Unknown disease in waterfowl, two dead, another one sick

[FluffHoarder]

Recently my partner's and I's flock has taken a hit from a mysterious disease and we're getting desperate to know what's up so we can treat it effectively. In less than a month we've had a goose and a duck die and now we have another duck down with the same thing. So far the symptoms list for the ducks are: lack of appetite even for treats, goopy/cloudy eyes, doesn't seem able to see well actually, runny nose, won't preen themselves, can't balance or walk well, they end up with their legs splayed out behind them once they get worse, losing weight rapidly, seems to be excessive thirst? And low energy. Lungs sound pretty decent, heart sounds pretty decent too, poop is kinda runnier than normal but not weird colored. No abnormal coloring in mouth or throat, nor lesions on their bodies. The goose just straight up died without showing a single sign of anything being wrong. All of these birds are under 5 and healthy, well taken care of animals. They got clean coops, clean environments, access to everything they need, specialty food just for them, and access to clean fresh water daily. Does anyone know what might be up?

 

[MysteryChicken]

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-health-diagnostic-center/programs/duck-research-lab/health-care

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The bird flu comes to mind. You may want to contact someone locally about it.

https://www.avma.org/resources-tool...n-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals

 

[FrostRanger]

Bird flu does come to mind but regardless I'd send a bird in for a necropsy so you can get to the bottom of what's going on. If it's indeed bird flu, culling the whole flock is unfortunately the only option but until you get testing we won't know for sure what it is

 

[FluffHoarder]

I really hope it's not bird flu, I know Washington has been having some decent outbreaks of it but I thought we've been quarantining good enough to avoid it. Alas I shall do as y'all suggest and see if I can get ahold of a vet and ask them about it

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I really hope it's not bird flu, I know Washington has been having some decent outbreaks of it but I thought we've been quarantining good enough to avoid it. Alas I shall do as y'all suggest and see if I can get ahold of a vet and ask them about it

I hope it isn't it as well. Here I'm always afraid the wild birds will bring it in.

 

[My15Ducks]

If it is bird flu, reporting it will likely mean they will kill all your birds. But ducks and geese actually can survive bird flu. A sanctuary in California was allowed to quarantine their flock and only around 17% of their birds died. So bird flu is not necessarily a death sentence. A sanctuary in the UK has had success treating bird flu. I’ll try to find the article.

Personally I wouldn’t report and would just quarantine so they have a chance of survival

 

[FrostRanger]

If it is bird flu, reporting it will likely mean they will kill all your birds. But ducks and geese actually can survive bird flu. A sanctuary in California was allowed to quarantine their flock and only around 17% of their birds died. So bird flu is not necessarily a death sentence. A sanctuary in the UK has had success treating bird flu. I’ll try to find the article.

Personally I wouldn’t report and would just quarantine so they have a chance of survival

But they could become carriers and spread it to other birds in the area. Not to mention it is a disease that can be passed onto humans, while not usually fatal in humans, it's still best avoided. Not to mention local officials need data about occurrences so they can have an idea about how bad the disease is and possibly get funding to help deal with it. I would 100% report it even though the whole situation stinks

 

[My15Ducks]

I would agree with you if bird flu wasn’t already widespread in the wild bird population. Culling one backyard flock will do little to stop the spread. Sadly bird flu is most likely here to stay. Mass culling is an ineffective method to control the disease.
Also, California has created a mass culling exemption which means they think quarantine can be safely and responsibly done. So what I’m proposing is not a crazy idea.
I’m only sharing my opinion because I believe everyone has the right to know that culling is the not only option.

 

[SmiYa0126]

If it was bird flu it would spread faster.

Have you changed anything in the last couple of months?