cattle B safe for her? Would you recommend Niacin and thiamine as well (in place of the brewers yeast)?

 

[Isaac 0]

Isaac, thank you SO much for this information. Truly appreciate it. When I get home from work today I’ll upload a video. Is that cattle B safe for her? Would you recommend Niacin and thiamine as well (in place of the brewers yeast)?

Correct, all these brands will work, and can easily be found at most feed stores. The bottle is labeled as an injectable, and while it can be given that route, we tend to give it either orally or over treats. The complex contains several ingredients, niacin, and thiamine being two. If your incorporating complex into her diet, the brewer's yeast won't be needed.

Durvet High-Level B Complex

Aspen VITA-JEC B Complex

Vitamin B Complex Generic Brand

Vitamin B Complex HP by Vet One

 

[Isaac 0]

How is your bird doing?