Duck with heart arrhythmia?

[EvaluationUnit]

Hey all,

So I took one of my Pekin boys in for a limp, and the doctor said she noticed he has a heart arrhythmia. She wanted to refer me out to a specialist, which is obviously $$$. I'm wondering if anyone has an experience with this and what I should know. Should I look into the specialist visit? I'm currently trying to focus on more pressing issues with the flock to get under control (one has some sort of respiratory bug and this one is limping ugh) so I don't know if this is something I can push off for a little.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

i would get it treated as quickly as possible, because sadly pekin are more issues because of their breed and it could easily get worse

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Pekins are meat ducks. Sadly they aren't meant to last. Just like meat chickens, they are more prone to leg and heart problems.

Plus odds are that nothing really can be done. Birds can't handle surgery very well, and I'm fairly sure that's the only way they could fix the problem

 

[EvaluationUnit]

Pekins are meat ducks. Sadly they aren't meant to last. Just like meat chickens, they are more prone to leg and heart problems.

Plus odds are that nothing really can be done. Birds can't handle surgery very well, and I'm fairly sure that's the only way they could fix the problem

That's what I was thinking... What will a specialist be able to do in this sort of situation? I'm certainly not going to explore any sort of surgical route given the way birds usually handle surgery.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I really don't think they can do anything but confirm. maybe suggest surgery or medicines

 

[KaleIAm]

That's what I was thinking... What will a specialist be able to do in this sort of situation? I'm certainly not going to explore any sort of surgical route given the way birds usually handle surgery.

I don't have experience with heart conditions in birds. One of my ducks did have a heart murmur, but it was caused by a massive respiratory fungal infection pressing on her heart. I imagine a specialist could confirm specifics. Maybe there is a medication that can slow the progression? Or lifestyle recommendations? I'm guessing.

Saving your resources for the rest of your flock is a very valid reason for not seeking out a specialist.

I do have quite a bit of direct surgical experience with birds. In my experience avian patients tend to do poorly with injectable anesthesia, and actually do well with gas anesthesia. In particular sevoflurane is very safe but because of the dramatic cost difference most clinics use isoflurane. My ducks have had surgery under isoflurane multiple times and never had an issue. The main difference I have observed between the two drugs is response time in the patient. It takes longer for the patient to fall asleep, wake up, and respond to changes in the amount of drug being delivered.

Obviously there are always risks. But birds likely do better in surgery than you think, and I thought you may like to know that.

 

[EvaluationUnit]

I don't have experience with heart conditions in birds. One of my ducks did have a heart murmur, but it was caused by a massive respiratory fungal infection pressing on her heart. I imagine a specialist could confirm specifics. Maybe there is a medication that can slow the progression? Or lifestyle recommendations? I'm guessing.

Saving your resources for the rest of your flock is a very valid reason for not seeking out a specialist.

I do have quite a bit of direct surgical experience with birds. In my experience avian patients tend to do poorly with injectable anesthesia, and actually do well with gas anesthesia. In particular sevoflurane is very safe but because of the dramatic cost difference most clinics use isoflurane. My ducks have had surgery under isoflurane multiple times and never had an issue. The main difference I have observed between the two drugs is response time in the patient. It takes longer for the patient to fall asleep, wake up, and respond to changes in the amount of drug being delivered.

Obviously there are always risks. But birds likely do better in surgery than you think, and I thought you may like to know that.

Thank you very much for weighing in. This is great information. He is the one with the limp/leg issue so dealing with his mobility and the possible infection that may be at the root of it seems like it may take precedent over the arrhythmia, but tell me if I'm wrong here.

 

[KaleIAm]

Thank you very much for weighing in. This is great information. He is the one with the limp/leg issue so dealing with his mobility and the possible infection that may be at the root of it seems like it may take precedent over the arrhythmia, but tell me if I'm wrong here.

Since I don't know much about avian heart conditions I looked a few things up. There is a lot to learn!! This article is massive and informative.

https://www.vetexotic.theclinics.com/article/S1094-9194(02)00031-2/pdf

I only read 6 pages but it looks like there are many lifestyle factors that could contribute, like calcium (does he eat layer pellets?) or obesity. I skipped to the end and skimmed the treatments, which seem to be entirely medication.

Birds can be complicated and making medical decisions for them can be really stressful. I don't know what the best thing to do is in this situation. If finances weren't a consideration it would likely be best to visit the specialist, you might have more information and be able to make better informed choices. Or you could go, the specialist could want to run several hundred to thousands of dollars worth of inconclusive testing, and send you home with nothing. (I'm NOT bitter )

 

[EvaluationUnit]

Since I don't know much about avian heart conditions I looked a few things up. There is a lot to learn!! This article is massive and informative.

https://www.vetexotic.theclinics.com/article/S1094-9194(02)00031-2/pdf

I only read 6 pages but it looks like there are many lifestyle factors that could contribute, like calcium (does he eat layer pellets?) or obesity. I skipped to the end and skimmed the treatments, which seem to be entirely medication.

Birds can be complicated and making medical decisions for them can be really stressful. I don't know what the best thing to do is in this situation. If finances weren't a consideration it would likely be best to visit the specialist, you might have more information and be able to make better informed choices. Or you could go, the specialist could want to run several hundred to thousands of dollars worth of inconclusive testing, and send you home with nothing. (I'm NOT bitter )

This is a fascinating read, thank you! It's entirely possible whatever family had him before fed him utter crap that developed this arrhythmia, along with his size (the vet, both at the rescue and new vet, have remarked he is a "big boy" but no one has specifically noted that he is overweight or obese). He is eating layer pellet currently, though we're looking to switch to some sort of all flock... It's just finding the availability of something nearby in pellet form is proving difficult (I find pellet has less waste so I don't end up with moldy food). Every time I get a bag of all flock, by the time I go back for more they don't have any. I don't want to keep switching feeds on these poor ducks all the time, so hoping I can find something soon that will reliably be in stock.

Yeah... I'm with you on the vet thing. I've spent thousands on various members of my flock this year for all unrelated things. Only one of them had a definitive diagnosis and has gotten better. It's getting pricey. Remind me not to get any more Pekins...

 

[KaleIAm]

This is a fascinating read, thank you! It's entirely possible whatever family had him before fed him utter crap that developed this arrhythmia, along with his size (the vet, both at the rescue and new vet, have remarked he is a "big boy" but no one has specifically noted that he is overweight or obese). He is eating layer pellet currently, though we're looking to switch to some sort of all flock... It's just finding the availability of something nearby in pellet form is proving difficult (I find pellet has less waste so I don't end up with moldy food). Every time I get a bag of all flock, by the time I go back for more they don't have any. I don't want to keep switching feeds on these poor ducks all the time, so hoping I can find something soon that will reliably be in stock.

Yeah... I'm with you on the vet thing. I've spent thousands on various members of my flock this year for all unrelated things. Only one of them had a definitive diagnosis and has gotten better. It's getting pricey. Remind me not to get any more Pekins...

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, life has been a bit crazy!

I also prefer to offer pellets. I have had a few members tell me they order Mazuri waterfowl maintenance online from Chewy. I never have, my local feed store special orders it for me. But I've heard that if you order above a certain dollar amount from Chewy shipping is free. That might be a possible solution to your feed and potential nutrition issue.

My pekin also has an unknown history, since she was a pond rescue. I feel like my life revolves around keeping that duck healthy. She's 6.5 so I think I'm doing ok! But it is a lot of work.