Duck is having seizure like behavior

[juniverse]

My duck Chippy is a BLIND Mallard who started showing signs of severe imbalance 5 days ago. Usually he get's like this when he gets excited and chases things in a circle. Sometimes he gets dizzy from doing this but he recovers very fast. Despite his blindness, his motor skills are really good prior to this situation.

However, for the past 5 days he's been working himself so much that he nods his head back and forth to the point where he is puking up his food. He's a fighter and while he is doing this, he still manages to sip and drink water. I suspect it's some sort of infection or perhaps botulism? Please let me know your thoughts.

View the video here to see his behavior:

Breed: Mallard
Gender: Male
Age: 5 years old

Vet's Visit
The doctor found that his back toenail on the left foot came off and he cauterized the wound. This surprised us because we never caught it and didn't see blood on the floor. But he could not explain if the wound is the cause of his seizure like behavior. He gave him a bunch of shots and told us to come back in 3 days if there is no improvement the he will then need to do testing. My vet is not really an avian specialist but he's been able to help my ducks before... but I still question his reliability...

The shots included:

1. Antibotics
2. Vitamins
3. Antiinflamatory
4. Cauterized the back tow where the nail used to be

After the visit he started to eat a little bit and drink water. Bath time is a nightmare and he swims in circles on his side and gets dizzy to where I have to stabilize him. He is sleeping and resting a lot and occasionally will walk a few steps before laying down.

Is this a permanent neurological problem or can this be fixed by healing his infection?

 

[nuthatched]

What does he eat for his normal food?
@Miss Lydia

 

[juniverse]

What does he eat for his normal food?
@Miss Lydia

His normal food is Mazuri Waterfowl Feed, and for treats he eats sliced tomatoes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aww Bless did the vet think it is an infection?
botulism is usually from eating something toxic does he go outside? anything in his area he could have gotten into?
How long has it been since he was at the vet and got his shots?
When he was in his bath before did he swim in circles? I've heard of other blind birds and animals swimming or walking in circles when blind. Might be a good idea to keep him out of water until he recovers. If it causes his symptoms to be worse.
No way any of us can say this is permanent or if it is neurological. Hopefully the meds will get him back feeling good again.

 

[juniverse]

Aww Bless did the vet think it is an infection?
botulism is usually from eating something toxic does he go outside? anything in his area he could have gotten into?
How long has it been since he was at the vet and got his shots?
When he was in his bath before did he swim in circles? I've heard of other blind birds and animals swimming or walking in circles when blind. Might be a good idea to keep him out of water until he recovers. If it causes his symptoms to be worse.
No way any of us can say this is permanent or if it is neurological. Hopefully the meds will get him back feeling good again.

Answering your questions below

• Yes he suspects it is but won't know until they do tests (I assume blood work). He wanted to try the shots first before doing the tests.
• He is an indoor duck but I do have houseplants, and wild bird food (like oiled sunflower seeds) sometimes get's in from the patio.
• It's been almost 3 days.
• Sometimes he would swim in circles and spin around prior to this situation. But now it looks bad and he is swimming sideways in circles. I will keep him out of the water as suggested. He still wants to get wet sometimes and flap the feathers. When I got him out of the bath and stabilized him he started preening with decent balance.
• Thank you I hope so too. :-(

 

[Miss Lydia]

House plants up away from where Chippy couldn't get to them?
What you said about getting him out of the bath and getting him stable then preening with decent balance sound encouraging.
Keep us updated on how he is doing.

There are flushes for botulism I just am not sure with the other meds he should also have a flush. See how he is doing tomorrow hopefully the meds are kicking in.

Here is info on Botulism
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/botulism

 

[juniverse]

House plants up away from where Chippy couldn't get to them?
What you said about getting him out of the bath and getting him stable then preening with decent balance sound encouraging.
Keep us updated on how he is doing.

There are flushes for botulism I just am not sure with the other meds he should also have a flush. See how he is doing tomorrow hopefully the meds are kicking in.

Here is info on Botulism
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/botulism

Plants are still reachable but I did not see any bite marks on them or torn leaves. I am moving them just in case.

He's even trying to sleep while standing on one foot right now! Yoga duck!

I am gonna give it over night and see in the morning.
Thank you for the link!!

And also thank you for being sweet!

 

[ruthhope]

How is your mallard doing juniverse?

 

[juniverse]

Hey Ruth! So sorry I have not updated everyone. I took Chippy to the vet and they gave him antibiotics for the infection. This was administered through mouth.

After 2 weeks he got better and was back to himself.
However, a little time has passed and it looks like his symptoms are back...

I am administering his mouth medication again for another 2 weeks.

Also I checked his feet... looks like he has small cuts and fissures (most likely due to dry feet). I am working on healing those as I have dealt with bumblefoot before.

Let me know if this treatment is best:
- soak foot in epsom salts
- spray with vetericyn
- wrap foot with gauze and plain neosporin (no pain relief additives)
- use special duck foot boots <3

 

[Miss Lydia]

@ruthhope