The Little Lame Duckling (with update & new pic)

[nissa_loves_cats]

This is/should be a picture of my little lame duckling (on left), who is only a couple of days old. He is an Indian Runner (presumably blue) and is pictured next to another one that hatched a day or so earlier.

Since hatching it has been dragging one leg. It acts like it can't bend the leg, but it does bend when I pick it up, and it doesn't seem to be in pain so it's not an injury (how would it get injured in an egg anyway?). It eats and drinks well and can move around the brooder just fine. It's getting tame since I handle it a lot.

I was wondering if anyone knows what might be wrong with it and if there is a chance it will outgrow the problem. Also, could it be anything hereditary? Or just the result of being a late hatcher?

 

[SAORSA]

bump

 

[rainplace]

Is the leg warm to the touch like the other leg? I probably won't be able to get back to this today, but if nothing else, here's a friendly bump.

 

[lovesduckies]

maybe a vitamin deficancy (sorry i am a horrible speller) duckyfromoz will be able to help. she is excellent with special needs ducklings. she has an adorable special needs duck named regie and has had success with many others! she will be on later (she lives in australia) i will e-mail her and have her take a look!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

I know nothing about ducklings, but it seems to me that a temporary splint around the body to hold the leg in as normal a position as possible might be advised. Otherwise, the leg will become more and more used to that abnormal position and might "set" that way - in which case, you will have to cull him.

So sorry about your little guy's problem.

 

[lovesduckies]

Quote:
if the duckie is handicap but not in pain and the OP is willing to take care of the handicap duckie, there won't be a need to cull the duckie. i have seen many ducks that have lived fine and my very best friend has a special needs duck who is very happy

 

[duckyfromoz]

The leg looks as if it may be rotated from the hip joint- I can see that the foot is turned - so I think it may be possible that the ducklind has a dislocated hip. It could be the reason that it was late hatching. If it was unable to move properly in the egg due to the dislocation- it would have taken longer to hatch- At the same time- it may have been caused by a difficult hatching and the dislocation occured due to straining to get out of the egg.

You said it can bend the leg - but how much movement of the foot is there?? Can it move the toes or bend the foot. I think if it is dislocated- Then strapping the leg shouldnt be done until some attempt can be made to relocate the ball into the socket of the leg. It would be difficult with such a little duckling- and also painful an should be done by someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

She's able to move her foot and leg, and does so as she moves about the pen--- still dragging the leg though. Hope it's not a dislocated hip as I don't know of anyone around here with experience fixing that on ducklings.

I'm not planning to cull/kill it since I have 'special needs' myself (autism) and don't want anyone getting all 'merciful' with me. It must be my year for limping animals since I had a lamb born that has weak hind legs--- though she's getting stronger and can run like the dickens on them!

I'm hoping poor little ducky will recover, or at least get around well enough to be a good pet.

UPDATE: Oh, crap. I inspected her and I think the hip is dislocated. Anyone know of someone in Upper Michigan who can fix dislocated duckling hips? What will happen if I can't get the hip back?

 

[Hattiegun]

bump

 

[maralynn28]

I'm so sorry all I can offer is a guess...
I believe since the duckling is still developing and growing, a dislocated hip is quite dangerous and could lead to deformity (bones not grow in right since they aren't sitting where they should). I'm guessing this because a dislocated joint is painful- but not too major for an adult, but for a child who is still growing there is some urgency in fixing it as bones grow quickly.
I hope all goes well and you are able to care for the sweet little guy.
good luck!