Content

• Steps

Botulism type C infection is a disease that affects both domestic and mallard ducks. In most cases, you can wait for the disease to go away on its own and isolate the sick duck from the flock. In addition, there are ways to help prevent the disease.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Treatment of Botulism in ducks

1. 

   Keep track of symptoms. Botulism can poison ducks and cause "Limberneck disease". This type of bacteria can be paralyzing ducks, accompanied by the initial symptom of the inability to fly or swim underwater. The presser foot will become paralyzed and you may see the duck trying to use its wings to move. In addition, the eyelids and duck neck will collapse. Paralysis can also accompany diarrhea.

2. 

   
   
   Move the duck. Once you notice that the duck is sick, you should move it out of the infected area. You should create a basic shelter for the ducks.Leaving the duck on will make it worse. You need to remove the ducks from the source of the disease so that they can recover.
   • However, not all ducks will recover. Only when not infected with the dose of toxic lethal enough, ducks have a chance to survive.

3. 

   
   
   Give the duck lots of clean water. Ducks should be drinking clean water at the first sign of symptoms. Water helps flush bacteria out of duck body.
   • If the duck refuses to drink, you can give it a shot.

4. 

   Use an antidote. The two main antidotes that you can use are the trivalent Botulinum Antidote (A, B, E) and the Fifth Chemotherapy (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). The first can be purchased at your local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the second one can be purchased at a veterinary clinic (provided by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The second drug has the potential to cure more infections.
   • Botulism type C is usually toxic to ducks but does not affect people, dogs or cats. Ducks can sometimes be infected with Botulism type E.
   • However, antitoxin treatment is often not used because it is impractical and requires early use of ducks, when symptoms do not appear clear.

5. 

   
   
   Wound treatment. The wound will sometimes give bacteria a chance to enter the bloodstream and cause Botulism. If the duck is injured, you should take the duck to the veterinarian so that the doctor can operate and treat the wound.

6. 

   Wait 2 days. In most cases, botulism in ducks can go away within 2 days. If the recovery takes longer, you should also continue to wait. advertisement

Part 2 of 2: Preventing Botulism infections in ducks

1. 

   Understanding the pathways for botulism infection in ducks. Ducks are often infected by living, drinking and eating in standing water. Stagnant water is a breeding medium for bacteria, so bacteria will enter the duck's body if ducks drink standing water.
   • Ducks can also become infected with Botulism by eating dead small invertebrates or maggots that eat the dead.
   • Damaged food and dead plants can also infect ducks with Botulism.

2. 

   Control flies. You should limit flies and maggots in the duck breeding area to limit the spread of bacteria. Flies can grow for a variety of reasons, especially when keeping ducks around other animals.
   • Remove animal feces. Feces are the biggest attraction for flies. You should remove stools at least 2 times per week. You should also dry the stool dry, as wet manure attracts flies. To dry the stool, spread it in a sunny area and then pick it up after drying.
   • Clean up quickly if food or stool is spilled. Food spills and fecal spills can attract flies. Cleaning up will help keep flies away.
   • Clearing weeds in drainage ditches. Overcast, grassy areas can attract flies.
   • Keep animals eating flies. Fly parasites such as small wasps can eat fly pupae and pose no problem to humans.

3. 

   Body removal. If the duck has died from the Botulism infection, you should remove the dead duck immediately. Other ducks may eat dead animals. Furthermore, animal carcasses are a dangerous source of water pollution.
   • The best solution is to burn or bury the carcass so that the other ducks cannot see it.

4. 

   Remove dead fish. Dead fish can cause the same problems as dead ducks. If there is dead fish in a duck pond, you should remove the dead fish immediately.

5. 

   Clean up low-lying areas. Low-lying areas tend to be waterlogged, especially in warm weather and a source of botulism poisoning. Ideally, you should remove standing water and limit these areas to shallow soil. advertisement