Duckling Acts Drunk Flops on Back

[Duckrazy]

I'd like to ad that it us very easy to "tube" them...its a small catheter tube that's appox. 3mm o.d. plastic tube...it goes down smoothly with a little bias to the left of the epiglottis.. it is flared at one end to accept a syringe...I was giving D-penacilimine as a chealating agent for hardware disease... this was treatment prescribed by an avian vet (exotics)...of which believe it or not...there are only about 160 of them worldwide... hard to believe...

 

[Duckrazy]

Oh yeah that was here in Boston at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital. The catheter goes down at least 12"...also hard to believe... But surprisingly very easy to do.

 

[astronomer]

48 hour update:
Gave her a bath in warm water. Made the sink deep enough for her to swim. She seemed to enjoy that. Apparently you can't flop over on your back when you float, so she can swim quite well. Dried her with a blow dryer.

I can't say she's doing any better. She's not getting worse. I don't know what time frame I should be looking at to see improvements.
If it's not toxicity (flushed her with Epsom salts), or an infection (been using antibiotics), or a niacin (give her plenty of brewers yeast) deficiency, then I'm left with a possible neurological disorder? Seems odd to show up this late.

 

[chooks4life]

Quote:

 

[astronomer]

72 Hour Update:

Still not showing signs of improvement, but also not getting worse.

Thinking about trying Sodium Sulfathiazole, Sodium Sulfamethazine, and Sodium Sulfacetamide (triple sulfa) cocktail tomorrow.

 

[chooks4life]

72 Hour Update:

Still not showing signs of improvement, but also not getting worse.

Thinking about trying Sodium Sulfathiazole, Sodium Sulfamethazine, and Sodium Sulfacetamide (triple sulfa) cocktail tomorrow.

Best wishes with that, hope something works.

 

[astronomer]

Well she started showing symptoms 7 days ago. I've been treating her for 5 days with no noticeable improvement. (3 days on Cephalexin, 2 on triple sulfa)
I would think she'd be showing signs of recovery by now.
It seems like there are so many diseases that give these symptoms.
Anatipestifer Disease
Duck Viral Enteritis
Toxoplasmosis

In the case of toxoplasmosis, I've read the only thing you can do is euthanize the bird, as the neurological effects are permanent.

This sucks! I also have 10 new ducklings coming tomorrow, and I already have a new pen built for them, but I'm scared of this happening again. It's physically and emotionally draining.
I don't know what to do.

Symptoms so far are lethargy, uncoordinated, diarrhea, head shaking (although sometimes these look like sneezes).
She seems to only walk backwards. She wedges herself up against a wall to keep from falling over. Once she falls on her back, she can sometimes right herself, but often ends up laying there on her back.

 

[Duckrazy]

Dear Astronomer...I am praying for her...,you... and the flock and I'm an athiest... I myself could not bear to lose a duck. Let's hope its not a contagion. Once again I've read that ducks are very resilient... keep her hydrated. Len

 

[chooks4life]

This sucks! I also have 10 new ducklings coming tomorrow, and I already have a new pen built for them, but I'm scared of this happening again. It's physically and emotionally draining.
I don't know what to do.

Sorry it's not improving. For what it's worth (nothing right now, I know) this is one big reason I prefer backyard bred mongrels, they're highly resistant to and immune to many things that knock down hatchery bred stock at first strike.

If you suspect a toxin in the guts or really anywhere in the system, megadose of vit C is proven to work against many things from chemical to natural toxins, viral and bacterial and fungal infections, etc; another thing that can work wonders is garlic, just fresh raw minced garlic, worth researching if you don't know the science behind it; also I use lime (calcium carbonate) to control pathogen etc burdens in the soil, so this could potentially cover a few fronts in your battle. Stuff to try if you're out of ideas, anyway.

Best wishes.

 

[astronomer]

Sadly she died last night. I'm actually relived. She was so sick. New ducklings arrive today. Tons to do. Thanks for all the suggestions.