Sick or neurological?! Duckling in trouble [video]

[Pyxis]

With having them on an All Flock feed, having been given Nutri Drench, and having them also on Life-Lytes, I'm not sure if this would be a niacin issue. There are a couple diseases that can cause this too, like toxoplasmosis, which the birds can pick up from cats and also can be passed from a mother duck to the babies right through the egg, although rarely, and Riemerella anatipestifer, which is more likely. It's a disease that attacks the nervous system and causes shaking and loss of balance. A key symptom is ducklings falling over onto their backs and paddling their feet in the air. And it's also contagious, so it is possible that if it's one of these diseases, it could be passed to the other ducks. It wouldn't hurt to put this one in quarantine until we figure out what's causing the trouble.

 

[Amiga]

Looks to me like B vitamin defiency, perhaps. Some ducks just need more.

I would get B complex and use the B3=niacin level, adding 150 mg niacin per gallon of drinking water. I would consider making her a sling chair (with opening for poop in the back) for her to spend some time in daily as well as time in 75F degree water - under constant supervision - just deep enough for her to float in. She may have mild splay leg - hard to tell with the leg weakness. I would not give her antibiotics, I would give probiotics, electrolytes and multivitamins twice a week. Be sure her shelter is between 70 and 75 degrees. Some ducklings do not know to stay warm enough, given the choice.

A good duck vet is always best, not always possible.

 

[Ryinn]

Hmm, can you take a picture of the Life-Lytes ingredient label?

@casportpony

 

[Debs Flock]

Thanks! If it's Riemerella anatipestifer, how do you treat it?

 

[Ryinn]

With having them on an All Flock feed, having been given Nutri Drench, and having them also on Life-Lytes, I'm not sure if this would be a niacin issue. There are a couple diseases that can cause this too, like toxoplasmosis, which the birds can pick up from cats and also can be passed from a mother duck to the babies right through the egg, although rarely, and Riemerella anatipestifer, which is more likely. It's a disease that attacks the nervous system and causes shaking and loss of balance. A key symptom is ducklings falling over onto their backs and paddling their feet in the air. And it's also contagious, so it is possible that if it's one of these diseases, it could be passed to the other ducks. It wouldn't hurt to put this one in quarantine until we figure out what's causing the trouble.

Would her partner not have it as well if contagious, then? They've been together since birth. Or do some contagions take longer to jump/infect? He hasn't shown any signs of illness. Both are separate from the rest of the flock as the other 14 are grown, plus her condition, of course... I've kept her with her hatch mate as they go bonkers if I pull them apart. That distress is heartbreaking but if it's necessary to protect him I will.

 

[Ryinn]

Looks to me like B vitamin defiency, perhaps. Some ducks just need more.

I would get B complex and use the B3=niacin level, adding 150 mg niacin per gallon of drinking water. I would consider making her a sling chair (with opening for poop in the back) for her to spend some time in daily as well as time in 75F degree water - under constant supervision - just deep enough for her to float in. She may have mild splay leg - hard to tell with the leg weakness. I would not give her antibiotics, I would give probiotics, electrolytes and multivitamins twice a week. Be sure her shelter is between 70 and 75 degrees. Some ducklings do not know to stay warm enough, given the choice.

A good duck vet is always best, not always possible.

Hmm good point, there is some B12 in the Life-Lytes but only 3mg - nothing I see for the Nutri Drench

Anyone else have thoughts on that?

 

[Amiga]

I would think if he shows no signs, it may not be likely.

How long have you been giving the Life-Lytes?

Are there black flies in your area? They can carry a protozoan disease.

 

[Ryinn]

I would think if he shows no signs, it may not be likely.

How long have you been giving the Life-Lytes?

Are there black flies in your area? They can carry a protozoan disease.

Life lytes only 3 days now.
Yes! Horrible black flies... but this started before they were moved to their outdoor coop. They spent their first 2 weeks in the house, in a bedded bin secluded to the bathroom so no animals (cats/dogs) contacted

 

[Amiga]

Protect them from the flies till fully feathered. You might want to just use 1 tablespoon per gallon. If there are 32 tablespoons per pound of powder as some lists say, that's about 470 mg per tablespoon. Can you take a stool sample to a vet to check for parasites or high bacteria levels?

 

[casportpony]

Thanks! If it's Riemerella anatipestifer, how do you treat it?

https://en.wikivet.net/Riemerella_anatipestifer