Feathers on wings

[DuckyDonna]

This is the B-complex that works the best. Can easily be found at Tractor Supply

 

[angiemray]

Hello. Me again. I got the vitamins you suggested and have been giving that daily. If it is going to make a difference how long until you think we might notice. I just hate seeing him like this. He can’t lift his head. He can’t swim unless someone is holding his head up. So sad.

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear that, if it was thiamine related, given her age it may take a few weeks, but let me look in a few of my vet books, and I'll get back to you later this evening.

 

[angiemray]

Thank you so much. I‘m just at a loss

 

[Isaac 0]

Hi again, so it seems there are many etiologies that may cause some paralysis of the neck muscles, to name a few, malnutrition in thiamine, calcium or vitamin D, tumor's, viral disease or infection, head/neck trauma, toxin ingestion, and or kidney problems.

The problem is most birds owner do not have access to diagnostic tests such as CBC, Biochemistries, specific tests for detecting levels of toxins, radiographs, electroencephalograms, electromyograms, auditory evoke potentials, CT scans, and MRI, diagnosis on your duck almost solely relies on these test, so if taking your bird to an avian vet is an option, I would HIGHLY suggest doing so because there is little the normal bird owner can do.

For now, I think the most you can do for your duck if you aren’t able to take her to a vet, is administer an all-around poultry vitamin for a few weeks and see if there is any improvement along with this supportive care.

I'm sorry we couldn't be more of help, but problems like this aren't easy to diagnosis without the kind of testing they have available at most vet clinics.

Like I said above, given her age, reaction to the vitamins may be more prolonged compared to young ducklings since the muscles have become more set in place, perhaps moving her neck around every day may help strengthen the muscles once again.

I do have one more question, how long has she been like this? Please keep us posted, I'd be more than glad to help you through this, with bird owner's, while it may be a laborious process diagnosis is made by eliminating other possible causes. We'll start with malnutrition.

 

[angiemray]

I can’t thank you enough for your help. He is about 7 weeks old and I would say about 3-3 1/2 weeks he has been like this. We’ve taken him to 2 different veterinarians, but they have not run any blood tests or anything.

 

[Isaac 0]

I can’t thank you enough for your help. He is about 7 weeks old and I would say about 3-3 1/2 weeks he has been like this. We’ve taken him to 2 different veterinarians, but they have not run any blood tests or anything.

If you give me your general location, I may be able to find a good avian vet for you, I'm surprised they didn't do any blood test or anything.

So I'm just speaking out loud here, but I would assume if the cause of the neck paralysis was due to some infection or viral disease, or some type of toxin ingestion, we'd most likely be seeing a rapid decline in her state of health by now, along with other crippling symptoms like lethargy or loss of appetite. So for treatment, I'd probably keep administering the B complex that contains thiamine, and for neurological health start adding one 400iu vitamin E soft gel capsule over some treats or orally once a day, continue to stick with the regime for a few weeks and hopefully we'll see some improvement.

Along with the above, let her get exercise a few times a day, stretch her neck out, lift it up, basically excise the muscles every day before they become useless and non-functioning, if that doesn't work my next guess would be some neurological damage.

 

[angiemray]

Okay thank you. We are in Cincinnati, Ohio. They did say they think there is some neurological damage? Not sure from what, but said that he is healthy otherwise. He has not gotten any worse since it started, just not any better. He still definitely has an appetite. I’ll try the other recommendations you mentioned. I just hate seeing him not be able to do normal duck activities. He is housed with another male khaki Campbell and I’m afraid he’s starting to pick at him as well thanks again for taking time to give your advice!

 

[Isaac 0]

I'll find a few good vets for you then, give me a few minutes. Neurological damage would be a probable explanation of the paralysis of the neck.

 

[Isaac 0]

Here are a few,

Dr. Christal Pollock	Lafeber Company		OH	​	x​	​
Dr. Julie Esposito	Clermont Animal Hospital	Cincinnati	OH	513-732-1730​	​	x​
Dr. Barbara Oglesbee	Capital Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center	Columbus	OH	614-870-0480​	x​	​
Dr. Gary Riggs, DVM	4873 Richland Ave	Norton	OH	330-825-2434​	X​	X​
Dr. Gary Riggs	North Coast Bird & Exotic Specialty Hospital	Norton	OH	330-825-2434​	x​	​
	Tipp City Veterinary Hosp & Wellness Center	Tipp City	OH	937-667-8489​	​	x​
Dr. Susan Orosz	Bird & Exotic Pet Wellness Center	Toledo	OH	419-843-3137​	x​