My duck is exhibiting strange behavior

[Cayuga Lover]

Also, we would do almost anything for any of our animals. The problem is we have a vet that will see ducks, but she freely admits she knows nothing about them from experience. She ends up researching things, too. When we had a duck with a respiratory infection, I called every vet within a reasonable driving distance and they either wouldn’t see ducks or knew nothing about them like our vet. We could get an X-ray, but I don’t think our vet would know what to do next.

 

[Cayuga Lover]

Hubby has to go back to work after two weeks off, so he had to feed the ducks early today. It is very cold out right now and our duck moved her neck to her left (like in the video) and then moved it further, then further. Clearly having a harder time. The only difference is that it’s earlier and a lot colder. Could this be an inner ear infection?

 

[Miss Lydia]

No way of knowing unless you look into the ear and see if it's inflamed . If it is infection the vet can prescribe antibiotics.

 

[casportpony]

Hubby has to go back to work after two weeks off, so he had to feed the ducks early today. It is very cold out right now and our duck moved her neck to her left (like in the video) and then moved it further, then further. Clearly having a harder time. The only difference is that it’s earlier and a lot colder. Could this be an inner ear infection?

Does the duck only do this when eating?

 

[Cayuga Lover]

The duck only does this when swallowing...so yes, eating and drinking.

I’ve never looked at a duck’s ear. Do I just move the down/feathers on her head the wrong way and I’ll see them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’m sure @casportpony has a diagram of right where those ears are located. But yep just move the feathers and look you should be able to find them.

 

[Cayuga Lover]

Does it make sense that this could be an inner ear thing?

I’m a nurse, but ducks are completely different than people, which is frustrating LOL Because she is eating, acting normally and has no other issues than the neck thing, I thought of inner ear. But I could be completely wrong. We will check as soon as hubby and I are home together when it’s light out.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Best way to tell is to examine those ears. I really hope you can figure out what is going on with her. Does she shake her head much? Seems I read that can be a sign of ear infection.

 

[casportpony]

Does it make sense that this could be an inner ear thing?

I’m a nurse, but ducks are completely different than people, which is frustrating LOL Because she is eating, acting normally and has no other issues than the neck thing, I thought of inner ear. But I could be completely wrong. We will check as soon as hubby and I are home together when it’s light out.

If she only does it when eating and drinking it is almost certainly related to the mouth, esophagus, or crop, not the inner ear.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Cayuga Lover