2.5 year old drake having balance issues - vet was unsure of what's wrong...any ideas?

[Amiga]

Cymbaline, this is great to know about! I have often thought about the kind of walker you made. Bravo!

 

[cymbaline]

It's been a couple more months now and he is still "bedridden". The walker seemed to have helped, to a point (when he'll actually stay in it, that is...he doesn't like being in it and will flop himself out often). I could tell his left leg was getting much stronger than his right, and he started tipping over when he tried to stand on his own because his weaker leg would give out. When I take him out in the yard, he can actually drag himself around now a bit by flapping his wings and kicking his good leg.
We were out recently with the other ducks for quite a few hours, and the next day I noticed he was kicking his good leg out behind him when sitting down, and he wouldn't (couldn't?) put his bad leg down at all - his foot was clenched up and his leg would hardly straighten out. It's been a few days and it's not any better. When I put him in his walker for exercise his good leg seemed fine, but he still didn't put the other leg down. Maybe he hurt himself trying to get around outside? Or whatever was wrong with him is coming back/getting worse? I don't know, and the avian vet didn't seem to have any other thoughts if the antibiotic treatment didn't work, other than maybe he had permanent nerve damage. I just really wish I could help him - he seems so happy and healthy otherwise. I'll some pics and/or video later.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's been a couple more months now and he is still "bedridden". The walker seemed to have helped, to a point (when he'll actually stay in it, that is...he doesn't like being in it and will flop himself out often). I could tell his left leg was getting much stronger than his right, and he started tipping over when he tried to stand on his own because his weaker leg would give out. When I take him out in the yard, he can actually drag himself around now a bit by flapping his wings and kicking his good leg.
We were out recently with the other ducks for quite a few hours, and the next day I noticed he was kicking his good leg out behind him when sitting down, and he wouldn't (couldn't?) put his bad leg down at all - his foot was clenched up and his leg would hardly straighten out. It's been a few days and it's not any better. When I put him in his walker for exercise his good leg seemed fine, but he still didn't put the other leg down. Maybe he hurt himself trying to get around outside? Or whatever was wrong with him is coming back/getting worse? I don't know, and the avian vet didn't seem to have any other thoughts if the antibiotic treatment didn't work, other than maybe he had permanent nerve damage. I just really wish I could help him - he seems so happy and healthy otherwise. I'll some pics and/or video later.

I went back and watched the videos again, did you try the activated charcoal? it almost looks like maybe a stroke or
Could he have eaten something toxic and even though he recovered he is left with paralysis. I have no earthly idea all guess here . So strange the avian vet would look into it more though.

 

[cymbaline]

I went back and watched the videos again, did you try the activated charcoal? it almost looks like maybe a stroke or
Could he have eaten something toxic and even though he recovered he is left with paralysis. I have no earthly idea all guess here . So strange the avian vet would look into it more though.

No, I never did try that...I forget why. At this point it wouldn't make any difference though, would it? Isn't charcoal more for soaking up ingested poisons? They would be long gone by now. The vet did xrays and blood work - the xray showed no foreign objects or injuries, no gout in the joints...nothing wrong. His comments on the blood work were as follows:

Ducks always have a high Amylase level (that is normal for the species).
The CK is a muscle and blood enzyme that elevates usually due to collecting
the sample or with muscle damage / inflammation. The albumin and globulin
levels are probably normal variations per specialist because the total
protein is normal. The liver values were normal and the uric acid did not
reveal any obvious kidney disease. The WBC (white blood cell count) was
at the upper end of the normal ranges. Suggestive of inflammation.
Ordering the blood work also enabled him to discuss the results with a more experienced avian specialist - I think she was in Ohio - which is how we ended up with encephalitis or something of that nature. I don't recall the vet offering to do anything further other than refer me to a veterinary school in TN (two states away) for further diagnostic testing. I love my Bullwinkle-duck, but I just don't have the money for that kind of help - I've got well over $500 invested so far and I'm still paying on that, lol. I can only imagine what kind of expensive testing they would do - MRI, cat scan, who knows, plus the trip down and back. And still no guarantee that he would get better.

