Pekin Sick Again

[KaLo]

My 8 week old Pekin, Skeeter, is sick again. You all helped me with her about 4 weeks ago when she was having seizures, hoping someone can help me again. Here's what is going on:

She started seizures again 2 days ago. About 1 every few hours and then recovered. I gave her charcoal and Vitamin E. She seemed to stabilize after that but then at 6 pm, started stretching her neck out and wobbling. She has had no motor control since then and lies on her side. She is totally "with it" mentally, calls back to the other duck and will eat small peas and squished grapes. Will drink water out of a tall glass.

I took her to a bird vet yesterday and here are test results and what we are currently doing:

CBC showed liver and kidney function is normal. X-ray showed nothing in gizzard or crop. Vet gave her a charcoal flush in case it was botulism. Has me giving her shots every 8 hours to treat for lead even though she can't see anything obvious on the x-ray. She's had 3 doses and not really any improvement. I am tube feeding and watering plus anything she will take by mouth.

I am trying to keep her comfortable and hoping she will snap out of it but I am losing hope. Both the vet and I are mystified as she was normal for the first 4 weeks of her life, had seizures for 3 days, recovered for 3 weeks and now this.

If it was neurological, I would have thought she would be "quirky" from the start. My other Pekin, Pippa, is perfectly normal.

Anyone have anything I could possibly try? I am heart broken for both of them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My 8 week old Pekin, Skeeter, is sick again. You all helped me with her about 4 weeks ago when she was having seizures, hoping someone can help me again. Here's what is going on:

She started seizures again 2 days ago. About 1 every few hours and then recovered. I gave her charcoal and Vitamin E. She seemed to stabilize after that but then at 6 pm, started stretching her neck out and wobbling. She has had no motor control since then and lies on her side. She is totally "with it" mentally, calls back to the other duck and will eat small peas and squished grapes. Will drink water out of a tall glass.

I took her to a bird vet yesterday and here are test results and what we are currently doing:

CBC showed liver and kidney function is normal. X-ray showed nothing in gizzard or crop. Vet gave her a charcoal flush in case it was botulism. Has me giving her shots every 8 hours to treat for lead even though she can't see anything obvious on the x-ray. She's had 3 doses and not really any improvement. I am tube feeding and watering plus anything she will take by mouth.

I am trying to keep her comfortable and hoping she will snap out of it but I am losing hope. Both the vet and I are mystified as she was normal for the first 4 weeks of her life, had seizures for 3 days, recovered for 3 weeks and now this.

If it was neurological, I would have thought she would be "quirky" from the start. My other Pekin, Pippa, is perfectly normal.

Anyone have anything I could possibly try? I am heart broken for both of them.

I'm so sorry to hear this, looks like you have a good vet who seems to be trying to get on top of this, how about frogs? have you seen those poisonous around that are in Fl. the ones if dogs eat them it will kill them? Other than that can't think of anything else since it looks like ya'll have covered everything else, Have you been giving her niacin all along also? it can help with neurological problems. I hope she recovers, your doing a great job taking care of her.

 

[KaLo]

ok- I have been diligently nursing her all weekend and not improvement but also no decline. I found the following on the web. Is anyone Familiar with New Duck Disease? Could this be what is wrong with her?? Can I get sulfa drugs any where on a Sunday or do they have to come from the vet?


"INFECTIOUS SEROSITIS anatipestifer infection or "new duck disease" is so widespread as to be the most important disease problem of the duck industry. It is a bacterial disease caused by Moraxella anatipestifer.
The symptoms are coughing, staggering, and loss of equilibrium. Frequently the ducks lie on their sides or backs and paddle their feet. Death often is due to water starvation, rather than to the primary infection. Loose green and white droppings are common in a pen of affected ducks. Losses up to 75 percent have been recorded.
The characteristic lesion consists of a cream-colored, gelatinous membrane, one-sixteenth inch or more thick, over the heart and liver. The air sacs may contain a yellow, cheesy exudate. The liver and spleen are enlarged. Hemorrhages may be present beneath the capsule of the liver.
Terramycin suspension in oil gives good control for about 5 days. The treatment consists of injecting the drug under the skin of the neck at the rate of 12.5 milligrams per pound of body weight. Treatment may have to be repeated.
Sulfa drugs have been widely used, with varying results. One and one-half pounds of sulfaquinoxaline per ton of feed is the recommended level. The ducks should be starved for 4 to 6 hours and the medicated feed given for the remainder of a 24-hour period. This treatment may be repeated if necessary."

 

[Miss Lydia]

ok- I have been diligently nursing her all weekend and not improvement but also no decline. I found the following on the web. Is anyone Familiar with New Duck Disease? Could this be what is wrong with her?? Can I get sulfa drugs any where on a Sunday or do they have to come from the vet?


