Duck having seizures and crusty eyes

[ChickenMamaSarah]

I have a seven week old duckling that I noticed having a seizure on Sunday then again on Monday. I’m not out there with them all the time but I suspwanna car she’s had more than these two. Afterwards she is wobbly and has trouble walking for a while. She seems lethargic and isn’t eating or quacking as much as she normally does. And now I noticed her eyes have been crusty and the left one she intermittently keeps closed. I have one other duck that’s the same age that appears healthy. They are in the same pen as 9 chickens. I think she is a buff Orpington but I’m not sure. She does have a little tuft of feathers that comes off one side of her head so maybe she’s some kind of crested duck? I’m not sure if that could have anything to do with her seizures or not. I feed them game bird crumbles and chicken feed as well as meal worms and some table scraps. They have hay for bedding inside the coop where all the birds sleep at night and a shallow swimming pool that they play in. I’m baffled and really worried. She’s so sweet and I don’t know what to do. Any advice would be so appreciated.

 

[arrowti]

I can't offer much advice from medical side as I've never dealt with neurological problems in ducks...

But in crested ducks, neurological problems, such as seizures, is unfortunately common. Crested ducks have a hole in their skull, which is where the tuft of fur comes from. It is possible the duck is having seizures from a treatable medical condition, though, so stay tuned for a duck person with more understanding of how to treat these.

First - I would separate her in case she is sick, injured, or could be getting picked on (pecked at her eyes, chased away from the food), especially since she's in with chickens who are notoriously peck-happy. Make sure she has a bowl deep enough to cover her eyes in to clean them. If she isn't eating as much make sure she gets electrolytes or nutrients (nutridrench) in her water. I would coax her to eat by mixing treats (lettuce, cucumbers, peas) into her food.

How is her poop? Color, solidity? Duck poop should resemble what they eat - if she has eaten a lot of grain it should be a more solid, brown color. If she is foraging grass and drinking a lot of water it could be liquid and green. However, if she is not eating grass/plants and the poop is green and runny it could be diarrhea.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Maybe add some acv to her drinking water so that she can dunk her head in. This has helped other memebers who's ducks have had eye infections. And, I believe there is a medicine called teramyacin (sp?) that you can find at tsc for eye infections.
Does she have any drainage coming from her nostrils?
As far as the seizures, it is most likely because she is a crested duck.

 

[ChickenMamaSarah]

I’m not sure if she’s technically considered a crested but she does have about four or five long feathers that come off her head and you can feel fatty tissue underneath it. If the seizures are from this would she outgrow it or is this a fatal issue? I don’t want her to suffer. It’s weird because she’s been so healthy so far then all of the sudden all of this happens.
As far as separating her from the chickens, should I put her with the other duck? They are very much bonded. I think they would bo H stress out if they were away from each other.
She does have three different water sources that are deep enough for complete head submersion. I’ll get the Nutridrench tomorrow and make sure she gets it.
Because there are so many birds in with her it’s hard to tell but I think I saw her poop and it was liquid and green. Definitely not normal. I know the electrolytes will help with that but would you recommend probiotics in the water as well? Or antibiotics?

 

[ChickenMamaSarah]

She doesn’t have any nasal drainage that I can see. Her bill got pretty banged up from the seizure that I witnessed so there was a little blood but no other drainage.
Can I put the apple cider video begat in with nutridrench or probiotics? And I think I actually have some antibiotic eye ointment on hand!
As far as cresteds having seizures, will she love an ok life with them or grow out of it? I’m just not sure what to do. I don’t want her to suffer and she’s bonded with my other duck too. If I lose her the other one will be upset. Should I get a third duck just in case?

 

[arrowti]

I'd say put her with the other duck but away from the chickens. Chickens can and will go after any bird that acts sick or weak. Ducks might, but I haven't seen it often. I don't see why you couldn't mix ACV with the others as they seem to be pretty normal.

As far as her life quality.. it really depends. I don't know if they get worse or better as they get older (I have never had a crested). I would watch her. See how many seizures she has on average, and how bad they are, and how long it takes her to recover (if she recovers fully). I have a dog with epilepsy so I know how stressful it is for us having to watch our animals go through a seizure. If she hits a point in which she cannot live a normal life, and is constantly having, or recovering from, seizures, I would probably say her quality of life is poor.

I do recommend getting another duck just as a precaution. Also, the second duck might be lonely while she is in 'recovery' following a seizure.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

X2 I can't add anything more to what @arrow to stated.
Keep us updated.

 

[CayugaJana]

The number one reason ducks have seizures in my experience is vitamin b deficiency. Since your duck is crested, there’s a chance it’s neurological problems are genetic. And it’s not surprising it’s only one duck having problems. Every duck absorbs and uses nutrients at different rates. But first, adding vitamin b complex is simple and relieves seizures most of the time. So it’s definitely worth a shot. Go to TSC and get vitamin b complex. It has several vitamins in it, hence the complex wording. It is in the cattle and poultry vitamin section. It will be in the same section at a local feed store. Give your duck 1mL mixed in with some mealworms a day.

If it’s a vitamin deficiency, it can take up to a week to see improvement. And it can’t hurt the duck it can only help. Let me know if you need anymore help. I’ve had a couple ducks have seizures and it’s terrible to watch.

 

[ChickenMamaSarah]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. She seems to be doing better. I haven't seen anymore seizures and she doesn't appear to have had any that I can tell. She is eating a little better and drinking. I hope she pulls through. She's very loved!