Can Ducks Have Seizures? Yes, They Can!

Seizure is a neurological disorder common in humans. But I know many duck owners who are concerned about whether their ducks can have this disorder. 

But can ducks have seizures? Yes. We blame neurologic complications that cause ducks or geese to have seizures. Either it’ll be a lifelong seizure of genetic fact or a sudden onslaught of seizures due to poisonous things. However, vet care is what they need to overcome! In an emergency,  give the adult one a dose of Karo Syrup.

Don’t worry! Ducks in your yard are going to be good soon. I’ll be discussing all the symptoms, causes, and how vets usually treat this health issue.

Can Ducks Have Seizures? 7 Reasons Why!

Seizure is a health condition that either comes suddenly or happens during the birth of ducks. It’s basically an uncontrolled burst of brain electrical activity. When ducks have this, you’ll see them having awkward movements and behavior that makes their life troublesome. [what is seizure]

It’s harsh but true that your ducks can have seizures due to some notable facts. Well, the causes I found are many, but usually, seizures come out due to facts as follows. 

• Ducks age
• Neurological disorder (Congenital or Environmental) and genetic predisposition
• Poisoning and toxin
• Wounds or injuries
• Error in incubation
• Metabolic disorder
• Wrong medication or vaccination.

Besides, I must say that your ducks usually have two types of seizures. Lifelong seizures, such as neurological disorders or injuries, can happen at a young age because of mishandling, dropping, or falling. Sometimes, it can be genetic or due to a brain or spinal accident inside the egg.

However, according to the June 2013 Newsletter of Majestic Waterfowl, adult ducks or geese often experience sudden seizures because of poisoning.

Unfortunately, seizures can be fatal for ducks in North America. And that’s why pet owners asked for help on forum sites by saying, “My duck had a seizure and died, and some of them are dying.” However, noticing them experiencing seizures requires the immediate attention of the avian expert or vet.

However, let’s see the reasons in detail to understand the illness in ducks better. 

1. Ducks Age

Adult ducks are more likely to have seizures. Also, ducklings or goslings can be born with neurologic disorders that cause seizures or other complications. 

If ducklings are born with neurologic disorders and are not treated, they can get affected by seizures. So, it’s common in baby ducks’ lives as well.

2. Genetic Predisposition

It’s possible to have genetic problems in ducks that cause seizures. It happens by birth due to predisposition. Therefore, breeding programs must check the health condition of the mother ducks who lay eggs.

3. Error in Incubation

It’s an artificial idea to incubate ducks’ eggs where you mistake to keep the proper temperature or humidity. It happens when you’re raising ducks as an unqualified, inexperienced pet owner. 

Incubation error is a big problem that actually causes neurological issues for a lifetime, including the following. 

• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Imbalance
• Muscle coordination deficit 
• Spinning in the cycle.

Some vets don’t prefer to touch the hatchlings in that condition except to offer euthanasia to avians. No one actually wants to see them suffer. So, it’s what they choose. However, if they’re in mild condition, the vet may take action to cure them.

4. Wounds Or Injuries

Due to head injury, ducks potentially have seizures. It typically happens for mishandling, like children who keep the duck so tight or due to dropping or falling.

Injuries like head and spinal cord trauma are something to check ASAP. Remember, it can be anything among the following. 

• Fractures
• brain swelling
• spinal compression
• hemorrhaging for a lifetime
• Open-bill panting
• Unwillingness while engaging in work.

Recommended article: Treating Duck Wound

5. Poisoning Or Toxins

Ducks are natural foragers who may consume poisonous things with a bacterial or fungal infection. It can be fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Avian influenza bacterial encephalitis or Newcastle disease is to blame for it! They’re the problem that can cause seizures in them.

Also, they get attracted to shiny things like heavy metals (zinc, lead), jewelry, or hardware pieces. If they consume, they get leading poisoning that ultimately causes sudden seizures.

Such issues are sudden, so let the vet take care of it.

