Limp and Panting Ducks

Bapak Adjie – by email

I am a breeder of entog / Ducks, want to consult about the existence of entog/ducks that experience lethargy, liquid/slimy stools, lost appetite, sometimes just drinking, feathers stand / like fluffy, and visible breath from the beak. After 2 days of lethargy symptoms finally did not want to go out of the cage and only slept in the cage. I already gave Fortevit and Trimezyn (just a day) but no progress. Please answer what is the cause of this symptom and how is the treatment and prevention because this has happened 2 times. Thank you.

Answer :
Thank you Mr. Adjie for the question. According to the information you provide, the disturbance / problem experienced by the duck may be caused by the following things:

1. Heat stress
   Feces / feces that tend to be liquid or diarrhea symptoms are the effects of heat stress (stress due to too high ambient temperature) because the need for water increases sharply when the cage conditions are hot. When livestock is kept at high temperatures, it tends to reduce the amount of ration consumption and increase drinking water consumption to compensate for water lost during the evaporation process. When the temperature is normal, the ratio of water needs: feed is 2 : 1, while in hot conditions it can reach a ratio of 5-7: 1. Ducks will naturally increase their drinking consumption to lower body temperature and lazy to move. The effect that can result from this is that the stool becomes more watery. In addition, the condition heat stress it will also cause the duck to panting or breathing by opening its beak. Chickens that are stressed due to treatment or uncomfortable environmental conditions can also result in diarrhea due to electrolyte imbalances in the body.

2. Infectious diseases
   Infection of digestive and respiratory diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause symptoms of diarrhea. Examples of diseases that can cause diarrhea symptoms include colibacillosis, salmonellosis, cholera and viral diseases, especially immunosuppressive ones such as AI, ND, etc. Meanwhile, infection with helminth parasites also causes diarrhea. To be more accurate, the observation of other clinical symptoms should be made, surgery mainly looks at changes in the digestive tract and, if necessary, laboratory tests to support the diagnosis.

Here are some ways of handling and Prevention based on each cause :

a. Heat Stress

• Create a comfortable environment so that ducks can produce optimally. The ideal ambient temperature for ducks is 26-30°C with a maximum humidity of 90%. Adjust the density of the cage. If the area of the cage is given enough, then it can guarantee all the Ducks get a uniform space and oxygen. Part of the cage room is shaded (roof) so that all duck activities ranging from eating, drinking, laying eggs, resting to sleeping are carried out in the cage. Do enough ventilation arrangements in the cage so that the Ducks do not feel too hot, especially when the weather is hot. Curtain opening to increase wind circulation, this can help lower the temperature and humidity in the cage. The addition of a fan (fan)/blower can also be an option. The cage must be made in such a way that it is easy to clean, the trench channel is smooth, the air circulation is smooth and clean, and gets enough sunlight. Complete with a pond or Aqueduct for a source of drinking water and a place for ducks to clean themselves or cool off on a hot afternoon.
• It is best not to give rations during the day when the temperature conditions are high, because it can cause death due to the high activity of digestive metabolism and the generation of a lot of body heat.
• The supply of electrolytes and vitamins needs to be supplemented when heat stress, either through drinking water or rations. Like Vita Stress which can help lower stress levels. Vitamin yang diperlukan saat heat stress antara lain vitamin C, E, K, biotin, riboflavin dan D. While electrolytes are needed to maintain the stability of blood pH which is disturbed due to decreased CO₂ levels in the body when panting. In addition, electrolytes also help increase water retention and prevent dehydration. Can also provide such Vitesel C or C-Fresh. The most important Vitamin is vitamin C because it acts as a good antistress and is needed in hydroxylation reactions in the adrenal glands to reduce the production of the hormone ACTH.
• When the temperature is high, the development of disease seeds in the drinking water reservoir becomes faster. In this case, the water level of the filter (Bioflushwater and sanitation (Desinsep) should be improved. If possible, remove feces from the cage before the dry season. The heat generated during the decomposition of feces has an effect on the dispersion of heat in the cage.
• Observe the cleanliness of the cage. So is the disinfection of the cage. When there is livestock choose safe disinfectants, such as Antisep, Neo Antisep or Medisep.

b. Infectious diseases

Handling diarrhea caused by infection is to do the treatment in accordance with the infecting agent of the disease. Previously it was necessary to ascertain the direction of the diagnosis first, so that the handling was more accurate.

• For bacterial diseases, give the right antibiotics according to the disease in ducks such as Trimezyn, Therapy, or herbal Fithera, or given an injection Gentamin/Medoxy-LA. So that the results of treatment can be optimal, pay attention to the accuracy of the dose and duration/duration of Drug Administration must be in accordance with the recommendations on the label/product etiquette.
• Viral diseases, if necessary, can be revaccinated to increase immunity and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.
• Worm infections can be given drugs according to the type of worms such as Levamid for tapeworms and Gilks or Vermixon Syrup for gilded worms.
• Give vitamins such as Fortevit or Vita Stress to maintain the body's resistance, prevent stress at the time before or after vaccination, change of ration, bad weather, and accelerate the recovery of health after illness and after treatment. Turbo also a special vitamin for ducks containing multivitamins and amino acids (lysine, methionine). Turbo it can be used to increase and prolong the period of egg production, increase fertility (fertility), prevent diseases caused by vitamin deficiency and prevent stress. Also give immunostimulants (Imustim) which is able to improve the immune system in conditions of immunosuppression due to heat stress.
• Upgrade biosecurity by doing the following:
  • Perform cage sanitation by cleaning, washing and spraying with Formades/Sporades for empty cages or with Antisep/Neo Antisep for the content cage
  • Responsible for the maintenance and maintenance of the equipment and equipment Medisep once every 2 days (during treatment, discontinued first)
  • Clean drinking water by using Medisep to prevent disease transmission through drinking water (during treatment, stopped first). Do it anyway flushing to clean moss or biofilm attached to the drinking water pipe.