giving antibiotics to ducks

[Apolinne]

Silly question but better safe than sorry: When giving antibiotics to ducks in water, as per vets instructions, should I only make the medicated water available or should I also give them access to clean water (without antibiotics)?
I would presume making only the medicated water available ensures everyone drinks plenty of the medication, which is what I did last time and the meds lasted me 4 days. This time the vet specifically said I need to give the same antibiotics into the water for 6 days which makes 1,7 liter a day and that's very little water for 8 duckies.
Maybe I should make the medicated water available until they drink it all and then give clean water ?
What to do ?
Thank you

 

[nuthatched]

Which antibiotics did the vet subscribe? Most aren't given in water so this is unusual.

 

[ruthhope]

The problem with antibiotics in water I'd that it is not possible to ensure each duck gets a dull dose. Tgat leads to antibiotic resistance. Hence, as @nuthatched alreasy said, we do not normally give ducks antibiotics in their water.

But to answer your question,only give the medicated water until it is gone each day then offer plain water for the rest of the day. That is the only way to ensure the medicated water is used, but they will use it for washing, splashing, and having fun in addition to drinking!

 

[Apolinne]

Which antibiotics did the vet subscribe? Most aren't given in water so this is unusual.

It's called TIAGAL, tiamulinum - on the package it says to give orally, dissolved in water - the vet says to put it in their drinking water and make it last 6 days. And when I came home and looked at the ratio, I realised it's 1,7 liters a day.

 

[Apolinne]

I have found this video that has some information on the antibiotics but I don't know if it is accurate. My vet said my duckies probably have mycoplasma, but didn't test them for anything.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So he just guessed? Thats reassuring. I guess he was going by symptoms? I hope the meds cure them.