Type C botulism is one of the main diseases affecting ducks, both wild and domesticated. Usually you have to wait for the disease to take its course, but be sure to move the sick duck out of the flock and isolate it; also, you can take some steps to prevent botulism.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treating Botulism in Ducks
Step 1. Check the symptoms
This disease poisons ducks, causing what is sometimes referred to as "Limberneck syndrome" (or flaccid neck disease); the disorder causes paralysis and the animal begins to have difficulty taking flight or going underwater. The legs become paralyzed and you can notice that the duck tries to move using only the wings; your eyelids and neck are drooping and you may also experience diarrhea.
Step 2. Move the duck
When you know she is sick, remove her from the area where she became infected. You should provide her with simple shelter; if you leave it where it is, it will continue to be exposed to the bacterium. You need to move her to a place away from the source of the infection if you want her to heal.
However, be aware that not all ducks recover; only a specimen that has not been contaminated with a lethal dose of bacteria can survive the disease
Step 3. Provide plenty of fresh water
As soon as you notice the first symptoms, it is important to ensure that you have plenty of water to drink, which helps to expel bacteria.
If the animal doesn't want to drink, use a syringe to give it water
Step 4. Administer an antitoxin
The two main ones are the trivalent botulinum antitoxin (A, B and E) and the heptavalent one (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). The first drug is usually released by the veterinary ASL, while the second is available at the vet's office. The heptavalent antitoxin is recommended for different types of botulism.
- Most of the time, ducks are affected by type C botulism, which usually does not cause problems for humans, dogs or cats; in some cases, however, they may suffer from type E botulism.
- Generally this treatment is not used because it is impractical, as it should be given early, when symptoms are not yet very evident.
Step 5. Heal the wounds
Botulism is sometimes caused by a cut that allowed the bacterium to enter the bloodstream. If your pet has an injury, you must take him to the vet to have the wound healed and treated surgically as well.
Step 6. Wait two days
Most ducks heal on their own within two days; if your specimen also takes this time, everything will be fine.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Botulism in Ducks
Step 1. Understand how botulism develops
Ducks often contract this disease by living, drinking and eating in standing water, where the bacteria these animals ingest thrive.
- They can also get sick by eating small dead invertebrates, in addition to the worms that feed on the carcasses.
- Ducks can also get botulism through spoiled food and dead plants.
Step 2. Monitor the fly population
Limiting the number of flies reduces the quantity of larvae present on the territory, which are generally carriers of the bacterium; the presence of flies is due to several reasons, especially if the ducks live close to other livestock.
- Pay attention to the manure. It is one of the main factors that attract flies; make sure you take it off at least twice a week. It is also important to let it dry, because when it is wet it attracts insects even more; to dry it, spread it a thin layer in the sun and collect it when it no longer shows traces of humidity.
- Quickly clean up any spills. Any traces of both food and manure can attract flies and you should remove them promptly to keep the insect population in check.
- Make sure that drains don't get overgrown with weeds, as these muddy areas are other places that flies like to congregate.
- Introduce insect species that prey on flies; for example, a small species of wasp is parasitoid of flies and eats their pupae without creating problems for humans.
Step 3. Remove the carcasses
If there are several ducks that have died from botulism, it is important to get rid of them, otherwise others could get the disease and infect the water even more.
The best solution is to burn the corpses or bury them away from the other ducks
Step 4. Remove dead fish
They can cause the same problems as deceased ducks; if they are found in a pond frequented by birds, you should remove them if possible.
Step 5. Pay attention to shallow bodies of water
In these environments the water can stagnate and, especially in the summer season, the Botox bacteria can thrive. The ideal would be to drain the water or flood the entire area to deprive the bacteria of these potentially fertile soils.
