Duckling with epilepsy?

[nissa_loves_cats]

I have a duckling with a problem--- he seems to be falling over a lot. He looks up a lot and from that position sometimes falls over backwards. He's eating and drinking OK but he doesn't seem to get over this falling thing. Do ducks get epilepsy?

 

[katharinad]

This can be caused by a lack of electrolytes, niacin, or too much salt. Salt falls out of the question if you are not adding any to the water. I would suggest to get a supplement electrolyte/vitamin mix. I use this one . You only need like 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water, so this goes a long way. I give newborns that type of water for the first week, then once per week, and after 10 weeks once per month. Your feed store may sell something like it.
Katharina

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

I forgot to mention, the duckling is only a week old and has had the problem since hatching. I haven't put vitamins in the water, but I have been feeding a feed meant for ducks so one would think it would have enough of everything ducks need. But I doubt it could be due to vitamin deficiency since he had the problem even before he was old enough to eat. (I will consider giving vitamins in water if I can find some in my area or get it online.)

 

[duckyfromoz]

Ducklings can hatch with a nutritional deficiency. It is the quailty of the egg that will result in a poorly duckling. The feed you are using will have the nutrients needed for a duckling to maintain and grow- but doesnt give the extra a duckling that hatches defecient will need. Thiamine is the vitamin I would guess it may be defiecient in from what you have described.

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

I'll really have to go out and get the vitamin supplement now! Thanks for the advice. The little duckling is still alive and seems to be OK except it's a bit smaller than most of the others in the group but it may just be it's getting more exercise what with throwing the fits and all.

 

[DesertChickens]

Just the other day, I finally caught one of our Roen ducks having a seizure. We had always known she was a little bit different: she sometimes would withdraw and would not stay with the rest of the flock, didn't care to eat when others got treats, and so forth.

She's just a little bit over 8 weeks old, but she handled the seizure like any other animal would. Once the episode was over, you could see the clarity come back to her, and off she went for a swim. Granted, she wasn't too thrilled about the fact I was right next to her, petting her belly until she was finished

Their diet is just fine, and there are no other obvious outside influences that could explain her episodes. The fact the others, nor the chickens, are having them tells me it's just the way she is.

We love her all the same, and are glad to have her in the family. I think it's important for people to understand that epilepsy is not a death sentence. While scary for the "mom" or "dad", it will generally all be ok.