6. Metabolic Disorder

Based on ScienceDirect, Metabolic diseases can cause seizures due to the disruption in energy metabolism, production of toxins, and alteration of osmolality. In the case of avians, seizures also come out of metabolic imbalance. The primary culprits are low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) or calcium levels (hypocalcemia).

Recommended Read: Various Duck Diseases

7. Wrong Medication Or vaccination

Mistakenly giving the wrong dose of medicine or vaccine is another possible reason behind waterfowl seizures. Due to this wrongdoing, backyard friends may have neurological effects that cause seizures.

How Do You Know If a Duck Has a Seizure? Symptoms To Note Down!

It’s easy to identify that domestic ducks have seizures. In the case of birds like them, you’ll clearly see them unable to stand, lose consciousness, fall off their perch, and even exhibit severe muscle cramps or spasms.

Aside from that, I have some other symptoms that are actually a sign of having seizures in the body.

1. Uncontrolled Movement: Your duck’s body and limbs will have sudden uncontrolled movements.
2. Tremors Or Twitching: Muscle twitching or tremors are a common sign that indicates ducks have seizures.
3. Lack of Consciousness: Ducks can be unaware, unresponsive, and not respond to stimuli.
4. Postictal Time: When they carry seizures, they’ll surely get confused, disoriented, or fatigued for ten minutes to one hour. We call it the postictal phase.
5. Problem With Vocalization: They are inappropriately quacking or making distress calls, which can be another sign that indicates ducks have seizures.

However, if you suspect ducks have any of these signs, take vet advice or give importance to such underlying issues immediately.

Here is a video that’ll be great to give you a clear understanding of duck seizures.

7 Things To Do When Ducks Have Seizure

Until seizures get highly severe in ducks, I can give you some professional tips collected after extensive research. Here are the suggestions:

1. Veterinarian Attention: Suspecting seizures must require the vet’s care. They can identify the issue and will give the right medication.
2. Avoid Touching Them: Don’t touch them with a bare hand, as they may have something contagious. Ducks are in severe condition, so take proper care separately and ensure your safety. You can keep them in a cage with soft bedding.
3. Offer Supportive Care: When you have ducks like Pekin, Mallard, or Muscovy with seizures, the vet may offer them Glucose, Fluids, Sedatives, or Anticonvulsants and Proper nutrition. But before that, they’ll do a necropsy or autopsy to identify the condition.
4. Giving Syrup: Karo syrup to adult ducks is a good idea. But ensure the ducks with seizures are over 3 pounds, and you offer a 6 ml syrup dose.
5. Aquarium Charcoal: Pet owners have experienced something good when they used activated charcoal in their pronto. It’s because the thing absorbs toxins with bacteria or chemicals.
6. Euthanasia For Life Issue: It’s better not to keep them in pain when the seizures cause severe issues. Avian euthanasia can be explored here. It’s an overdose from sodium pentobarbital intravenous anesthesia.
7. Offering Supplement: Although the internet suggests humanely euthanizing is a good idea, I think you should try to cure them by taking the vet’s help. Giving supplements like vitamins can be great!

Sometimes, the vet may offer antibiotics, vitamin B, or niacin supplements.

Related Articles:

• Niacin Deficiency in Ducks
• Duck Egg Binding
• Treatment For Prolapsed Vent In Ducks
• Angel Wings In Ducks And Recovering

Bottom Line

So, ducks can have seizures, and it’s pretty confirmed. Until it’s getting too severe, your ducks can be kept safe by taking proper care. But it’s too upsetting when such cute avians face seizure difficulties, making them totally unstable. So, experts prioritize Euthanasia.

Next time you see any of the symptoms I mentioned, just call the vet. They’ll have to carry it until death if it’s for lifetime seizure. But when it’s sudden seizures due to poison or toxins, veterinarians will give the cheerful duck in the yard again.

Sources And References:

• https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=5124282&pid=1134
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1096286798800376
• http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/mmissue113.htm