When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
Diseases of Ducks: Keeping the Quack Pack Healthy
Lucy Grant
If you enjoy having ducks on your farm or homestead, you're not alone. Ducks in general are easy to care for and can provide plenty of entertainment for you and your family.
Fortunately, ducks are one of the most disease-resistant fowl and are seldom bothered by parasites or sickness. However, when illness does occur in ducks, it can spread rapidly and be fatal in a short period of time.
Taking a few measures to prevent disease will go a long way in keeping your ducks healthy. You should also be aware of duck diseases and know what symptoms warrant a call to your veterinarian.
Preventing illness
Proving plenty of clean water and dry shelter for your ducks will help prevent disease and keep your quack pack healthy. Good ventilation in the area where ducks are sheltered is also crucial.
You should also talk to your veterinarian regarding immunizing your ducks against duck diseases.
Duck virus enteritis
Also called duck plague, duck virus enteritis typically occurs in mature ducks. Caused by the herpes virus, the disease can be fatal as well as contagious. Affected ducks have ruffled feathers, become sluggish, and develop diarrhea that may contain blood or be greenish-yellow in color. It is crucial to vaccinate any breeder ducks in your flock against duck plague.
Slipped wing
Feathers that drop from the body in ducklings are symptoms of slipped wing. This is caused by a duckling growing rapidly due to too much protein in their diet. Consulting with your veterinarian to determine the correct amount of protein for the duckling's diet should clear up the problem.
Worms
Worms that occur in ducks sometimes are nothing more than a nuisance. However, some parasites can lead to severe health risks or be fatal. Coughing, shaking of the head, and weight loss can signal worms. Sometimes the worms are noticeable in the duck's droppings. You should follow your veterinarian's guidelines for de-worming your ducks to prevent parasite infestations.
Duck virus hepatitis
Contagious and fatal, duck virus hepatitis affects young ducklings. Symptoms include spasms, contractions in legs, and arching of the back. Preventing this deadly disease is vital. You should vaccinate mother ducks when you are breeding ducks to protect ducklings from developing duck virus hepatitis.
While duck diseases can be serious and at times be fatal, fortunately they are rare. Taking the proper measures to prevent disease, and working closely with your veterinarian, such asArmory Dog & Cat Hospital, will help you keep your quack pack healthy and happy.
Share