[greengumbo]

Hi all,

We purchased three Indian Runner ducks at the weekend and upon getting home noticed one was having trouble standing and would flop about. We isolated it in a quiet area of the pen and gave it access to water and feed.

It seemed to get a bit better but then today has taken a turn for the worse and is arching its neck and twisting its head around. I dont think it will see through the night.

I have antibiotics (sulobenol) I will give it and have brought it indoors in a cardboard box.

Anythingelse I should try ?  The other two ducks are doing very well.

[HomefieldHens]

I would worm them all with flubenvet. We use the layers pellets with flubenvet already added for our runners & chooks - Marriages I think is the company. Its available online with next day delivery.

[greengumbo]

Update:

Duck survived the night and I've been syringing water to her every so often. I noticed some food pellets in her mouth so she may be eating as well. Have dosed with metronidazole and sulobenol.

The most worrying thing is the very twisted neck and the way she holds it down to the side.

Fingers crossed she starts to improve.

[greengumbo]

I would worm them all with flubenvet. We use the layers pellets with flubenvet already added for our runners & chooks - Marriages I think is the company. Its available online with next day delivery.

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully the solubenol (active ingredient is Flubendazole same as flubenvet) will have an effect. Would you dose all new ducks and chooks as a matter of course ? We have always raised ours from egg so its new to us buying them in.

[HomefieldHens]

We raised ours from eggs too but I've read that it's good practice to worm all new stock. One of ours was v unwell a few weeks ago, we were convinced she wouldn't make it - she was head shaking & sleepy, off her food. We wormed all our birds & she gradually recovered- she is now running around bossing the others around & laying daily. Fingers crossed yours recovers ok.

[greengumbo]

Thats excellent news.

We did think it was just a strain caused by the cages at the auction but the progression seems to be into this twisted neck symptom. I will give her vitamin rich water and keep treating. I will also treat the others with sulobenol.

[Black Sheep]

Good to hear it seems to be on the mend, fingers crossed.

Could it be gapeworm?

[greengumbo]

Good to hear it seems to be on the mend, fingers crossed.

Could it be gapeworm?

She doesn't sound wheezy or coughing. Just holding neck at really awkward angle. Gave her a bath and she seemed to enjoy but had to support neck. Would a broken or fractured neck joint be obvious ?

[doganjo]

I had a duck with that - it was a stroke and she died a couple of days later. Not saying it's the same as yours but maybe you need your vet's advice?

[greengumbo]

I think I will bring her into the vet if she is still alive but poorly next few days. No need for her to suffer if its terminal.

Thanks for all your help.

[Marches Farmer]

Might be wry neck.

[greengumbo]

Well poorly duck seems to be improving. I had written her off but kept on the antibiotics and wormer course. Her neck is still twisted but not as bad and I put her in with the other runners yesterday and she went for a bath and was moving about (albeit in an awkward manner).

Fingers crossed.

[HomefieldHens]

Awh thats fab news! 

[greengumbo]

Well poorly ducks neck was totally back to normal and she seemed to be enjoying freedom again with her pals but the last few days it seems her eyes are very runny and she is looing a but worse again.

Someone recommended vetericyn spray for her eyes and cider vinegar ? Worth a go ? Anything else for eye infections or could it be respiratory ? She sounds fine.

Thanks for the help again !

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I had something very like this with a hen of mine and it turned out that she was having a stroke, luckily my brother knew what to do and bled her a little, it saved her life and because of that she recovered. I hope it was just worms and not a stroke. Tell me does she hold her head to the side at all after that?