 

[Miss Lydia]

No, I never did try that...I forget why. At this point it wouldn't make any difference though, would it? Isn't charcoal more for soaking up ingested poisons? They would be long gone by now. The vet did xrays and blood work - the xray showed no foreign objects or injuries, no gout in the joints...nothing wrong. His comments on the blood work were as follows:

Ducks always have a high Amylase level (that is normal for the species). The CK is a muscle and blood enzyme that elevates usually due to collecting the sample or with muscle damage / inflammation. The albumin and globulin levels are probably normal variations per specialist because the total protein is normal. The liver values were normal and the uric acid did not reveal any obvious kidney disease. The WBC (white blood cell count) was at the upper end of the normal ranges. Suggestive of inflammation.
Ordering the blood work also enabled him to discuss the results with a more experienced avian specialist - I think she was in Ohio - which is how we ended up with encephalitis or something of that nature. I don't recall the vet offering to do anything further other than refer me to a veterinary school in TN (two states away) for further diagnostic testing. I love my Bullwinkle-duck, but I just don't have the money for that kind of help - I've got well over $500 invested so far and I'm still paying on that, lol. I can only imagine what kind of expensive testing they would do - MRI, cat scan, who knows, plus the trip down and back. And still no guarantee that he would get better.

Well it looks like they covered it all, and probably right now I doubt there would be any toxin left just the after effects your seeing if that was what it was, but seems it would have showed up in an organ if that was the case. It's a mystery. Most veterinary schools from all I have heard will do free or nominal but it is a far piece to travel. He is very blessed to have you as his care giver.

 

[cymbaline]

Well it looks like they covered it all, and probably right now I doubt there would be any toxin left just the after effects your seeing if that was what it was, but seems it would have showed up in an organ if that was the case. It's a mystery. Most veterinary schools from all I have heard will do free or nominal but it is a far piece to travel. He is very blessed to have you as his care giver.

I never thought about it being discounted, so after you said that I was reconsidering making the trip. I looked the school up to get some more info, and unfortunately, no such luck: "We make every effort to provide reasonable costs for services, but modern veterinary care can be costly. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds to provide free or low-cost care to our clients. The UT Veterinary Medical Center is regulated by a state "fair competition" clause, and thus our fees are comparable to those of regional specialty private clinics."

He is pretty spoiled though. And so cute. <3 Recently, when I pick him up to go outside, if I don't hold him close and support his legs, I guess he thinks he's flying (bless his little heart) so he flaps and flaps as hard as he can. He actually does get a little bit of lift, but he has never been able to fly well, despite being a mallard, so I don't dare let go of him, lol - he'd likely fall to the ground, even at the weight he is now, haha. So I just hold him out and keep moving and let him pretend.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I never thought about it being discounted, so after you said that I was reconsidering making the trip. I looked the school up to get some more info, and unfortunately, no such luck: "We make every effort to provide reasonable costs for services, but modern veterinary care can be costly. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds to provide free or low-cost care to our clients. The UT Veterinary Medical Center is regulated by a state "fair competition" clause, and thus our fees are comparable to those of regional specialty private clinics."

He is pretty spoiled though. And so cute. <3 Recently, when I pick him up to go outside, if I don't hold him close and support his legs, I guess he thinks he's flying (bless his little heart) so he flaps and flaps as hard as he can. He actually does get a little bit of lift, but he has never been able to fly well, despite being a mallard, so I don't dare let go of him, lol - he'd likely fall to the ground, even at the weight he is now, haha. So I just hold him out and keep moving and let him pretend.

That's too bad, I know I've read on the goose thread of members using veterinary schools and getting discounts but it probably depends on location. Sorry I got your hopes up.

It sounds like he is getting the best care he could get, I have a Muscovy drake that's going on 11 yrs old he can walk but barely so I have to carry him to the front yard where he spends the day with his 3 girls 2 of them are also 10, then in the evening I carry him to bed. He doesn't molt any more so his wings are pretty beat up but he still eats good and seems to enjoy his days with his girls, So lets just enjoy our boys for as long as we can they sure bring a bright spot to our lives don't they.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I'm sorry to hear about Bullwinkle's struggles, poor guy. He sounds like he's hanging in there though.

