Six week old muscovy duck suddenly cannot walk or stand. This happened 2 days ago. Now a second one has come down with the same ailment. Help!

[triphopchick]

Six week old muscovy duck suddenly cannot walk or stand. This happened 2 days ago. Now a second one has come down with the same ailment. Sudden onset of symptoms. They were fine and running around during the day and then all of a sudden, they lose the ability to walk.

The first baby was fine all day (on a Fri). All of a sudden when the mom was ready to go home, the 6 week old baby couldn't continue the walk home. So the mom continued to get the rest home safely. I picked her up. I noticed her tail was down compared to the rest of her siblings. She could move her head fine, it was just her lower body that were disabling her. The legs just couldn't get her up and move. I thought she was injured, as a raccoon had attacked one of her siblings the night before. But there are no injuries observed.

They definitely are not egg bound as they are too young. I read about niacin deficiency so I gave her niacin powder on Saturday via syringe and she vomited whatever I gave her via syringe. She refused food and water all day Saturday. On Sunday I was expecting her to have passed overnight, but to my surprise, she was awake and alert, but still immobile. I went to get her unflavored electrolytes (Pedialyte) and different food. To my surprise, I put the bowl of electrolytes, a little bit of food in it and niacin and she ate it up. So she has an appetite. But she still cannot walk. I put her outside to be with her mom and siblings and she put her head to the floor. I thought she was dying. But when I put her back inside the crate, she was upright, with her head upright and she seemed stable. I was contemplating bringing her to a wildlife rehab but they said they are required to euthanize any Muscovy that comes in because they are considered an invasive species. So I decided to give her a chance and just monitor her at my house since she didn't appear to be declining or suffering and I was just hoping she will walk again.

But then Sunday evening, her mom and siblings were ready to make their nightly trek home and I noticed another one could not move, just like the one on Fri night. So now there are 2 out of 13 that have come down with whatever this is.

I'm worried for the rest of them.

So is it a bacterial or viral thing? Is there something that I can get them? There are lots of raccoons around so I'm sure they are exposed to whatever the raccoons carry in their feces. I also noticed that the babies are constantly pooping and eating the flies that land on their poop...and there's a lot of poop as there are so many of them.

I hope no other babies come down with whatever ails them. Looking for advise. Any thoughts on treatment or should I bring them in to get euthanized?

 

[Yardmom]

Are they eating a duckling or all flock food? Keep giving extra niacin to all of them every day. It takes a while for recovery if the ducklings are deficient to the point of not being able to walk.

 

[triphopchick]

I was feeding the flock food that I feed my chicken as they weren't eating the duck pellets that I bought. I really don't think it's the niacin issue because it's not the symptoms that all report for that. But I will continue to give the niacin. I think it has to do with the raccoons. There's a lot around and the watering holes that I have are up could be infected. I'll bleach/disinfect everything today. Someone mentioned getting baytril. I'm going to try to get that today. Not sure where I can get it. Is it a prescription? I'll see how the other ducklings do today.

I'll try to find a vet that can see them. How long should I give the niacin to see marked improvement?

I would hate to do this because I've become attached to them but perhaps I should probably take them in to the wildlife rehab hospital to have them euthanized?

 

[triphopchick]

Just tried feeding them. Only 1 of 2 ate/drank. I noticed their webbed feet look like they're wasting away. Almost like shriveling up, but not quite. Maybe from no usage? The other 11 are outside running around and eating. I noticed one is a little slower but his tail is still sticking out/up... unlike these two where their tails were touching the ground once they were debilitated. I hope they all make it.