Duck has no balance and spins in circles

[crazyducklady23]

So my Rouen duck that is about 4 I am thinking has been having problems but got worse lastnight. She started with flapping her wings and just spinning in circles but tonight she seemed very dazed. She has hardly no balance and fell on her side and her neck started to contour in weird ways. Please help!!

 

[Amiga]

She could have botulism, or some other toxin, she could have ataxia, that can be caused by bacterial infection that reaches the brain.

A good duck vet is best. Right now I can only make guesses about the cause - if it's an infection, she needs an antibiotic that will reach the infection. If it's a toxin, then perhaps a flush (see the sticky on flushes) and definitely food grade activated charcoal slurry.

It could be something viral, as well - a waterfowl vet could help diagnose, if they are well trained.

 

[crazyducklady23]

Okay thank you! I checked on her this morning and she was back to herself? It is so weird and very scary when she has her episodes with this.

 

[crazyducklady23]

I was doing some research too and I can across a video of a duck showing the same signs that was tested positive with West Nile Virus. Have you ever heard or come across this?

 

[Amiga]

I have heard of West Nile. If she has recovered, it could be that something stressed her immune system and she has a latent nervous system issue . . . I would give B Vitamins for a week. I would probably get some B complex vitamins and use the B3(niacin) level as a guide, putting 150 mg B3(niacin) per gallon of drinking water.

 

[crazyducklady23]

Okay great thank you so much for your help I will try that!

 

[Amykins]

Oh dear...I'd still take her to the vet to run a culture, then they can prescribe the correct antibiotic to target the specific pathogen. Just because her behavior is improved does not been she's cured, the bacteria causing the toxin buildup will lie dormant. These issues are usually fatal if nothing is done.