It's quite the mystery what could be wrong with him. Have you tried vitamins? I know it sounds so basic, but maybe it's worth a shot. A lot of people on the forum talk about Nutridrench Poultry. Or I think I've even read about something called Polyvisol without iron. Probiotics might also do him some good (you can buy some specifically for birds, or look into fermented feed, and of course Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, unfiltered) gets recommended a lot).

This is just my opinion, but I think antibiotics can be pretty harsh especially if there's not a bacterial problem going on and his body is trying to deal with something else. So if I were you and the vets kept prescribing antibiotics without a confirmed diagnosis, I would seriously consider declining. But of course, only you know what's best for your drake and you'll make the right call.

I hope everything works out for you and Bullwinkle.

 

[cymbaline]

I'm sorry to hear about Bullwinkle's struggles, poor guy. He sounds like he's hanging in there though.

It's quite the mystery what could be wrong with him. Have you tried vitamins? I know it sounds so basic, but maybe it's worth a shot. A lot of people on the forum talk about Nutridrench Poultry. Or I think I've even read about something called Polyvisol without iron. Probiotics might also do him some good (you can buy some specifically for birds, or look into fermented feed, and of course Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, unfiltered) gets recommended a lot).

This is just my opinion, but I think antibiotics can be pretty harsh especially if there's not a bacterial problem going on and his body is trying to deal with something else. So if I were you and the vets kept prescribing antibiotics without a confirmed diagnosis, I would seriously consider declining. But of course, only you know what's best for your drake and you'll make the right call.

I hope everything works out for you and Bullwinkle.

Oh yes, for quite a while after I first bought him inside I had the vitamins and electrolytes in his water plus brewer's yeast in his food. He still gets brewer's yeast about every other day or two. I had someone on another board recommend probiotics to fix his stinky green poo after the antibiotics; I picked some out but never ordered it because he seemed to get his poo back to normal on its own. I am skeptical that it would cure his lame leg and balance issues though, but I guess it couldn't hurt to try a round of them. I'll place the order.
The reason they gave him such a massive round of antibiotics was because they suspected encephalitis/meningitis since everything else came back negative. I read a chapter from veterinary textbook and the symptoms really did seem to line up, and what they prescribed was exactly what the book said. I don't believe they would recommend that again though, because if 3 weeks of sulfatrim didn't fix it, I doubt anything else will.
He is quite talkative and lively, so until he gives up, I'm not giving up either. Here's a video of him getting around outside from back in September:

That's his good leg you see him kicking with - his right leg isn't much help. I'm just more worried now because after his recent outing last Tuesday he won't tuck the bad leg under him - he kicks it out behind him all the time (and then poops all over it of course...ew). If I stand him up on both legs and steady him, he can stand, but as soon as I let go, he falls down and kicks that lame leg out again. I'm thinking maybe he pulled something? Or maybe he's just decided that leg is useless and he'll just drag it from now on. I don't know, lol. Maybe I'll add the vitamins & electrolytes back to his water and do the probiotics too. I just wish I knew if there was anything I could do to help or if this is all in vain. *sigh*

 

[cymbaline]

That's too bad, I know I've read on the goose thread of members using veterinary schools and getting discounts but it probably depends on location. Sorry I got your hopes up.

It sounds like he is getting the best care he could get, I have a Muscovy drake that's going on 11 yrs old he can walk but barely so I have to carry him to the front yard where he spends the day with his 3 girls 2 of them are also 10, then in the evening I carry him to bed. He doesn't molt any more so his wings are pretty beat up but he still eats good and seems to enjoy his days with his girls, So lets just enjoy our boys for as long as we can they sure bring a bright spot to our lives don't they.

What do you do with him on the days it's too cold to go out? Right now my pen is a cold muddy mess, which the other ducks LOVE, lol, but since he's no longer waterproof he can't join them. But I feel bad that he's just sitting in a box in my bathroom all day long. I've been trying to think of something to do for him, like maybe plant grass in a tray and dump some worms or something in, so he can pretend he's outside digging and hunting for bugs. I don't know, maybe that's silly, lol. If he didn't get soaked so easily I'd leave him in a tub to swim and float and splash, like I used to do when I had other (healthy) indoor ducks, but he gets drenched to the skin and I know he gets cold, poor fella, and he can't get out when he wants like the other ducks could. And he does NOT enjoy the blow-dryer!