Long term Botulism recovery

[FloridaDuckGuy]

Howdy!
We had our first run in with Botulism this summer. Heavy rains, stagnant water sitting in the yard and many insects, I believe are to blame.

By the time we figured it out, we lost a one month old duckling. Then a raccoon attacked the flock, and the big Alpha Drake (named Drake) tried to defend the flock. He got a nasty leg wound and then botulism, and he died.

We now have a 2 month old duckling, and she has made it through the worst of it. She is healthy overall now, but has very limited motor functions.

She has full use of one leg only. She can flap her wings with fervor. She can groom parts of herself, eat and drink water just fine. That right leg though, it's just not working at all.

We give her exercise and swimming time (she lists to one side, due to swimming in circles with one leg). She can't walk at all, but wants to try with her one leg.

Question: What have y'all done for long term rehabilitation / neuro repair / physical therapy, to help a duck regain motor control of both legs?

73
Bryan

 

[Canadian Wind]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sounds like you had one heck of a time with it. Have you been to a vet to get some x-rays done?

I would suggest perhaps supplementing her food with some Niacin, or, better yet, Durvet High Potency Vitamin B Complex, which you can get at TSC. It's labeled as injection for large livestock, but folks here feed it directly, 1ml over treats if I remember correctly.

Do you have pictures?

 

[FloridaDuckGuy]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sounds like you had one heck of a time with it. Have you been to a vet to get some x-rays done?

I would suggest perhaps supplementing her food with some Niacin, or, better yet, Durvet High Potency Vitamin B Complex, which you can get at TSC. It's labeled as injection for large livestock, but folks here feed it directly, 1ml over treats if I remember correctly.

Do you have pictures?

No x-rays or vet visit, not an option here.
We've been supplementing Niacin and were initially supplementing the B Complex that you noted.

From what I have learned, it appears that Botulism is a Neuro toxin. So repairing neurological damage (brain to that right leg) is required. I'm equipped to load her body up with supplements to help the physical side of things.

Just wondering exactly what can be done to help with the neurological repair and regaining motor control.

 

[ruthhope]

All that can be done is physiotherapy. Your sling is great. You need to passively move the right leg -- frequently to stop the joints becoming rigid. Hydrotherapy is good in water deep enough to float not just stand on one leg. That is in a bathtub or similar, not a kiddie pool. Can she swim? Does the leg move in water?

I would try physio and hydrotherapy sessions 4 times a day, and allow for a long haul. Neurorecovery takes a long time and can continue for months. (In humans, recovery can continue for 2 or more years with supportive therapy)

 

[FloridaDuckGuy]

All that can be done is physiotherapy. Your sling is great. You need to passively move the right leg -- frequently to stop the joints becoming rigid. Hydrotherapy is good in water deep enough to float not just stand on one leg. That is in a bathtub or similar, not a kiddie pool. Can she swim? Does the leg move in water?

I would try physio and hydrotherapy sessions 4 times a day, and allow for a long haul. Neurorecovery takes a long time and can continue for months. (In humans, recovery can continue for 2 or more years with supportive therapy)

Thank you for this info!
She can swim around in the kiddie pool with her good leg, but there is no movement of the right leg at all. I could come up with a way to make or buy a deeper pool, the other ducks would love that too!

So physically moving the leg and allowing for low resistance movement should help. That's what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Thank you for not giving up on her!

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you for this info!
She can swim around in the kiddie pool with her good leg, but there is no movement of the right leg at all. I could come up with a way to make or buy a deeper pool, the other ducks would love that too!

So physically moving the leg and allowing for low resistance movement should help. That's what I was looking for. Thanks!

Even a deep storage tub will work for now.

 

[raingarden]

What are the signs that it was botulism and not something else??

 

[Suzykool]

Thank you for this info!
She can swim around in the kiddie pool with her good leg, but there is no movement of the right leg at all. I could come up with a way to make or buy a deeper pool, the other ducks would love that too!

So physically moving the leg and allowing for low resistance movement should help. That's what I was looking for. Thanks!

Go online and look for dog bath collapse pools, large with drain. Great duck pool and always drain because if you try to flip it you'll damage the seams. Another great tidbit, the duck water is great for ground watering veggies. Position the pool with drain facing your garden and you'll give it a nutrient blast every time you drain to refill. At least once a week.
Also found out ducks poop so quickly in clean water because it helps control bacteria?? Who knew!

 

[Suzykool]

Even a deep storage tub will work for now.

Epsom salt baths in the large container in the tub, they seem more chill indoors. Great for aches and pains and good detox to drink. Did you try charcoal slurry, I'm just doing with my duck now for a sickness I'm not sure if toxins or botulism?? Lame ducks