Emergency; Duck Can't Walk

[JLS1815]

Botulism, that was my first thought too! The sudden warm-up is a typical situation when those pesky bacteria can explode in something like a poopy puddle. During cold weather they grow slowly, not like other bacteria which stop growing entirely.
There's not much you can do, other than antibiotics , loving care and activated charcoal to get the poison out off th duck. I had a similar experience with my Limpy last summer. Charcoal! One hour before the antobiotics.

Where can I pick up charcoal? And how much should she get? Last time she was weighed she was around 4.8 pounds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Activated charcoal in the antacid isle at most pharmacies and Walmart. Go to the duck sticky’s on fist page of the duck forum and scroll down to flushes for toxins .

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I gave my Limpy the charcoal , and all the other medication as capsules orally: Grab duck, ignore protest, open bill, ignore protest, slide down pill into the ducks throat on the top left side of the duck's mouth so that it cannot go down the wrong way. Stuff it down ½ finger, then you both get a good drink. Don't forget to count your fingers after that action!
Limpy started Friday afternoon with his right leg being limp, then both legs were paralyzed on Saturday and on Sunday i thought he would die, because he wasn't eating or drinking. Monday morning he was better, started to drink and gulped down food by the hand-full. It took him several weeks to recover and he still has a limp in his right leg, but otherwise is doing fine. Good luck!

 

[TashaFrancois]

Warm bath. I did this for a duck and a hen this winter. Blow dry and put ointment on the legs. Hold them close in a dry towel. Gentle hold feet with warm hands. Blisters will form, use sanitized blade to pop. Clean paper towels to massage extra fluid out. Keep in warm for a couple more days.

 

[JLS1815]

I gave my Limpy the charcoal , and all the other medication as capsules orally: Grab duck, ignore protest, open bill, ignore protest, slide down pill into the ducks throat on the top left side of the duck's mouth so that it cannot go down the wrong way. Stuff it down ½ finger, then you both get a good drink. Don't forget to count your fingers after that action!
Limpy started Friday afternoon with his right leg being limp, then both legs were paralyzed on Saturday and on Sunday i thought he would die, because he wasn't eating or drinking. Monday morning he was better, started to drink and gulped down food by the hand-full. It took him several weeks to recover and he still has a limp in his right leg, but otherwise is doing fine. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice. Fingers crossed. I am going to go hunt down some charcoal. Would botulism have shown up on her blood work? And should she get the capsule once or twice a day?

 

[casportpony]

Thank you for the advice. Fingers crossed. I am going to go hunt down some charcoal. Would botulism have shown up on her blood work? And should she get the capsule once or twice a day?

Talk to your vet, they have an antitoxin that they can give for botulism I thnjk. Probably no harm in giving activated charcoal though.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thank you for the advice. Fingers crossed. I am going to go hunt down some charcoal. Would botulism have shown up on her blood work? And should she get the capsule once or twice a day?

It did show up in the blood work: High count of white blood cells is a sign for a severe infection! You cannot overdose charcoal, Limpy had to swallow three pills a day for three days. He hated it! He tried to hide his head under his wing when he saw us coming, poor duck! Important is to leave at least an hour between other medications and the charcoal and water, water, water.
If your duckie gets better, give her a warm bath and some mealworms to pick up from the bath water, works wonders!

 

[JLS1815]

Thank you everyone for your support and advice! I have been working with Dilly based on your advice and the support of my vet and she appears to have gained mobility back in her left leg. Just waiting to see if we can get that right leg moving again and she will be back to her normal happy self!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you was that's great news!! Please be sure to keep us updated. And what all you have been doing really helps others who come here for help.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thank you everyone for your support and advice! I have been working with Dilly based on your advice and the support of my vet and she appears to have gained mobility back in her left leg. Just waiting to see if we can get that right leg moving again and she will be back to her normal happy self!

That is typical for a (botulism) poisoning: The paralysis starts in one leg, then both and if the bird survives it regains mobility back in one leg first, usually the one that was paralyzed first. I hope Dilly will not have any longer lasting consequences!