By Lorraine Aubert | Executive Director
Puff was one of our original rescue ducks and came to us the day after the rescue officially opened. As a crested pekin, he has had some problems with balance and I always believed his problems were due to brain alterations that a third of crested ducks have because of a bad gene. The fat padded crest is partly nourished by brain vessels protruding through small holes in the skull. Trauma to the crest can put pressure on the nerves to the brain causing neurological symptoms.
Puff was recently seen by Dr. Speer at Medical Center For Birds and had a full set of x-rays. Dr. Speer did not see any holes in the skull but he did find a C2 deviation and severe lumbar spondylosis. He is being treated with an anti-inflammatory medication twice daily and is in semi-confinement. He is allowed to bathe daily but not allowed to roam freely.
After two weeks of no improvement, I contacted Dr. Speer and told him my observations. He told me to increase the medication and after a week, I do see improvement. Puff is not falling over as often and is able to keep his balance better. Puff is due for a recheck in the next couple of weeks. A CT exam may be a possibility and we are also considering acupuncture as a treatment to help help his muscles communicate with the nerves better.
Puff is still enjoying life taking baths in the pool and chowing down on food! He is very close to his brother, Poof, and they live together in the hospital barn.
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