A Wildlife Center First?
PATIENT: Gadwall, #10-2088
LOCATION: Highland County,Virginia
CAUSE OF ADMISSION: Unable to walk
ADMISSION DATE: October 5
PROGNOSIS: Questions remain about use of legs
Gadwall Amanda October 2010
On October 5 a small duck was admitted to the Wildlife Center. The duck had been picked up in Highland County [in the western mountainous section of the state] and was unable to walk.
At first, the Center’s veterinary staff thought they were dealing with a female Mallard. On closer examination, however, the duck was identified as a Gadwall – believed to be the first Gadwall admitted for treatment in the Center’s 28-year history.
Center vets found a large wound on the Gadwall’s back — perhaps the result of an attack by a dog or by another duck. The patient was unable to move its legs and had significant loss of sensation in its feet — perhaps the result of spinal trauma. The Gadwall is being treated with anti-inflammatories, is a calm patient ["very unlike a Mallard", Dr. Dave has opined], and seems to have regained some additional feeling in its feet.
The bird is eating on its own but is receiving supplemental tube-feeding. Radiographs have been tentatively scheduled for early during the week of October 10.
About the Gadwall … these dabbling ducks breed in the north-central United States and the “prairie provinces” of Canada. Gadwalls winter along the East Coast and in the southern U.S. and Mexico.
Poor little guy
