Emergency, sick duck

[kwik-kwak]

I just opened a topic in the emergency section but later realized that this section contains the duck specialists. I don't know if it's allowed but I don't have any responses yet and I'm very worried.

Here is the link to the topic where I explained everything, I hope someone can advise me. Topic -> click

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[kwik-kwak]

It seems to be going much better. He now stands on his own and the wings are no longer hanging. I'll check again later and give some food and water.

I just gave him extra water, he wasn't really thirsty. I left the water in the coop so he can drink if he wants. Later tonight I'm going to bring some food and see how it goes.

Is botulism also something that arises so acutely? I went to have a look at them today around four o'clock and then there was nothing visible and two hours later he could no longer stand on his legs. Now a few hours later he can stand and walk independently again and is a lot more alert. But I can still see from his appearance that it is not quite right yet...

Indeed, he can choose whether he lies against the hot water bottle or not.

I'd rather not bring him in because I'm afraid that will cause him extra stress. I have two ducks, so the other one would have to come in too or be left alone. I'm just afraid that it disrupts them too much.

The temperature is currently around freezing, so not really extreme, it is warmer during the day.

 

[kwik-kwak]

Good news, he seems to have made a full recovery. He is actively walking around again and can even run again. He's just a little dirty because he hasn't had a bath yet. Since it is quite cold I leave the choice to him when he takes a bath.

Anyway, thank you all very much for your thoughts and help!

 

[kwik-kwak]

Yes it is a nice gift for sure In the other topic I added some pictures, I'll put them here as well. Karel was the sick one, that is the duck with the light beak. I took the pictures yesterday, the day after he was so sick. It's still going well today

 

[kwik-kwak]

Thanks for the responses. Fortunately, nothing strange happened in the meantime.

I can imagine that it is a nerve problem, perhaps indeed from the back. He is always a little clumsier than our other duck but usually knows his limitations and I never see him doing dangerous things, unlike our other duck.

Did it completely disappear with your duck in between or did it continue to move abnormally? I find it so typical that at first he seems more dead than alive and after a short time (first time about an hour, second time about ten minutes) he is completely recovered.

For now I don't think a vet can do much as they are not an avian vet and it is also quite unusual to come here with a duck (most people have them for the meat/eggs and slaughter an animal if there is a problem). They can help with basic problems such as a wound or a broken leg, but I think this is getting a bit too complex for them.
Especially because he's just 'normal' now, I'm afraid they'll simply say that there's nothing wrong and I don't think that's worth the stress.

Somehow I'm afraid it might be something genetic. We bought it at a market from someone who sold ducks and chickens for slaughter. So they are not directly bred with a view to a long and healthy life. If it's a back problem I hope it can recover. Time will tell I guess.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Seconding the question about limited feeding--I don't think ducks can eat very much at one time. Are they each getting at least 4-6 ounces of food a day?

 

[kwik-kwak]

They were bred as meat ducks and probably a cross between a pekin and a muscovy. They get fat pretty quickly (because of the pekin half, I think) and I don't want to overload their legs. If they get more food they become very lethargic and lie down a lot.
There is no snow here and there is plenty of grass and weeds for them to eat. In the morning and evening they get a large bowl and in the afternoon a handful as an extra.

So it is an option that it is feed related, but I don't want to make them very fat. This cross is mainly bred in France for 'foie gras' (fatty liver).

 

[kwik-kwak]

Seconding the question about limited feeding--I don't think ducks can eat very much at one time. Are they each getting at least 4-6 ounces of food a day?

I don't weigh the food, I'll do that later, but I'm pretty sure they will eat the stated amount at one moment.
But these are our first ducks so maybe we should do it differently...

 

[Peas4Ducks]

They were bred as meat ducks and probably a cross between a pekin and a muscovy. They get fat pretty quickly (because of the pekin half, I think) and I don't want to overload their legs. If they get more food they become very lethargic and lie down a lot.
There is no snow here and there is plenty of grass and weeds for them to eat. In the morning and evening they get a large bowl and in the afternoon a handful as an extra.

So it is an option that it is feed related, but I don't want to make them very fat. This cross is mainly bred in France for 'foie gras' (fatty liver).

Ah, that makes sense. Pekins are tricky.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, they are tricky but maybe the cross would change that for them. My ducks Muscovy, Runners, and Buffs eat a lot of feed but when we're not snowed in they get a lot of exercise and free feeding hasn't ever caused a problem.
One thing I will say is ducks are not like geese, geese can survive really well on grass but ducks need more protein which they get from their feed and the bugs they find while foraging. Just wondering if this maybe food related. How old are your ducks?
I'm not a vet so I am probably way off course here. But to get to the route of the problem sometimes we have to eliminate so maybe start by offering more feed and see if it makes a difference.