Pekin duck seizure help

[xdriver]

I have 2 pekin ducks and 5 chickens that were all born April 5th of this year (2012). They all live together outside and have been basically fine up until now. I have always noticed one duck to be a little bit less coordinated than the other and also sometimes look at me like he can't even see me, almost a blank stare, but today I noticed having a seizure of some nature. The duck has always been fine eating and drinking and preening and always runs over to the edge of the run when I approach from the house, so I just attested it to it being slightly off. They seizures were spread out over the day but I noticed 3 of them in about a 10 hour time frame. The first 2 were head/neck shaking with the head extended high in the air. The last one was different and I noticed his/her eyes closing and opening in an odd pattern and that is when I grabbed my phone and took this video. I then took the duck and inspected all over and noticed what looks like an infection of some nature on the wing and under it. This sore/infection is new and I have posted all the photos and video that I have. I am unsure if these two issues are related or not but your help is appreciated. They always have clean water and have been eating Purina chicken grower non medicated crumbles. Upon your feedback I will seek professional avian advice. Thanks so much.

 

[zooweemama]

Chick starter doesn't have enough niacin in it for ducks. This article helps explain.
http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html

I am not sure about the wing- I hope someone can help with that. Can you trim the feathers around the area to see it better?

 

[Amiga]

The duck may be suffering from niacin deficiency and an infection, so I would immediately begin adding 150 mg of niacin (not the no flush, just regular niacin) per gallon of water. In the meantime I would also begin smearing triple antibiotic without pain relief (which is toxic to ducks) on the side and wing, and seriously consider some oral antibiotics in case the infection has spread.

Niacin deficiency can show up in just one member of a small flock. It seems to me some ducks are just more prone to it than others. Chick starter has about a third of the recommended level of niacin for ducklings, but rarely do clerks know or mention that, from what I have seen.

 

[xdriver]

Are duck feathers like flight feathers in chickens? Do they carry blood in them or can I just clip them close to the wounds? Thank you for the help so far!

 

[bexnd]

they do carry blood

 

[bexnd]

does she normally have these episodes when something happens. only reason i ask is i noticed on the video she only had the seizure after the fence moved and her head flicked in particular way. does she normaly start after a sudden head movement ???

 

[xdriver]

No, it does not appear to be induced by fear or getting scared by something. I have moved the two ducks away from the chickens and they are in a nice relaxed setting in the middle of my lawn. She could be drinking some water and then all of a sudden go into the seizure. I as of a few hours ago I have begun adding niacin to their water at the 150mg per gallon and also administered 250mg of amoxicillin which probably turned out to be 150mg after all the extra loss. I plan on administering another 250mg tomorrow morning and then about 12 hours later. I have a feeling that the wing injury is due to the seizures and smashing wings on the coop or fence etc, But I also suppose the wing could be an injury that got infected and is causing the seizure as well. I really wanted to isolate the two pekin ducks but they both just keep quacking and quacking if separated. The healthy one provides a lot of comfort and companionship and I would hate to take that away from the sick one.

Is there any way I can cut the feathers back to the actual wing so I can really clean it out and cover it?

Any other ideas or insight are much appreciated.

 

[Amiga]

See if Captain Cluck can shed some light on the feather trimming. I have not yet had to do any of that.

Meanwhile, it seems that keeping the two ducks together is much better for the little patient. I use a buddy system most of the time with ducks that need extra care.

 

[zooweemama]

Are duck feathers like flight feathers in chickens? Do they carry blood in them or can I just clip them close to the wounds? Thank you for the help so far!

Oh yes they do. I overlooked the age and where the feathers were. I hope someone can help! I wouldn't want you to trim them and cause more pain to your poor duckie. I REALLY hope the added niacin and antibiotics help!