"INFECTIOUS SEROSITIS anatipestifer infection or "new duck disease" is so widespread as to be the most important disease problem of the duck industry. It is a bacterial disease caused by Moraxella anatipestifer.
The symptoms are coughing, staggering, and loss of equilibrium. Frequently the ducks lie on their sides or backs and paddle their feet. Death often is due to water starvation, rather than to the primary infection. Loose green and white droppings are common in a pen of affected ducks. Losses up to 75 percent have been recorded.
The characteristic lesion consists of a cream-colored, gelatinous membrane, one-sixteenth inch or more thick, over the heart and liver. The air sacs may contain a yellow, cheesy exudate. The liver and spleen are enlarged. Hemorrhages may be present beneath the capsule of the liver.
Terramycin suspension in oil gives good control for about 5 days. The treatment consists of injecting the drug under the skin of the neck at the rate of 12.5 milligrams per pound of body weight. Treatment may have to be repeated.
Sulfa drugs have been widely used, with varying results. One and one-half pounds of sulfaquinoxaline per ton of feed is the recommended level. The ducks should be starved for 4 to 6 hours and the medicated feed given for the remainder of a 24-hour period. This treatment may be repeated if necessary."

Sounds like this is a disease in large commercial flocks. As far a sulfur you might try TSC and see if they carry it.

 

[KaLo]

So here is some really encouraging news, Miss Lydia!

We started Skeeter on Baytril 2 weeks ago and as of yesterday, she is back on her feet and hopefully on her way to a full recovery! She is still wobbly and pulls to the left. Neck is still slightly crooked but she is eating, drinking and bathing herself and starting to look like a real duck again! I am so grateful to have her on the mend. She is not completely recovered but I am cautiously optimistic at this point and just praying she does not have a relapse of whatever it was.

The vet seems to think it was some kind of neuro toxin. Still not sure if she came with it as a duckling or picked it up in our yard. Just hoping it is behind her now!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So here is some really encouraging news, Miss Lydia!

We started Skeeter on Baytril 2 weeks ago and as of yesterday, she is back on her feet and hopefully on her way to a full recovery! She is still wobbly and pulls to the left. Neck is still slightly crooked but she is eating, drinking and bathing herself and starting to look like a real duck again! I am so grateful to have her on the mend. She is not completely recovered but I am cautiously optimistic at this point and just praying she does not have a relapse of whatever it was.

The vet seems to think it was some kind of neuro toxin. Still not sure if she came with it as a duckling or picked it up in our yard. Just hoping it is behind her now!

Thank you so much for posting back with this great news!! so happy for you and that Skeeter is on the mend and doing so much better. Hoping she keeps going till completely well.

 

[Amiga]

 

[KaLo]

Ok, Miss Lydia & Amiga.....I need more advice regarding Skeeter, please !

She is back on her feet, fairly solid and returning to normal duck behavior, however, now her eyes look like they may becoming irritated and/or infected. She baths in fresh water daily but still struggles with grooming, though she can reach more or herself every day. The water is deep enough for her to submerge her head. I wonder if it is because she can't quite get a good wipe of her eyes during her preening?

The area around both eyes (one worse than the other) is wet. Nothing pussy or discolored, just wet. Is there any thing I can put on it or do for her?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok, Miss Lydia & Amiga.....I need more advice regarding Skeeter, please !

She is back on her feet, fairly solid and returning to normal duck behavior, however, now her eyes look like they may becoming irritated and/or infected. She baths in fresh water daily but still struggles with grooming, though she can reach more or herself every day. The water is deep enough for her to submerge her head. I wonder if it is because she can't quite get a good wipe of her eyes during her preening?

The area around both eyes (one worse than the other) is wet. Nothing pussy or discolored, just wet. Is there any thing I can put on it or do for her?

Thanks for any help!

Do you have any Terramycin eye ointment or any saline eye wash? you could try the eye ointment because it has antibiotic effects and if this is an infection it should clear it up, you can get it at most feed stores. of bath her eyes in a saline wash you can make your own using salt and warm water then use a soft wash cloth and wet the solution run over her eyes. Also add some ACV to her bucket that she uses to wash her face. ACV has the ability to help with healing too. Then if you want to spend a little money get Veterycin spray it's about the best stuff out there but it is expensive. I know I've given you different remedies you might want to try one of the first 2 and add the ACV to her water and if you don't notice improvement in a couple of days then maybe consider the Veterycin.

 

[KaLo]

Miss Lydia:

Thanks for the quick response! Right after I posted, I went out with a warm wash cloth and wiped the area around her eyes. There were a lot of tiny feathers that came loose. I am worried about scratching her eye when I do it since she isn't closing her lid while I do it - she is a little freaked out and probably afraid I'm going to stick that tube down her throat again haha!

I don't have the ointment and it doesn't look like my TSC carries it. I can order online or do you think I should just get the Veterycin since they have it at my Petco? Is it safe to use on/around the eye? I read about it and it seems like it works for all kinds of stuff so will probably get a bottle to have on hand for the ducks/cat/dog.

How much ACV should I put in the water? I will do the saline wash tomorrow as I put her to bed after I wiped her eyes.

Thank you as always......you are truly WONDERFUL!!