Treating Wry Neck In Crested Duckling *EDITED TITLE*

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not sure how much selenium she should have either but I know it is used to treat wry neck. I wonder if you posted in the emergency disease section if someone might be able to give you a dosing for chicks?

I have PMed Kathy who is very knowledgeable maybe she will know.
that's castportpony by the way.

 

[jenniemig]

I have PMed Kathy who is very knowledgeable  maybe she will know. 
that's castportpony by the way. 

thanks, I'm eager to hear.
I just gave Qwackers her pm meds. She actually opened up for me and drank it down The polyvisol smells pretty gross, but I guess she likes it. She got about a 10 minute neck rub:-D

 

[Miss Lydia]

thanks, I'm eager to hear.
I just gave Qwackers her pm meds. She actually opened up for me and drank it down The polyvisol smells pretty gross, but I guess she likes it. She got about a 10 minute neck rub:-D

Good for Qwackers taking her meds like a big girl/boy. do you know which? and neck rub too awesome.

Kathy was on here earlier but I know she'll answer when she sees my PM and I also gave her the link to this thread.

 

[jenniemig]

I'm not sure, sometimes I say him sometimes her. I'm waiting for the first quack <3

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not sure, sometimes I say him sometimes her. I'm waiting for the first quack <3

I couldn't remember if you said you ordered sexed or not.

 

[jenniemig]

I couldn't remember if you said you ordered sexed or not. 

My sister ordered them, they were a surprise. I don't think the we're sexed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My sister ordered them, they were a surprise. I don't think the we're sexed.

So you'll love it either sex. I have a drake who thinks he's our child, we had to bring him in right after hatch because his mama didn't want him. What an experience for my dh and I.

 

[jenniemig]

So you'll love it either sex. I have a drake who thinks he's our child, we had to bring him in right after hatch because his mama didn't want him. What an experience for my dh and I. 

Yes, boy or girl, doesn't matter. I just want him/her healthy. My husband has gotten pretty attached as well. He holds Qwackers when it's medicine time, he gives some neck rubs too I was surprised because he wasn't thrilled that I got the chicks and ducklings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, boy or girl, doesn't matter. I just want him/her healthy. My husband has gotten pretty attached as well. He holds Qwackers when it's medicine time, he gives some neck rubs too I was surprised because he wasn't thrilled that I got the chicks and ducklings.

I think they have to waddle their way into some dh's hearts. But they do and that's what matters. I heard from Kathy hopefully we'll get some dosages soon.

New update this morning? this is from BrowneggBlueegg.com

Here is my theory and therapy for what some call "limber neck" and I call crookneck. The symptoms first show as a crook in the neck. It usually rapidly progresses to your bird tucking her head, then tucking her head between her legs, then backing up, and tumbling over. It usually hits young birds but can happen at any age. It often happens when Silkie chicks are crowded, especially with more aggressive breeds (like Araucanas) in the mix.

Crookneck's Cause
There are other problems with similar symptoms; botulism is one.

It is unclear what causes crookneck but I have a fairly sound hypothesis. Silkie club members suggest water on the brain, vitamin E deficiency, and injury to the brain. A Silkies' brain is often outside the skull and forms the "knob" on the top of Silkie's heads. See Silkies Have a Hole in Their Head. Brain injury is the cause I feel fairly certain about.

Water on the brain was seen in a necropsy of an affected bird in Florida. Prednisone (read on about different opinions on prednisone) was suggested as symptomatic relief and vitamin E and vitamins B complex are both good for neurological disorders. Selenium helps animals absorb vitamin E.

Here's what I do for affected birds. If started before symptoms get severe, the bird will usually totally recover.

The Most Important Treatment

It is important to be sure your bird gets enough to eat and drink while she has this problem. Birds with severe cases of crookneck can't eat and drink enough to survive. You will need to gently place their head in the feed dish and carefully dip just the tip of the beak in water. Be careful not to dip too far into the water and to not stress the bird while trying to help.

In severe cases, you will need to use a hand feeding syringe and hand rearing formula for cage birds. My boy Spot had to be hand fed for 2 months but he survived to father lots of healthy chicks.

If you and your bird are lucky, hand feeding and the vitamins will be all that is needed.

Giving Prednisone Must Not Be Abruptly Stopped

Before I present my treatment I need to mention that a couple vets have expressed concern about using prednisone. They suggested instead giving Celebrex or Metacam. They are also anti-inflammatory. I can understand their concern but I gradually reduce the dose and do not just one day stop giving prednisone. I have seen no adverse effects and prednisone is inexpensive while Celebrex and Metacam are expensive.

Many vets think prednisone OK and in fact is was prescribed for a bird of mine.

Veterinary Information on Prednisone

My Treatment for Crookneck

If started before symptoms get severe, the bird will totally recover. The following is for an adult about 2 pound bird. Scale back for smaller birds. Do not over do the selenium; it is toxic in large amounts. Animals are more tolerant of vitamin E especially and of vitamin B.

• For the first week I give
  • Once a day
    • About 1/4 piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human B liquid vitamins
    • :25 micrograms selenium
  • Twice a day
    • 2.5 mg of prednisone
    • 400 IU of vitamin E
• For the second week I give
  • Once a day
    • 2.5 mg of prednisone
    • 400 IU of vitamin E
    • About 1/4 piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human B liquid vitamins
  • Every other day
    • :25 micrograms selenium
• For the third and following weeks I give
  • Once a day
    • 2.5 mg of prednisone - less and less each day - none after third week
    • 400 IU of vitamin E
    • A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins
  • Once a week
    • :25 micrograms selenium

Do not abruptly stop prednisone, the swelling rebounds. Decrease the dose gradually. Recovery can be slow; continue the vitamin E for several weeks at least.

 

[subhanalah]

New update this morning? 

Inquiring minds want to know!