Crested ducks and seizures

[Mandrogora]

Alberta was hatched out by Metzer farms in June of 2018. Like many we were ignorant to the fact of how crested ducks are bred and the issues they can face from their genetic deformities until after we had already purchased her. I posted on here when she was a few weeks old how she had lost the ability to walk and with the advice on here and vitamin b complex she regained her strength and has been relatively healthy since. We do believe she has some vision impairment but can still see. About a week ago I let them out as usual and went to fill up water buckets. When I came back she was on the ground seizing. She continued to have multiple seizures that night and the next day. I moved her into a large dog kennel in the coop so that she would be safe. I started her back on vitamin b complex and also an antibiotic as she was shaking her head and scratching at her ear a lot when she wasn't seizing and refusing to eat. After observing her with the rest of the flock we noticed that Mr.Duck wasn't allowing her to do anything. Every time she approached food or water he would nudge her away. They have two seperate feed and water areas but he would just follow and make her leave. So I believe she was stressed and also not getting proper feed or water. A man duck area is currently being constructed and he will be moving in there with the younger boys. They are already being separated when outside. She is in her kennel when in the coop so she has access to her own feed and water and is safe in case she has any more seizures. We allow her to be outside with the females when we are there to watch. I haven't observed any more seizures since the second day and she is eating, pooping, and acting like herself again. I'm just wondering if anybody has experience with duck seizures? How do you help control them and what have you noticed sets them off?

 

[Jpat]

Shes beautifull!

i hope someone can help you

 

[Miss Lydia]

Alberta is beautiful. And I sure wish a member who had a few duckling that were having seizures was still here Cayuga Jana started her ducklings on the liquid B complex and the seizures stopped. So if you have her on the B complex keep her on it. All the rest your doing keeping her from the drake etc is for the best.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

My duck Smokey had 5 seizures when she was a baby and I put her on vitamin B complex and seperated her from the other and added heat to her part of the cage (well she was a duckling). The day after she never had a seizure again. She is currently one year old!
However, my other ducking, Daffy, had seizures and I couldn’t help her. I gave her the same thing I did as Smokey and it didn’t stop. She lived through it after one week, then about 5 months ago she got shot in the head with a Bebe gun by some teenagers.
But that worked for me with my ducks having seizures, I don’t know if you would need different stuff because Alberta is an adult. She is beautiful, and good luck!

 

[DuckNoobie]

I've got the same issue with my 4 year old crested duck (the one in my profile picture). He has minor seizures where he shakes his head and spins in circles, always clockwise, they happen randomly, sometimes often and sometimes they go away for a year. I'm currently looking for the Vitamin B complex in hopes it helps to keep seizures away for good, he's an older duck but it's worth a try...

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've got the same issue with my 4 year old crested duck (the one in my profile picture). He has minor seizures where he shakes his head and spins in circles, always clockwise, they happen randomly, sometimes often and sometimes they go away for a year. I'm currently looking for the Vitamin B complex in hopes it helps to keep seizures away for good, he's an older duck but it's worth a try...

Defiantly worth trying, since your in Canada you might have to order it from Amazon, Durvet is the one for animals. Or use the human form of liquid or pill.

 

[DuckNoobie]

Defiantly worth trying, since your in Canada you might have to order it from Amazon, Durvet is the one for animals. Or use the human form of liquid or pill.

I bought the one for humans today. How much should i give to the duck ? the recommended dose for humans is 15ml a day

 

[Lizzy733]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/vitamin-b-complex

But it doesn't specify the concentration...
It would likely be best to supplement long-term through water stations, find a feed with higher concentrations, or treat regularly with items high in b-complex, like fish and dark leafy greens, especially since she seems to improve with supplement.

Hopefully, this will be enough to manage the seizures long-term and I'm sure a bit extra will benefit the rest of the flock along with her.

 

[DuckNoobie]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/vitamin-b-complex

But it doesn't specify the concentration...
It would likely be best to supplement long-term through water stations, find a feed with higher concentrations, or treat regularly with items high in b-complex, like fish and dark leafy greens, especially since she seems to improve with supplement.

Hopefully, this will be enough to manage the seizures long-term and I'm sure a bit extra will benefit the rest of the flock along with her.

OMG what a great website!! I've never come across it before!!!! Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Usually the human B complex liquid is 3ml daily 1 ml for the livestock one it's more concentrated. I wouldn't put it in water though it waters it down.Over a tasty treat that they gobble right up is the best way.