Wobbly duck... Help!

[3crazyboys]

Hi all,

Boy am I glad that we're able to post to BYC again! I have been having an issue for about a week with one of my Pekins. He is about 2 months old, and out of nowhere has been having issues standing and walking. He can walk but a few steps and looks almost drunk. He has been eating well and drinking ok. At first, I was told via the BYC FB group that it may be a niacin deficiency, but that doesn't make sense, as the other members of his flock are fine, and no one is exhibiting the same symptoms. I have attached a couple videos for reference.

Please help!!

 

[ak2787]

@ak2787 nothing has worked yet

I just took my duck that has the same symptoms as yours to the vet. He believes it's botulism. I started it on niacin for a couple of days then switched to brewers yeast, he said it would be dead if I didn't do that and to continue brewers yeast until it's recovered. He said it probably would have improved on its own if I didn't bring it in as long as I kept up the brewers yeast but he also put the duck on antibiotics to help clear it up faster and make sure there's no complications. I was worried about the cost but my visit plus the meds was only $19 just in case you are worried about that. The vet specialized in poultry in school and has his own ducks so I trust him. Good luck!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you been using Niacin or Nutritional yeast all along since they were hatched or you first got them? Niacin works pretty fast but not over night and it has to be plain niacin also can't be flush free or time released. Keep adding it if you have the right kind and it needs to be 150mgs to 1 gal of water. Pekins especially grow fast and their legs have a hard time keeping it up with it.It's very important all ducklings get B3 in their diets if fed chick starter.

 

[3crazyboys]

I just took my duck that has the same symptoms as yours to the vet. He believes it's botulism. I started it on niacin for a couple of days then switched to brewers yeast, he said it would be dead if I didn't do that and to continue brewers yeast until it's recovered. He said it probably would have improved on its own if I didn't bring it in as long as I kept up the brewers yeast but he also put the duck on antibiotics to help clear it up faster and make sure there's no complications. I was worried about the cost but my visit plus the meds was only $19 just in case you are worried about that. The vet specialized in poultry in school and has his own ducks so I trust him. Good luck!

I just saw this! That is great news! I think this will be my next move as well. I've had them on brewers yeast since got them. What kind of antibiotics did the vet give you?

 

[3crazyboys]

Just got home from the vet. He isn't sure, but he feels confident that it's not botulism. We took an x-ray; no metal in his belly. He said that there are many things that it could be; including hepatic encephalitis...
So, for the time being, we're treating with an abx, anti-inflammatory and tube dress.

@ak2787 I wish that my bill was only $19 bucks. Mine was $295. Ouch.

I hope my little guy pills through.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's the other way around Nutritional yeast has more B3 than Brewers yeast does.
They need Niacin in what ever way you can get it into them. Buy Plain Niacin crush it up and put into the water or mix Nutritional yeast in their feed but you need to do this.

 

[mustangrooster]

Ohh.......no that doesn't sound good. Poor duck.

Hmm, it actually could be a vitamin deficiency, some birds just get it. What diet are they on? I read that if you can find Poly-Vi-Sol (Perhaps at your feed store) put a few drops in his water, it could help. How often is he pooping? What does his poop look like? Is he breathing normally?

Have you checked his legs? Any signs of bumble foot? It can cause trouble walking, however i doubt it can cause it to that extent. Do his legs feel hot? Has he got swollen hocks?

I suggest you isolate him in his own cage, so you can get him better and hopefully you can find out whats going on........

Good luck

-Mustang

 

[3crazyboys]

He seems drunk. When you pick him up his neck is swirling around, and he tips over when he tries to prune under his wings.

Could this be botulism? Heavy metal poisoning?

I can't be the only duck owner to experience this...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Info on flushes for botulism

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-treat-botulism.582306/

 

[mustangrooster]

He seems drunk. When you pick him up his neck is swirling around, and he tips over when he tries to prune under his wings.

Could this be botulism? Heavy metal poisoning?

I can't be the only duck owner to experience this...

No, your not. Search up "Duck acting drunk" or "Duck cant walk" or something similar on BYC and you will get a ton of threads.

Copy and pasted from Wiki: Botulism poisons the duck, causing what's sometimes known as "Limberneck Disease." It causes paralysis, starting with the duck having trouble taking off or going under the water. The duck's legs will be paralyzed, and you may see the duck trying to move only with its wings. The duck's eyelids and neck will droop. The paralysis may also be accompanied by diarrhea.[1]

Does he have any of those symptoms? What does his poop look like?