Baby duck hepatitis?

[Ash123]

I brought a sick duckling home from the feed store yesterday bc well, that's how I am. It was returned by a mother of a little girl who "loved" it a lot. When it started acting weird the mom brought it back. It looks like it could be duck hepatitis after reading on the internet (matches symptoms exactly.) My kids and I have been handling it and I'm now a little terrified. Is this something that can be transferred to people or animals? I know it prob can my chickens but they are outside away from it all. Also, has anyone had a duck arch it's back and fall over with its legs stiff and straight out and it not be hepatitis? It is constantly drinking water and I mean every 5 seconds and eating good. It looks a bit spraddle leg so I taped it's legs up. This morning it actually seems to have more energy and was even walking a little. It's not had a episode where it straightens it's legs and arches it's back since yesterday afternoon. It's still pretty lame and spraddle leg. The fact that it made it overnight and shows no worsening gives me a little hope. And help would be great! Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I brought a sick duckling home from the feed store yesterday bc well, that's how I am. It was returned by a mother of a little girl who "loved" it a lot. When it started acting weird the mom brought it back. It looks like it could be duck hepatitis after reading on the internet (matches symptoms exactly.) My kids and I have been handling it and I'm now a little terrified. Is this something that can be transferred to people or animals? I know it prob can my chickens but they are outside away from it all. Also, has anyone had a duck arch it's back and fall over with its legs stiff and straight out and it not be hepatitis? It is constantly drinking water and I mean every 5 seconds and eating good. It looks a bit spraddle leg so I taped it's legs up. This morning it actually seems to have more energy and was even walking a little. It's not had a episode where it straightens it's legs and arches it's back since yesterday afternoon. It's still pretty lame and spraddle leg. The fact that it made it overnight and shows no worsening gives me a little hope. And help would be great! Thanks!

This link and thread will interest you, we see this so much this time of year, and most of the time some extra TLC along with certain vitamins will help these littles. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/856771/another-tractor-supply-duckling

 

[Ash123]

Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

And Ash123, you are right to consider your family's health. Since I'm neither an MD or vet, and I'm not there, I can't guarantee that my guesses are correct. Just one duck lover to another, these are my ideas, this is what I have found out.

That said, this does sound neurological, and those things many times can be helped with vitamin supplements.

Please keep us posted!

Pulling for the little, and for you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks!

Please keep us updated on how your duckling is doing.

 

[Ash123]

He/she is up running around now. Yesterday I walked by the poor thing laying on it's back and made the comment to my daughter that the sweet thing was dying. I never thought that today it would be at my house and even more so running around. It's neck is a little tilted still when it runs around but it is crazy how much it has improved in 24 hours. I think it would have died if I had left it there. I put some niacin in it's water this morning. That's the only thing I have done different besides taping it's legs bc it's a little spraddled. I'm thinking we aren't in danger at this point. I feel like if it was hepatitis it wouldn't be getting better and would have died by now.

 

[Amiga]

I am so encouraged by your report!

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's great news!!! keep up with the niacin till it's about 10-12 weeks old.

 

[Ash123]

Do you know if I can mix the niacin with the vitamins and electrolytes i was already giving her?

 

[Ash123]

Someone else said I might could but I have been through so much with her, I want to be sure it's not going to make her sick.