Duck with unresponsive respiratory issues?

[21RescueDucks]

I have a flock of twenty rescue ducks. One week ago, a brought a 7-year old female Indian Runner into the house as she was open mouth breathing and tail bobbing. I live in FL and it has been very hot the last week, but her breathing didn't improve in the evening when it cooled off. She did not show any other signs of distress (appeared to be eating, drinking, etc.).

I took her to the local vet on Monday (1 week ago) (who said he didn't do ducks) as the only option in my area. He gave her an injection of LA200 and an injection of Naxcel with a 7-day supply for me to take home. She eats, drinks, begs for food, continues to lay eggs, baths, grooms. While no longer open mouth breathing, she still is tail bobbing and sounds raspy when she begs. No significant improvement in a week.

I checked in with the vet on Thursday, and he gave me Sulfadimethoxine to add to the entire flocks water or 6 days to try to head off any possible issues. The others seem OK so far other than late afternoon heavy breathing (assuming because of heat). Also indicated it would be OK to give the female runner this as well. (Started Saturday for her).

Based on info found on this site, I ordered Oxine (started yesterday) in a cool mist humidifier to try. Had two treatments thus far.

I don't know where to go from here? If the LA 200 and Naxcel didn't work:

1. Is another antibiotic advised or could it be fungal or viral?
2. Could it be worms? (Gapeworms) I have some Poulty Dewormer 5X (fenbendazole capsules)
3. If fungal, will the Oxine work (and how long before improvement)?
4. I read that ACV is good for breathing issues (is this valid)?

These are rescue ducks and I'm not experienced with their care. Combing the internet and getting more anxious searching for a solution.

Appreciate input on how to proceed please!

 

[21RescueDucks]

Haven't heard from anyone and hoping to elevate this up again. Haven't been able to locate a vet (called about 10 already) who will treat ducks!

 

[GlicksChicks]

I am so sorry about your duck. The duck may have something in her breathing passageway.

I do not have much experience at all with ducks. I had one rescue but she never got sick with me.

I have had a rooster who has had an unresponsive respiratory illness. I gave him VetRX on his nose and it seemed to alleviate his symptoms, at least temporarily. Unfortunately he ended up not making it, but I think what he had was more severe than your duck because your duck seems to be acting normal except the breathing.

How long did you have the duck before it formed the breathing issues?

 

[Eggcessive]

The vet has already given two antibiotics, the LA 200 oxytet and the sulfa antibiotic similar to Bactrim. It could be a virus or fungal problem instead, in which antibiotics are not effective. The oxine can be helpful with fungal infections. If you haven’t already, I would also post on the duck forum under “forums” above.

 

[21RescueDucks]

I am so sorry about your duck. The duck may have something in her breathing passageway.

I do not have much experience at all with ducks. I had one rescue but she never got sick with me.

I have had a rooster who has had an unresponsive respiratory illness. I gave him VetRX on his nose and it seemed to alleviate his symptoms, at least temporarily. Unfortunately he ended up not making it, but I think what he had was more severe than your duck because your duck seems to be acting normal except the breathing.

How long did you have the duck before it formed the breathing issues?

Thanks for the response. I have had her 2 years at my house. Knew here prior to that also when she was living elsewhere in not a great setting. Going to take her to a bird specialist to see what's going on. Hard to locate anyone!

 

[21RescueDucks]

The vet has already given two antibiotics, the LA 200 oxytet and the sulfa antibiotic similar to Bactrim. It could be a virus or fungal problem instead, in which antibiotics are not effective. The oxine can be helpful with fungal infections. If you haven’t already, I would also post on the duck forum under “forums” above.

Thanks, will do. Taking her tomorrow for blood work as I hate to see her like this. I was thinking maybe fungal as the other ducks seem to be OK so far, or maybe some other internal issue.

 

[21RescueDucks]

Thanks, will do. Taking her tomorrow for blood work as I hate to see her like this. I was thinking maybe fungal as the other ducks seem to be OK so far, or maybe some other internal issue.

Good call on your part! Back to the vet this am and they took blood to send off and did an x-ray. They believe she has aspergillosis. I did have a couple bags of bad feed that I had used some of prior to seeing mold at the bottom. Thinking that was the cause. It was about 8 weeks ago at least, so it didn't pop up in my mind. So far, the other ducks seem fine. Meds ordered, but it will be a few days. Looking for supportive treatment options while we wait. One tough little duck. Her lungs look like they are covered in spider webs.

 

[21RescueDucks]

Update: I took the duck (named Pepper at the vet for ID) and had her blood work done and an xray. Results per Vet: Her white blood cell count is mildly elevated at 16000 (range 4.5-13000). Her packed cell volume (PCV)/hematocrit is mildly elevated at 48% (range 30-43%). The distribution of the different types of white blood cells is normal with the exception of her eosinophils. Normal eosinophils is 0-4% and Pepper has 16%. These cells respond to parasitic infections and some types of intestinal inflammatory disease. Pepper's fecal was negative however some eggs are shed intermittently. I do recommend we repeat a fecal but also it may be wise to deworm her even if the fecals continue to be negative.

Pepper's chemistry panel revealed an elevated calcium which is expected with egg laying. Her total protein, uric acid (kidney function indicator), glucose, AST (liver function indicator), and magnesium are all within normal limits. Her triglycerides are elevated at 1489 (range 25-170) which is often noted during egg laying, however I would prefer it to not be as high. Both the Aspergillosis antibody and Aspergillosis galactomannan were negative. The protein electrophoresis shows elevated beta and gamma globulins. Beta globulins reflect acute inflammation, and gamma globulins reflect active humoral immune response. The lab report says to consider infectious processes.

So what does all of this mean? She is responding to some sort of infection, but we still do not know for sure if it is bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal. Pepper does not appear to be in liver or kidney failure at this time, however I cannot rule out heart disease. Because of the negative aspergillosis titers, Aspergillosis is no longer the top differential but CANNOT be ruled out. It is possible to have a negative result in a bird with a very weakened immune system. IF their immune system is not able to create a defense then the test will find the antibodies. Neoplasia/cancer cannot be ruled out as an underlying precipitating cause but it is not my top differential at this time.

Not sure what this means for us? Vet recommended more testing (scope into her lungs), but I'm not ready for that (cost has been out of this world already). Sounds like parasites so I asked if we could worm her with Poulty Dewormer. She is still on an anti-fungal med as well right now, but doesn't look any better. Still eats, drinks, preens, baths, etc., however, the breathing with tail bobbing is still happening.

Thoughts please?