One of my ducks died instantly?

[fethr37]

I have seven healthy ducks that I take great care in and do everything I can to keep them healthy. One of my Appleyard girls died right before my eyes in a matter of seconds. She acted as if her neck was broken but that was not the case. Happy and healthy enjoying life with the rest of the flock one minute and dead the next? Never have I experianced anything like this before? She was only a year and a half old. My guess is she had a heart attack or stroke but find that to be odd at such a young age.

 

[cavemanrich]

The possibilities you mention are not only guaranteed at older age. While when young these thing are rare, they are not unheard of.

I feel SAD along with you .

. WISHING YOU BEST.

 

[Carcajou]

I have seven healthy ducks that I take great care in and do everything I can to keep them healthy. One of my Appleyard girls died right before my eyes in a matter of seconds. She acted as if her neck was broken but that was not the case. Happy and healthy enjoying life with the rest of the flock one minute and dead the next? Never have I experianced anything like this before? She was only a year and a half old. My guess is she had a heart attack or stroke but find that to be odd at such a young age.

Sorry for your loss

 

[jducour]

So Sorry for your loss! Can you explain better what happened? I can't visualize what happened. @Amiga has helped me so many times, maybe with a better description you can get help figuring out what caused it, and hopefully prevent it happening to one of your other ducks. It could be an illness, or something environmental. Have you performed a necropsy? That would be helpful too.

 

[Amiga]

Awful. Michele had seemed a little down weeks earlier, took her to the vet who found nothing wrong. Then one morning, she just did not get up. A necropsy showed it was egg yolk peritonitis. Ducks can, as already mentioned, have strokes or heart attacks. A necropsy is the only way to know.

 

[fethr37]

Quote:
It happened so fast. I was sitting several feet across the pond from them talking on the phone. Heard loud quaks from the others and noticed "Cindy" walking as if she had a broken leg,next second she is flipping around as if her neck was broken,2 seconds later when I got to her she was belly down,wings flapping and then died. No necropsy,but thing about checking her crop before I bury her. Another thought is the hand dug pond they use? Or even avain flu from song birds which get into their feed bowl. But did not think anything like would cause a seemingly healthy young duck to have such a sudden death?

 

[fethr37]

Quote:
She may have been bit over weight and did seem to eat a lot.. Another thought is she may have choked on a twig or piece of plastic? thx

 

[Amiga]

Yes, they can choke.

 

[fethr37]

Well I guess I can rule out that she choked,didn;t find anything lodged. I'm almost positive she had a major heart attack now

 

[fethr37]

All the other causes(bio-toxins,poison mushrooms,plants etc.etc. I've researched listed symptoms leading up to death. Hers only lasted within 10 seconds,she was doing business as normal before. Just never had one die of a major heart attack before my eyes. She was my best duck.