Splayed leg duckling

[CoriM]

Because they've been scooting for a couple weeks now you're probably going to have to do some extra work with them to get them back to standing and walking. If it was me, I would go for the Vitamin B complex - just because it works so amazingly for leg issues. I would tape their legs into position, and then work on helping them stand for a few minutes every half hour or so - supporting most of their weight with your hand, but letting their muscles work some too. Plus continue swimming a couple times a day for exercise.

 

[pricejacquelene]

Because they've been scooting for a couple weeks now you're probably going to have to do some extra work with them to get them back to standing and walking. If it was me, I would go for the Vitamin B complex - just because it works so amazingly for leg issues. I would tape their legs into position, and then work on helping them stand for a few minutes every half hour or so - supporting most of their weight with your hand, but letting their muscles work some too. Plus continue swimming a couple times a day for exercise.

I personally do not think that its splayed leg. If I were to tape down one of my ducklings legs it would truly hurt it. The way its leg is positioned. It doesn't even fold down like the other even when its in water.

 

[pricejacquelene]

How old are your ducklings? Do you have them on liquid vitamin B complex? This is the best way to quickly get them what they need for their legs. I had a duckling develop splay leg a couple years ago. She initially was walking, then just started laying much more, and having difficulty standing. I taped her legs together with vet wrap. It sticks to itself and not the duck. I let her swim in the tub everyday to exercise her legs, and when she needed to preen afterwards I kind of supported her body while she stood. You can do that a bit to help strengthen their legs, just don't overdue it. I left the vetwrap on several weeks - beyond when she was finally walking better, just to make sure. Here is a video after she was doing much better:

How much of the vitamin b complex do you give them? My vet suggested nutri drench but I've heard the b complex is better.

 

[CoriM]

Oh goodness, I guess you need to give more information then about what you observed when it started. You wouldn't want to hurt them or make it worse! Maybe you can attach pictures or video. With my duckling I noticed she started having difficulty getting up from a seated position, despite the fact that I had her on towels and tried shelf liner for traction. She would walk a tiny bit, but nearly as much as the other ducklings, after 2-3 weeks. She is a pekin and she put on weight really fast. What type of ducks are yours? I think you should definitely get them on the vitamin B complex versus nutri drench ASAP - can you get it at your local feed store? Otherwise get it from Amazon as quick as you can. Regarding how much to give, maybe @isaac o can help with that, or read the informational article at the top of the forum that is up about niacin deficiency. For my ducklings I just liberally added it to their small pan of drinking water and also their feed - which was fermented whole grains so already a wetter feed and easy to mix with the vitamins. I don't think you can really overdose them. You could try soaking some on a piece of bread and see if they'll take it that way. Otherwise syringe, which can be tricky when they're little.

 

[pricejacquelene]

This works really well:

How much do I give them?

 

[CoriM]

If you're giving it through syringe it looks like 1 mil a day, very carefully to the right side of the ducks mouth. You have to go slow and be careful it doesn't go into their lungs. Try it over treats first. Have you looked at the special topic "Niacin Deficiency in Waterfowl" that is found at the very top of the Duck forum? You should definitely read through that for lots of helpful information!

 

[pricejacquelene]

 

[pricejacquelene]

View attachment 2606199

Does anyone know what that bubble is in his neck? I've done everything in my power to help these 2. I'm praying the b complex will be a miracle worker.

 

[CoriM]

I was trying to figure out what I was seeing there. Can you get a close up photo of that? Has she always had it? Has it grown? Does it bother her? What did the vet say about it?

It sounds like you're really trying to help them! It can be so hard sometimes with these little ones who have needs we don't always understand. To me it does look like splay leg, though I'm just looking at one photo. The legs kind of go out to the sides, right? I don't think it will hurt them to align them properly and put the vet wrap on. Maybe try just gently pulling them to the right position and see if they seem in pain. I was so nervous to do it the first time - my husband is the one who had the guts and he helped me. But then it seemed so easy and no big deal, and it really did help them!

 

[pricejacquelene]

I was trying to figure out what I was seeing there. Can you get a close up photo of that? Has she always had it? Has it grown? Does it bother her? What did the vet say about it?

It sounds like you're really trying to help them! It can be so hard sometimes with these little ones who have needs we don't always understand. To me it does look like splay leg, though I'm just looking at one photo. The legs kind of go out to the sides, right? I don't think it will hurt them to align them properly and put the vet wrap on. Maybe try just gently pulling them to the right position and see if they seem in pain. I was so nervous to do it the first time - my husband is the one who had the guts and he helped me. But then it seemed so easy and no big deal, and it really did help them!

I just noticed it when I put it in the tub. Its like a bubble filled with liquid. Its like the fluid keeps coming up into his mouth. The vet knew about as much as I do about ducks. The legs is really hard to tell in a picture.