duckling seizures? HELP!

[OnceYouGoQuack]

I write this with a heavy heart, as I was just bragging about how great my "special" little guy was doing

Ok, my duckling trio are nearly four weeks now, adopted from TSC. One of them couldn't hold his neck up like the other ducklings, and turned circles before he was able to navigate where he wanted to go. Also, his eyes seemed a little different...more red/crusty than the other two. I knew of his disabilities before I got him, hoping and praying he could get a chance at a normal ducky life.

However, he has shown fantastic improvement over the last couple of weeks. I purchased some vitamin mix for their water with niacin and vitamin E (among others), giving one 'medicated' water dish per day. I recently slowed this to once every other day, as I didn't want to overload them. I can't begin to describe what a difference I saw. He was holding his head up perfectly, more proudly than my other two...I wasn't even to tell him apart from the others. :/ He stopped turning in circles, and has had NO trouble keeping up eating/drinking/pooping!

Just when I began to feel some relief, I woke this morning to him seizing in his brooder. He was on his back/side, his neck was limp, his eyes rolled back, and kicking his feet. I quickly turned him over and gently held his head, he seemed to "come-to" pretty quickly, but just laid there for a minute (quite tired) and let me stroke his back and talk to him. He bobbed his head/neck around a for a minute, seeming pretty dizzy/disoriented. A few minutes later, he is back on his feet and all is completely normal...

Unfortunately, he has had three of these seizures since 8:30 this morning. I am HEARTBROKEN, and I feel it's completely out of my control. I have researched for hours and sifted through a million other posts, but can't seem to find a disease/illness that match him completely. I'm feeding 20% starter, no change in his appetite/weight/temperament...NOTHING except these new seizures has seemed to affect him at all. I constantly monitor fresh water/dry bedding/temps. in brooder. I feel helpless! I have noticed a few threads mentioning wry neck & seizures together, and even some mention eye deformities...but most are chicken diseases. Do these also apply to ducks? I couldn't have been more proud of his transition thus far, and more hopeful for him to live a full & happy life....I am still hoping for the best for my little guy. PLEASE HELP!!!

I know I have probably left something out in all my rambling, feel free to ask. I appreciate any advice. THANK YOU!!!

 

[DenverDucky]

Poor little one! I'm Epileptic so I know how scary it really is. I can't imagine it happening to a little ducky. I know how to help a person having a seizure, but I'm not sure how to help a little duckling. Sorry

 

[missnu01]

It is sad, but sometimes chicks and ducklings have something wrong with them and just aren't meant to be. It can happen with a perfect environment, perfect food, perfect conditions, full array of vitamins...but still they just have something wrong with them that we can't fix. Try not to feel too bad about it, but next go about do not take a duckling that appears to already have a neurological issue...You can't fix them.

 

[ChristineR]

I would only offer water with the vitamins in it. I had a Pekin duckling do this once several years ago. I took him to the vet and she gave him a vitamin injection. He completely recovered. I don't remember exactly what was in the injection, though...

 

[OnceYouGoQuack]

It is sad, but sometimes chicks and ducklings have something wrong with them and just aren't meant to be. It can happen with a perfect environment, perfect food, perfect conditions, full array of vitamins...but still they just have something wrong with them that we can't fix. Try not to feel too bad about it, but next go about do not take a duckling that appears to already have a neurological issue...You can't fix them.

Thanks, missnu. I know it is out of my control, I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can. I actually didn't "pick" him out, per say. I did fall in love with him immediately, but before I could ask the employee at TSC about him, he asked if I would consider taking him for free with the other two ducklings I was purchasing. I just couldn't leave him behind, I know 'normal' people wouldn't even consider him. I am head over heels for my special guy, he truly has made some great progress. I'm just hoping for the best.

I would only offer water with the vitamins in it. I had a Pekin duckling do this once several years ago. I took him to the vet and she gave him a vitamin injection. He completely recovered. I don't remember exactly what was in the injection, though...

I will try this! Thanks so much, you made me feel a little better. I'll keep you updated!

THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[Amiga]

Here's a thought. Sometimes mineral deficiencies affect the nervous system. What if the little is low on magnesium or another mineral? This will take some time, but sprinkling a little oat bran on the food, or chopping up some pumpkin or squash seeds and sprinkling on the food, might help.

What would be peachy is if you could find a mg per body weight chart showing levels of supplementation. But, I am dreaming.

Still, I have read so much about humans discovering that their mystery ailment was a nutritional deficiency, not just vitamins but minerals or coenzymes or something else that they hadn't even known existed.

I chose magnesium as an example because its deficiency is implicated in a number of degenerative human diseases.

Dandelions have minerals in them, and so does lamb's quarter Chenopodium album. Many consider it a weed, but I think it's delicious, cooked or raw. Be careful and absolutely sure if you decide to try the lamb's quarter - don't want anyone poisoned!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's a thought. Sometimes mineral deficiencies affect the nervous system. What if the little is low on magnesium or another mineral? This will take some time, but sprinkling a little oat bran on the food, or chopping up some pumpkin or squash seeds and sprinkling on the food, might help.

What would be peachy is if you could find a mg per body weight chart showing levels of supplementation. But, I am dreaming.

Still, I have read so much about humans discovering that their mystery ailment was a nutritional deficiency, not just vitamins but minerals or coenzymes or something else that they hadn't even known existed.

I chose magnesium as an example because its deficiency is implicated in a number of degenerative human diseases.

Dandelions have minerals in them, and so does lamb's quarter Chenopodium album. Many consider it a weed, but I think it's delicious, cooked or raw. Be careful and absolutely sure if you decide to try the lamb's quarter - don't want anyone poisoned!

Where in the world would you find Lambs Quaters this time of yr? none around here. not even Dandelions yet.

 

[AppleJackAcres]

Are you using medicated chick feed? Amprolium can bind with thiamine (vitamin B1) and then they can get a deficiency in thiamine and become dizzy and literally be upside down. I had a chick last yr with it. I ended up giving thiamine and selenium-(vitamin E just to cover any other nervous system deficiency) injections for 7 days...switched to non medicated feed..(had to force feed for couple days)...got better in 2 weeks... I work for a vet so it was pretty easy to get a diagnosis with a poultry specialist.

 

[Amiga]

Where in the world would you find Lambs Quaters this time of yr? none around here. not even Dandelions yet.

Well, I don't know which hemisphere the OP is in, so the first suggestions were things one can usually find year 'round, and then I suggested the things that can be found in spring and summer

Is someone hankering for springtime?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, I don't know which hemisphere the OP is in, so the first suggestions were things one can usually find year 'round, and then I suggested the things that can be found in spring and summer

Is someone hankering for springtime?

Sounds good to me.