HELP! EMERGENCY! Duck can’t stand and walk

[Duckie28]

My duck hasn’t been able to stand and walk. Took her to the VET and paid $500 for examination, xray and bloodwork but the doctor did nothing to help.

It’s been a week she only lays in one spot, not eating. She’s twitching and has diarrhea also

Here is the xray, any ideas???

 

[FenrisMau]

What do you feed her?

 

[nuthatched]

X2 what's her diet and what breed of she?

 

[Duckie28]

What do you feed her?

X2 what's her diet and what breed of she?

I feed her vegetables and duck feed.
She seems to feel better when i lay her with her belly up (like the attached picture). She twitches alot when she lays in a regular position, i guess she has some pain on her belly area but I’m not sure.

 

[FenrisMau]

I feed her vegetables and duck feed.
She seems to feel better when i lay her with her belly up (like the attached picture). She twitches alot when she lays in a regular position, i guess she has some pain on her belly area but I’m not sure.

Okay. It does sound like belly pain, would explain why she's not eating. It's unfortunate your vet wasn't of much help to you, many of them don't really know what to do with birds. As a default, whenever I have a bird with any internal issue I always add apple cider vinegar to their water. Can help with many things, including digestion, immunity etc, but it doesn't work fast and should be done over a period of time.

You could try numerous treatments but it would be a shot in the dark... I'd hate to take a guess. Does she at least drink?

 

[FenrisMau]

Also, even if ducks are getting enough niacin in their feed, sometimes they still need extra... Durvet's B-Complex is perfect for such a thing, but if she's not eating, will need to be administered orally via mouth, on her right side of her mouth. Just make sure none gets put in the center of her mouth, she will aspirate.

 

[nuthatched]

I feed her vegetables and duck feed.
She seems to feel better when i lay her with her belly up (like the attached picture). She twitches alot when she lays in a regular position, i guess she has some pain on her belly area but I’m not sure.

Does she get grit?
How much niacin does her feed have?

 

[Duckie28]

Okay. It does sound like belly pain, would explain why she's not eating. It's unfortunate your vet wasn't of much help to you, many of them don't really know what to do with birds. As a default, whenever I have a bird with any internal issue I always add apple cider vinegar to their water. Can help with many things, including digestion, immunity etc, but it doesn't work fast and should be done over a period of time.

You could try numerous treatments but it would be a shot in the dark... I'd hate to take a guess. Does she at least drink?

Yeah she drinks but not much, she’s been taking pain killer and antibiotics for a few days but i don’t think she’s getting any better.

I’ve been letting her sleep on her back since it seems to make her twitch less, but i heard it’s not good for ducks to sleep on their backs, idk if that’s true

I will try adding apple cider vinegar to her water, thank you for your advice!

 

[Duckie28]

Does she get grit?
How much niacin does her feed have?

No she doesn’t get grit and I’m not quite sure about the niacin. Sorry it’s my first time having a duck, i don’t have a lot of experience. I have another 4 ducks to, do i have to add niacin supplements to their food?? I will look at the duck feed once I get home and update with you

 

[nuthatched]

No she doesn’t get grit and I’m not quite sure about the niacin. Sorry it’s my first time having a duck, i don’t have a lot of experience. I have another 4 ducks to, do i have to add niacin supplements to their food?? I will look at the duck feed once I get home and update with you

Grit helps birds digest their food. It depends on their food if you have to add niacin, but I'm pretty sure she needs it now.