Hello. I had a friend bring me a duckling last Friday. He was from Tractor Supply but wasn't able to walk properly and she thought I might be able to help him. He is crested and is now 9-10 days old. His balance is almost non-existent. He can't go more than a step or two without falling onto his back and he just flails like crazy trying to get up (which he hasn't succeeded at doing on his own). He can only right himself if he has the brooder wall or my hand to help him. He also trembles a lot and I think I've witnessed at least one seizure. I also think he has a fever but don't know how to be sure. I scanned him with my infrared thermometer and it reads 96.9 but his little bill and feet feel hot!
Initially thought I was dealing with a leg problem. He couldn't walk and his stance seemed a bit wide so I tried hobbles Friday night into Saturday but the poor thing kept managing to get his tail on the wrong side of the hobble and got stuck with his legs held straight back. I wrapped him like a burrito the next night and held him in a pouch, on my chest. He tolerated the wrap but it didn't seem to have any great results. He was noticeable lighter yesterday than the day before, and the same goes for today. And yesterday, when I suspected fever, I'm pretty sure he had a seizure. I continue to pick him up often and hold him, which he seems to like. He eats and drinks in my arms then he takes a nap. He goes back in the brooder for an hour and then we start over again. Oh, and oddly enough, he doesn't seem to flip over nearly as much when he scoots or "walks" backwards.
By Saturday I knew it wasn't his legs and felt like whatever it is, it's neuro in nature. I began reading everything I could find about what could cause it. I've read things that lead me to believe it could be from a niacin deficiency or genetics in crested ducks. I contacted the TSC he came from to get info on his diet. I asked because I read that they usually have enough niacin in the yolk to sustain for 1-2 days and don't exhibit symptoms of deficiency before day 3 or 4. I was told he had arrived that way, unable to balance. I thought that would all but rule out the niacin theory but it was further clouded by their telling me that he was not given any niacin supplement and was fed chick starter. That makes me think he could be niacin deficient. I wonder if he arrived maybe wobbly and then got worse?? I started giving him a B-complex capsule containing 20 mg of niacin dissolved in his water yesterday morning (before that I was using a poultry multi-vitamin). He does eat and drink every few hours and seems to have a really impressive fighting spirit about him. He is just the sweetest duck!
Here's are my questions - How long would it take to show improvement if it is niacin deficient? So far, I don't see any improvement whatsoever since beginning the niacin. He continues to get lighter each day.
If not from a lack of niacin, are these kinds of issues seen at this age with crested ducklings? Does anyone know of a case like this that ended well?? I've never owned a crested duck and don't have any experience or knowledge except what I could find here and on the web. I just want to know if him has a chance to improve. His quality of life is non-existent right now and if he can't improve, I hate to see him continue to suffer. It's heartbreaking to watch him kick and flail.
Thanks for reading my novel. I hope someone can shed a little bit of light on the crested thing. I'm running out of ideas. :-( Any insight would be most appreciated!
Initially thought I was dealing with a leg problem. He couldn't walk and his stance seemed a bit wide so I tried hobbles Friday night into Saturday but the poor thing kept managing to get his tail on the wrong side of the hobble and got stuck with his legs held straight back. I wrapped him like a burrito the next night and held him in a pouch, on my chest. He tolerated the wrap but it didn't seem to have any great results. He was noticeable lighter yesterday than the day before, and the same goes for today. And yesterday, when I suspected fever, I'm pretty sure he had a seizure. I continue to pick him up often and hold him, which he seems to like. He eats and drinks in my arms then he takes a nap. He goes back in the brooder for an hour and then we start over again. Oh, and oddly enough, he doesn't seem to flip over nearly as much when he scoots or "walks" backwards.
By Saturday I knew it wasn't his legs and felt like whatever it is, it's neuro in nature. I began reading everything I could find about what could cause it. I've read things that lead me to believe it could be from a niacin deficiency or genetics in crested ducks. I contacted the TSC he came from to get info on his diet. I asked because I read that they usually have enough niacin in the yolk to sustain for 1-2 days and don't exhibit symptoms of deficiency before day 3 or 4. I was told he had arrived that way, unable to balance. I thought that would all but rule out the niacin theory but it was further clouded by their telling me that he was not given any niacin supplement and was fed chick starter. That makes me think he could be niacin deficient. I wonder if he arrived maybe wobbly and then got worse?? I started giving him a B-complex capsule containing 20 mg of niacin dissolved in his water yesterday morning (before that I was using a poultry multi-vitamin). He does eat and drink every few hours and seems to have a really impressive fighting spirit about him. He is just the sweetest duck!
Here's are my questions - How long would it take to show improvement if it is niacin deficient? So far, I don't see any improvement whatsoever since beginning the niacin. He continues to get lighter each day.
If not from a lack of niacin, are these kinds of issues seen at this age with crested ducklings? Does anyone know of a case like this that ended well?? I've never owned a crested duck and don't have any experience or knowledge except what I could find here and on the web. I just want to know if him has a chance to improve. His quality of life is non-existent right now and if he can't improve, I hate to see him continue to suffer. It's heartbreaking to watch him kick and flail.
Thanks for reading my novel. I hope someone can shed a little bit of light on the crested thing. I'm running out of ideas. :-( Any insight would be most appreciated!
