Dizzy/sick duck 😢 help please

[livingwithjane]

Hi guys...

I've looked this up and found some older threads that discuss similar problems, but none of them have a definitive solution. Perhaps someone else more recently has encountered this, and can help me out.
About 4 or 5 days ago, one of our ducks started acting strange. She stopped grooming herself, her feathers became ruffled, she started losing weight, started sleeping a lot, and became really wobbly on her feet. I checked her and the other ducks over and discovered that many of them have a mild case of bumblefoot. I started treating them for it, and brought them into a sheltered area. I thought that after a few days, I might see an improvement in the duck who was wobbly, but I haven't.
Upon closer observation, I'm convinced that what she's experiencing isn't related to bumblefoot at all. It almost seems like she's had a stroke or some sort of neurological issue. Not only does she have trouble balancing, but the whole left side seems to give her trouble. She's slower to move her left wing and foot, and if she extends her neck too far to the left, she falls over. When watching her try to eat and drink, it's like she doesn't know how to open her mouth and use her tongue properly. She slowly and with great difficulty pecks at the ground or water bowl, but can't seem to pick up much food or water.
Please see the video below of her. She's the one with her head tucked in, getting knocked over by the other ducks, and losing her balance multiple times.
I've read people's suggestions of botulism, parasites, toxins, nutrient deficiency, etc, but no one specific answer. I've ruled out botulism, because she's not dead, and that seems to be fatal pretty quickly. We feed our ducks actual duck food, and supplement that with extra niacin, and I started putting a bit of apple cider vinegar in their water, so it's not lack of nutrients.
I hate seeing her like this, and I don't know what else to do for her. I'm trying to avoid the vet if at all possible. Can anyone help me?

https://youtube.com/shorts/AHvMUHnkzvc

 

[Ratchnick]

Seems like a sick duck. That is typical sick bird behavior. It would take a vet to get a real diagnosis. You can of course weigh her and if she is losing weight start tube feedings to keep her going.

 

[KaleIAm]

I'm sorry your duck is unwell. The hunched posture is characteristic of sick birds conserving body heat and/or in pain. I would also take her to an avian veterinarian, but I understand you are trying to avoid this.

Maybe @Isaac 0 can help.

 

[Isaac 0]

I've looked this up and found some older threads that discuss similar problems, but none of them have a definitive solution.

I've read people's suggestions of botulism, parasites, toxins, nutrient deficiency, etc, but no one specific answer.

Unfortunately, that is due to the fact that is it particularly hard in most cases to form a diagnosis on a bird online without a hands-on physical examination, and diagnostic tests any suggestion online is merely a guess.

I hate seeing her like this, and I don't know what else to do for her. I'm trying to avoid the vet if at all possible.

The first step towards better care would be addressing her weight loss, which if let to decline will likely result in her expiration. I'm sure you can notice her head tucked in which is a sign she is attempting to preserve body heat; with no food in the system, there is nothing that can be broken down to create metabolic body heat which can result in hypothermia.

If she feels more comfortable with the flock you might keep her outside, but keep her in a penned-off area where she can easily access feed and water, and where you can supplement heat via a heating pad, or a heat lamp to help maintain normothermia.

If she will not readily eat food or even her favorite treats, supplemental tube feeding would be suggested to keep her weight from declining. Here is some information on tube feeding here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

Treating on a conjecture basis is generally not recommended, but if that is the only route you're willing to take, it may be better than nothing. In addition with the supportive care, you may consider starting her on a broad range antibiotic such as this one, and note whether there are any improvements or not.

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10

Gastrointestinal parasites can cause emaciation, which can result in neurological issues so if you wish to start the bird on an anthelmintic, you may try. SafeGuard Liquid goat dewormer has broad range coverage, and good efficacy.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/merck-animal-health-safe-guard-dewormer-for-goats-125ml

Nutritional therapy via poultry/human vitamins may be helpful, but if used in conjunction with Baytril, you will have to ensure there is no calcium as that can interfere with Baytril's effectivness.

 

[livingwithjane]

Unfortunately, that is due to the fact that is it particularly hard in most cases to form a diagnosis on a bird online without a hands-on physical examination, and diagnostic tests any suggestion online is merely a guess.



The first step towards better care would be addressing her weight loss, which if let to decline will likely result in her expiration. I'm sure you can notice her head tucked in which is a sign she is attempting to preserve body heat; with no food in the system, there is nothing that can be broken down to create metabolic body heat which can result in hypothermia.

If she feels more comfortable with the flock you might keep her outside, but keep her in a penned-off area where she can easily access feed and water, and where you can supplement heat via a heating pad, or a heat lamp to help maintain normothermia.

If she will not readily eat food or even her favorite treats, supplemental tube feeding would be suggested to keep her weight from declining. Here is some information on tube feeding here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

Treating on a conjecture basis is generally not recommended, but if that is the only route you're willing to take, it may be better than nothing. In addition with the supportive care, you may consider starting her on a broad range antibiotic such as this one, and note whether there are any improvements or not.

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10

Gastrointestinal parasites can cause emaciation, which can result in neurological issues so if you wish to start the bird on an anthelmintic, you may try. SafeGuard Liquid goat dewormer has broad range coverage, and good efficacy.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/merck-animal-health-safe-guard-dewormer-for-goats-125ml

Nutritional therapy via poultry/human vitamins may be helpful, but if used in conjunction with Baytril, you will have to ensure there is no calcium as that can interfere with Baytril's effectivness.

Thank you! This is incredibly helpful.