HELP! WHY DOES MY DUCK GO 'STIFF'????

[daffyduck69]

Can someone please help & shed some light on this, it's really starting to freak me out...
I have a 4 month old female Khaki Campbell & just the last two weeks she has started to go 'stiff' like she's paralysed or something...
at first I thought the water was too cold for her, so started making it warmer, but she is doing it in & out of the water & in the last couple of days, it just happens out of the blue when she hasn't even been in the water.
It's really starting to frighten me...do I need to take her to the vet? is she lacking in something? or could I be feeding her something I shouldn't be???
Her diet consists of : pellets / mixed grain / peas / bok choy / sometimes green grapes / garden worms / odd snail
PLEASE HELP.... I'd hate to think I'm doing something wrong with her.
Thank you in advance, I am a first-time duck owner & still have so much to learn!

 

[Orca5094]

I'm no expert, but it kind of sounds like she's possibly having seizures? How long do these "stiff" behaviors last? It sounds like you're feeding her all the right things, so it might not be something you have any control over. Looks like you're in Australia, so I really don't think it's getting too cold for her there this time of year. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some more insight!

Edit: I'm assuming you know for sure she is eating well and is acting normally otherwise?

 

[daffyduck69]

Thanks for answering. ....they last about a minute & I gently rub her chest in the hope it helps? Think I will have to take her to vet after xmas. She seems happy & active apart from these episodes...just like a mischievous little puppy! Yes I'm in Australia, just south of sydney so is warm as summer. Thanks again

 

[Orca5094]

Yeah, definitely get her to a vet if you have the means. Hopefully they can shed some light on why this is happening. Good to hear she seems fine otherwise so far, though! Really hope they can help her get over this. I know it would scare the heck out of me, too!

 

[daffyduck69]

She's a beautiful girl & I'd hate it to be something major fingers crossed it's not too serious. Merry Christmas!

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like seizures, from what I read here. They can be caused by an infection that gets into the nervous system. I think ataxia is a word used for this.

Here is an article from Kimberly Link about seizures. It is from the Majestic Waterfowl newsletter.

"Lifelong seizures are often the result of neurological disorders, which can be genetic, but are more likely the result of a brain or spinal accident that occurred while they were still inside their egg, or the result of an early life injury caused by mishandling (children who hold on too tight), dropping or falling.
The sudden onslaught of seizures in adult ducks and geese is most commonly the result of some kind of poisoning (see our June 2013 Newsletter for detailed information),but other causes may include: injury, tumors, cancer, malnutrition, heatstroke, organ failure and contagious disease.
If your duck or goose is experiencing seizures it's vital that they receive immediate vet care.
To keep your pet's strength up until you arrive at your vet's office, you can give adult birds that weigh more than 3 pounds a 6 ml dose of Karo syrup immediately following each seizure, but remember, this is not a cure. You and your vet will need to determine the cause of the seizures and the appropriate treatment regime."

 

[daffyduck69]

thank you Amiga...
after having read the newsletter you sent the link to, we think we have put it down to her having some plant fertiliser balls, I didn't realise my husband had put some in a few pots & then he said he saw here nibbling around those plants!!!! I will get her to the vet today when I finish work.
it has been worrying me terribly so hopefully that is all it is??
thank you for also answering my question

 

[Miss Lydia]

thank you Amiga...
after having read the newsletter you sent the link to, we think we have put it down to her having some plant fertiliser balls, I didn't realise my husband had put some in a few pots & then he said he saw here nibbling around those plants!!!! I will get her to the vet today when I finish work.
it has been worrying me terribly so hopefully that is all it is??
thank you for also answering my question

Oh gosh I hope the vet can help.

 

[Orca5094]

Good luck, I really hope they can help her. Keep us updated!

 

[Amiga]

If you think it's poisoning, give some activated charcoal slurry and lots of water, and do get her to a vet.

At this point I would NOT do a flush, but would give the charcoal (it is a food-grade supplement available in many pharmacies). Even a teaspoon of charcoal in a quart of water might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal#post_9508213

Also, the fertilizer pellets may be very salty, and you could be seeing salt toxicity, so fresh water should help.