Duck spinning in circles and can't straighten neck

[Snipes]

Here is a link to what my duck has been doing.

Please let me know if that link does not work.
He is a 7 year old mallard.
I had noticed over the weekend he was not eating as much as usual, was not quacking so much, and just seemed a bit off. He was also starting to lose feathers. I made an appointment to check him out at the nearest appointment, later this week. This morning when I let the two ducks out, he had trouble coming out of thr cage, he just kept cocking his head right and spun I'm circles if he got up. He can stumble around and so far is not super weak but he has trouble eating and drinking, and isn't able to do much more than go in circles. His bill is chattering nonstop. In only 24 hours he has lost a good deal of weight. I took him to the vet as an emergency and the are an exotic avian vet but they were not too sure about what was going on. They guessed a neurological condition or a poisoning, and he is being tested for bacteria as well and have sent him home with antibiotics and some pain meds (Metacam and Clavamox) while we wait for results. In the meantime I am also giving him Vitamin E, Selenium, and B Vitamin Complex for a similar looking wry neck syndrome.
He still has a lot of strength, fighting me giving him his oral meds, but I will have to force him to eat so that may not last long. It also seems to be blind in his left eye, or just not respond to water or peas on that side.
At the vet I opted out of a scan for metal bits but was misunderstood in that I wanted blood testing for zinc/lead poisoning and did not notice til I got home that they did not do that. I am wondering about going back to get that done?
Can I ask for any other pieces of wisdom, experience, or advice?

 

[Hybridchucks]

Wry neck?

 

[Hybridchucks]

poor thing!!!

 

[Snipes]

I sure hope it is wry neck because it seems the cure is clearer.
I have been putting feed in water as he is eager to dabble his bill in the water, but I have no idea if he is actually consuming it. Any suggestions on what to force feed him should it come to it? His mouth is so small and he hates being given anything by force so I am looking for bang-for-the-buck as far as balance of sustainable and quantity.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Snipes Awwww....poor sweet thing.

Hopefully the duck experts will be along soon - @WVduckchick @Amiga @Miss Lydia

I don't know much about ducks (I'm trying to learn a bit), but if it were a chicken - my first thought is Wry Neck from looking at your video. His age is concerning, since usually it's seen in younger birds if it's due to vitamin deficiency. That said, it sounds like the vitamin therapy (Vitamin E, Selenium, and B Vitamin Complex) you are administering is correct, unless the others suggest something different.

You are doing the best you can right now, I hope he recovers soon.

 

[WVduckchick]

Wow, so sorry he is having trouble. I've not seen such a thing in an older duck. his age concerns me. Awesome that you took him to an avian vet!

we need @casportpony. Tube feeding may be necessary (and the quickest/easiest) to administer whatever meds the vet comes up with.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I agree with getting @casportpony here for the tube feeding suggestions.

Seems a strange time for wry neck but maybe if nutrient def some how that could bring it on. Till you get test results though I'd def tube feed and keep doing what your doing other wise. How is his neck? usually with botulism they get where they can't hold their head up.

 

[Snipes]

Yeah I keep seeing wry neck for silkies, cresteds, and babies, but not so much well established ducks, so I figure a but of extra E won't hurt too much, but I am thinking it is something else. For now at least he has a lot of strength and can't seem to get normal feed down so well but he is eating peas and crickets. If I hold it so he can see them and if he can manage to fund them with his bill.
Today he is doing about the same, still spinning, chaking, and chattering constantly, bit he has a lot of strength still so I am hoping for the best. If it was a stroke, a hit to the head, or something I can't fix, I will have him euthanized, bit I have put away money every month for a nest eggs for something like this, so I am hoping that will suffice, though I am hoping my emotions stay high so it overrides my inclination to penny pinch- these guys are like dogs to me. Keepin my fingers crossed!
He is back at the vet having a bit of a stay for metal testing, observation and radiology today. I will let you all know any updates.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We're pulling for him. Appreciate the updates.

 

[Snipes]

Time for an update, and it's good news! On the outside he seems to be 100% aside from the fact that he has lost so many feathers that he has penguin wings, those little things look like I could have them with some buffalo sauce. They are starting to grow back, thankfully.
I still do not have any real hard evidence what worked, but we have an appointment Tuesday and I should learn more then and possibly may get a few tests done to help narrow it down if it is not clear.
His x rays showed no metal bits in his stomach, though it showed a strange thing near his vent that looked like a necklace from above and a balloon from the side. They will get a second opinion because the are not sure why they are looking at, but fingers crossed it isn't something major.
We are waiting on a lead and zinc test, CBC complete blood count, and a complete chemical panel.

Since my first post (he had been to the vet) he was on the following meds, dosages given for his weight-1.1 kg
Clavamox 1.6mL 2x a day for 20 days, it is an antibiotic/antifungal, broad spectrum
Metacam .8mL 1x a day for 10 days, it is an anti inflammatory/steroid.
Also, upon consulting with the wry neck solution suggested by the boards she gave him a B complex Vitamin injection. He pooped radical yellow for several days.
I had given him Vitamin E and Selenium the first night but did not continue, worrying about mega dosing him unnecessarily.
That is all the info so far, will update with the results of the test! I feel so fortunate to be able to have the $ to get these tests done, hopefully the results will be helpful to others in the future.