[melholly]

....well, results of the post mortem on one of my Indian Runners confirmed DVE Duck Viral Enterites :-( I can't tell you how sad I feel. All my Indian Runners gone and out of my 2 remaining Khaki Campbells one is ill this morning and the vet advises culling the younger one, presently unaffected. I have read on
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/201000.htm that there is an injection but I've no idea if anyone has experience of this? Honestly, what would you do? Cull her or hope she survives. I know - I know what I have to do :-( just interested really if anyone else has had experience of this?

Mx
http://selfridgestoscats.blogspot.com

[Newfoundland]

So sorry to hear of your disaster. I am probably the last person to advise on whether to cull, I have a complete weakness for trying to save every last creature. How did your flock become infected?

[Dizzycow]

How awful. I have two IRs and two KCs and I adore them. I'd hate to lose mine the same way, so if you have any tips on avoiding this can you share them? I haven't heard of this injection either. Poor things, poor you.
On the upside I'm busily hatching IRs if you'd like to replace yours!
 

[jaykay]

I think the worry was, wasn't it, that she might infect any new ducks. Compared with the awfulness of losing a whole new batch, I suppose having to kill one...  What a horrid situation to be in 

[Dundonald hens]

So sad about your ducks  but i would say if the vet has advised you to do it you should sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind

[little blue]

another (grim!) consideration - if I understand correctly, you could be left with just one duck that you will treat?  Its stressfull enough doing this (trust me... and can be a very messy, muddy job!)  but that little duck will nobody to tell about it.
Amd if you then want ducks to replace the ones lost, that poor little duck will have the added trauma of adjusting to new "friends" in his/her house. 

so even if the duck is potentially healthy, thats alot for it to deal with...

never easy to decide, cruel to be kind is a good maxim, imho

best of luck, whatever you decide

[melholly]

Hi everyone,
No it's. Been pretty hard. After speaking to my vet on the Saturday I sort of knew what I needed to do. Betty my biggest KC was dead in her house Sunday morning from it. Belle was starting with symptoms... Thankfully my DH offered to do the deed. So we put her out of her misery.

Basically it causes huge haemorrhage and multiple organ failure over a few days. It's not pleasant or peaceful in fact it's awful. There is no vaccination other than if you have around 1000 birds u can try an untested one ordered in from Holland (I think) to try and damage limitation. But with DVE losses start at 65%...

I think mine got it from infected new stock - I should have quarantined for 4-6 weeks so huge lesson learned. But I'll never know for sure as it's also spread by carrion and wildfowl. So, crow taking a drink from ducks water bowl - infected if he's a carrier, just the same as if a wild duck flies over, poos in pond and ducks then wash/swim... But the disease isn't widespread, just causing huge destruction when it appears. Antibiotics do nothing. I also am planning to restock, just with IRs as I have grown to love them. I'm going to start hatching my own too to limit what my ducks get exposed to. However the vet recommends that apart from jeyes fluiding everything, leave the area duck free for 4-6 weeks as the virus lives on for a while. Also have to relocate the housing area, mow etc.

Mx
http://selfridgestoscats.blogspot.com

[jaykay]

What a horrible way to start 

Sounds like a good plan to clean up and let the sun help too. People will be selling youngsters in the autumn 

I love my IRs too 

[tazbabe]

what a shame! must have been horrid for you!!!

[Dizzycow]

My heart goes out to you. Good luck, chin up. x 

[Beewyched]

What a distressing experience for you.  I love our ducks (WC, KC, Cxs) & can't imagine how you must be feeling