Administering charcoal to wild duck

[Debby Duck]

I bought some charcoal capsules, 1600 mg for a wild Muscovy that comes up into my lawn after my domestic ducks eat. I noticed the other day one wing was drooping badly, the next day as I expected, both wings were drooping. I have a lot of wild ducks dying out in my pond lately. I don't know exactly why, but I know something is wrong, botulism seems to be the first guess as I've asked around.

A lady I talked to at the wildlife rehab suggested providing fresh water for him and sprinkling some charcoal in it if I have some. Well I didn't have it but I thought it might be something good to have on hand so I bought it. I'm reluctant to start offering food, but I could use food ideas to put it on that it will stick to? I thought they were always powder. But I just cut one open and it's black goo! Ugh. I won't be putting it in the water.

I got the capsules because at first I was debating trying to catch him and give it to him directly to get the most in him. But maybe 1600 would be too much? Also I don't know if I'd be able to hold him down and give the pill by myself. He ain't no lightweight, he's a big guy. I might only get one chance to try that. The pills are much smaller than I expected so I could probably get more than one in if I can hold him down.

He's still walking so he might have a chance. I usually don't find them until it's too late..

 

[Goosebaby]

For the sake of your own ducks I would not handle a wild bird with an unknown disease, especially as you described that other wild ducks have been dying at the pond.
It could be botulism but if that’s the case activated charcoal only does so much, he would need to see a vet and be given the antidote, without it there’s a low chance of survival unless he was only exposed to a small amount.

My biggest concern is HPAI, there are outbreaks going on all over so it’s highly suspect.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I agree with @Goosebaby

 

[Jenbirdee]

I agree with @Goosebaby

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Only a licensed rehabber should be handling wildfowl. Report the issue to your local wildlife official and keep your own birds locked up for safety. That's my opinion.

 

[FrostRanger]

Agreed, if it is bird flu nothing you do will help the bird and attempting to do something will only put yourself and your flock at risk. If it's not bird flu that is still something better left to the professionals as it's clearly an issue impacting the local population rather than just this bird. Your birds could still get sick and the wild bird might not pull through regardless of treatment (and the stress of being handled might push him over the edge). No matter what is going on your birds need to be kept locked up for the foreseeable future and the relevant wildlife authorities need to be called so they can look into the matter

 

[Debby Duck]

For the sake of your own ducks I would not handle a wild bird with an unknown disease, especially as you described that other wild ducks have been dying at the pond.
It could be botulism but if that’s the case activated charcoal only does so much, he would need to see a vet and be given the antidote, without it there’s a low chance of survival unless he was only exposed to a small amount.

My biggest concern is HPAI, there are outbreaks going on all over so it’s highly suspect.

Well, not handling him seems to be the consensus from others too. I did worry that the stress would be bad on him. I get what you say about the charcoal. About a month ago my other 2 ducks were sick, we think botulism, not sure. First one and then the second, a day later. My vet only had one dose of the antidote, so the first duck got it. The second did not, but got antibiotics and IV fluids etc. I asked her about the charcoal and she explained that unless you catch it very early on it does little because it's already left the gut and is in the bloodstream, and that's where you have to treat it. For my second one that was not getting the antidote I told her to go ahead and tube feed the charcoal. I wanted to do everything since that's all we had. He did recover as well, just took a few days longer. Unfortunately duck number three came down with something weeks later, we don't know what, and he died.

 

[Debby Duck]

Only a licensed rehabber should be handling wildfowl. Report the issue to your local wildlife official and keep your own birds locked up for safety. That's my opinion.

I see everyone's point and agree on the handling. Unfortunately wildlife officials and rehab here in Florida won't help Muscovys. They're considered invasive and will only take them if they're dying and then will euthanize.

 

[Goosebaby]

I see everyone's point and agree on the handling. Unfortunately wildlife officials and rehab here in Florida won't help Muscovys. They're considered invasive and will only take them if they're dying and then will euthanize.

If you’re extremely careful and wear long gloves, protective covering, and different shoes you could try to help them, treat it like a hazmat situation, but it’s a long and difficult commitment and there’s no guarantees you won’t expose your flock to a deadly contagion.

It really sucks, feeling helpless not being able to help an animal in need, but hpai is a terrible reality we now live in, a lot of avian vets aren’t even taking in rescues or poultry because of the current risk.

 

[Debby Duck]

Agreed, if it is bird flu nothing you do will help the bird and attempting to do something will only put yourself and your flock at risk. If it's not bird flu that is still something better left to the professionals as it's clearly an issue impacting the local population rather than just this bird. Your birds could still get sick and the wild bird might not pull through regardless of treatment (and the stress of being handled might push him over the edge). No matter what is going on your birds need to be kept locked up for the foreseeable future and the relevant wildlife authorities need to be called so they can look into the matter

Thank you, I see what you're saying. I guess I was thinking I'd take this problem on myself since Florida officials aren't doing anything about it. I've called everyone, explained everything but keep getting yet another useless number to call, and end up back where I started. It's frustrating. All I can do is keep my own ducks protected as best I can it seems.