Type C botulism is one of the main diseases that affect the health of ducks, both wild and domesticated ducks. Usually, you just have to let the disease go away on its own. However, there are certain exceptions that you should keep in mind; if there are ducks infected with botulism, keep or separate the ducks from the flock. In addition, there are steps that can be taken to prevent the disease.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Dealing with Botulism in Ducks
Step 1. Pay attention to the symptoms that the ducks may show
Botulism is a disease that poisons ducks. This disease is also known as limberneck disease. Botulism causes paralysis in ducks, starting with difficulty rising or diving below the surface of the water. His legs will be paralyzed so you might see him trying to move his wings instead. In addition, his eyelids looked droopy and his neck looked sluggish. The paralysis experienced is also sometimes followed by diarrhea.
Step 2. Move the duck to another place
After you know that there is a sick duck, move the duck from the place (which is suspected to be the place of infection). You need to provide a simple cage for the ducks. If the duck is left where it came from, it will still be infected by the bacteria present. Therefore, you must remove it from its original place if you want the condition of the duck to improve.
However, keep in mind that not all ducks can recover. Only ducks that were not infected with the deadly bacteria were able to recover
Step 3. Provide plenty of fresh water
When you first see the symptoms of botulism, it is important that you immediately provide clean and fresh water for infected ducks. Water helps push bacteria out of the duck's body.
If the duck does not want to drink, use an injection to put water in the duck's body
Step 4. Give antitoxin to ducks
The two main antitoxins that can be administered are the trivalent botulism antitoxin (A, B, E) and the heptvalent botulism antitoxin (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). The first type of antitoxin can be obtained from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (try visiting the nearest BPOM office). For the second type of antitoxin, you can get it through your vet who will need to get it yourself from the Food and Drug Administration. The use of a second type of antitoxin (heptvalent antitoxin) is also recommended to treat other types of botulism.
- Often ducks contract type C botulism which, in general, will not infect humans, dogs, or cats. However, sometimes ducks are also infected with botuslime type E.
- Usually, treatment with antitoxin does not need to be done. In addition to being impractical, treatment also needs to be done as early as possible when the symptoms of botulism are not so obvious.
Step 5. Treat the wound
Sometimes, botulism is caused by an injury that allows bacteria to enter the blood. If your duck has an injury, you will need to take him to the vet for examination as the wound may need to be treated with surgery.
Step 6. Wait for two days
Usually the condition of the ducks will improve in two days. If your duck's condition seems to improve within two days, there's a good chance it will recover.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Botulism in Ducks
Step 1. Understand how botulism is transmitted
Often, ducks contract botulism because they live, drink, and eat in areas of constant water (without circulating water). This encourages the growth of bacteria, and ducks living in these waters may inhale the bacteria.
- Ducks can also contract botulism after eating small dead invertebrates, as well as maggots that eat carrion in the vicinity of the duck's habitat.
- Rotten food or dead plants can also spread and transmit botulism to ducks.
Step 2. Control the fly population living around the duck habitat
By limiting the fly population, you can limit the population of maggots that carry the botulism bacteria and live in the habitat of ducks. The fly population develops due to several factors, especially if ducks are kept near/with other livestock.
- Control or manage the manure used. Manure is one thing that attracts flies. Make sure you remove any remaining manure, at least, twice a week. It's also important that you dry the fertilizer, as the moisture in the fertilizer can attract flies. To dry it, spread and spread the manure in a sunny spot. Pick up the fertilizer with a shovel after it dries.
- Clean up any spilled liquid. Both fodder and manure spills can attract flies. Therefore, immediately clean up any spills to prevent the arrival of flies.
- Make sure no weeds contaminate or fill the drain ditch. Such dark areas can attract flies.
- Cultivate fly-eating species. For example, young wasps of the fly parasitoid species feed on fly cocoons. In addition, these species will not interfere with humans.
Step 3. Dispose of animal carcasses in the duck's habitat
If several ducks die from botulism, it is important that you dispose of the carcasses immediately. Other ducks can also contract botulism from existing carcasses. In addition, the carcass can also contaminate or pollute the existing water areas.
The best solution that can be done is to bury or burn the carcasses of the dead animals in a place far enough from the ducks' habitat
Step 4. Remove dead fish carcasses
Like duck carcasses, fish carcasses can also trigger the spread of botulism. If there are fish carcasses found in the duck pond, it's a good idea to immediately dispose of the fish carcasses.
Step 5. Be aware of shallow water conditions
Shallow water tends to be stagnant (in this case, has no water circulation). In addition, shallow water, especially in hot/warm weather, can trigger the development of botulism-causing bacteria. Therefore, it is a good idea to empty the shallow water area or increase the water in the area so that the water area is not used as a breeding ground for bacteria.
