~2 year old drake progressively getting weaker, now seriously ill

[Jtking3000]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and I'm hoping to get some advice on an illness that's mysterious to me. I'm new to keeping ducks. I bought 8 Cayuga ducks around 6 months ago and one of them seems to consistently have problems with his feet. At first it was just a day or two where he would limp a bit but then went back to normal. I thought nothing of it and assumed he just stood on something sharp. Within the past month however he's been very weak. He constantly keeps sitting down wherever the flock are foraging and he will limp to them when they move too far away. This morning I found him unable to stand up. He's panting quite a bit and doesn't seem interested in eating or drinking. He still seems to have full function of his head (he will try to bite me if I try to examine him) so I don't think it's botulism. His quack also sounds normal.

None of the other ducks have any problems, I also have 2 geese that live with them.

Any thoughts and suggestions on what to do? I've already isolated him but I have no idea what the problem is.

 

[Jtking3000]

Update:

He's no longer panting and he's started to drink and eat again, although not like a bottomless pit that he normally is. Still isn't able to use his legs however. Maybe he had some kind of heat stroke and this exacerbated his leg weakness issue? It was quite hot yesterday.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Update:

He's no longer panting and he's started to drink and eat again, although not like a bottomless pit that he normally is. Still isn't able to use his legs however. Maybe he had some kind of heat stroke and this exacerbated his leg weakness issue? It was quite hot yesterday.

Has your weather been wet or dry? How long has he not been able to use his legs? Will you post pictures of him head and a above picture of his body?

 

[Jtking3000]

Has your weather been wet or dry? How long has he not been able to use his legs? Will you post pictures of him head and a above picture of his body?

The weather has been warm and dry lately. He's only stopped being able to use his legs from last night, so less than 24 hours. I've attached a photo of him. Not sure if this you need a closeup of anything at this point.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

The weather has been warm and dry lately. He's only stopped being able to use his legs from last night, so less than 24 hours. I've attached a photo of him. Not sure if this you need a closeup of anything at this point.

First of all HE IS GORGEOUS!! Second I’m wondering is he may have Aspergillosis. What was the signs you saw when he first got sick? Is a vet an option?

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Here’s some stuff on it. I could be wrong, but he seems to match the signs of my duck who had this.

 

[Jtking3000]

First of all HE IS GORGEOUS!! Second I’m wondering is he may have Aspergillosis. What was the signs you saw when he first got sick? Is a vet an option?

Indeed he is. I love all of my Cayuga ducks. Particularly the males.

I've just read up on Aspergillosis and it might be a possibility. I've been keeping my ducks in a smaller area than normal lately as the geese are being territorial as they have a nest. I've had to separate the ducks at night to prevent them constantly being chased. The area often gets pretty damp. On the other hand I recently did a full clean out their little area a couple weeks back and disinfected everything with vinegar.

The signs I saw when he first got sick were opening the door and seeing all of my ducks clamouring to be let out, except him. He was lying next to the water bottle. I immediately new something was up and isolated him in a box. He was regularly gasping and not wanting to drink or eat.

I actually have no idea whether a Vet is an option. I'll have to ask around as I live in an isolated Bulgarian village.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Indeed he is. I love all of my Cayuga ducks. Particularly the males.

I've just read up on Aspergillosis and it might be a possibility. I've been keeping my ducks in a smaller area than normal lately as the geese are being territorial as they have a nest. I've had to separate the ducks at night to prevent them constantly being chased. The area often gets pretty damp. On the other hand I recently did a full clean out their little area a couple weeks back and disinfected everything with vinegar.

The signs I saw when he first got sick were opening the door and seeing all of my ducks clamouring to be let out, except him. He was lying next to the water bottle. I immediately new something was up and isolated him in a box. He was regularly gasping and not wanting to drink or eat.

I actually have no idea whether a Vet is an option. I'll have to ask around as I live in an isolated Bulgarian village.

Ok. I have read that only a vet can treat Aspergillosis. Unfortunately, I lost my duck to this and would hate for you to lose you good looking drake too. I did not have time to treat my hen and a vet was not an option for me. Definitely keep him drinking and eating the best you can. Does he smell bad? Like a sick smell?

 

[Jtking3000]

Ok. I have read that only a vet can treat Aspergillosis. Unfortunately, I lost my duck to this and would hate for you to lose you good looking drake too. I did not have time to treat my hen and a vet was not an option for me. Definitely keep him drinking and eating the best you can. Does he smell bad? Like a sick smell?

I don't have the best nose but when I put my face near him I can't smell anything apart from the straw he's sitting on. I'm going to some kind of veterinary store in my village tomorrow that sells specialist poultry products e.g. medicine,, duckling starter feed. I'll describe the symptoms and see if they can work out what's wrong and if I can treat him at home.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

I don't have the best nose but when I put my face near him I can't smell anything apart from the straw he's sitting on. I'm going to some kind of veterinary store in my village tomorrow that sells specialist poultry products e.g. medicine,, duckling starter feed. I'll describe the symptoms and see if they can work out what's wrong and if I can treat him at home.

Ok, sounds good! Good luck and hope he makes it!!