My duck is walking funny

[Redheadsrfun]

She seemed to be limping and when she walks rocks heavily from side to side. I have thoroughly checked for Bumblefoot and any feet/wing injuries and nothing! She's always kinda walked that way but lately it seems difficult and she's been a bit immobile, though still has a healthy appetite and otherwise acts like her normal self! No puffed up feathers, diet is the same, what gives?? 10 week old Pekin/Mallard. Thanks for any insight!

 

[Orca5094]

One of my ducks is on Metacam (liquid meds) long-term and I just put it on a tiny piece of bread. She gobbles it right down. Very simple and easy. Bread isn't good for ducks in large amount, but one tiny piece (just big enough to soak up the meds) a day is not going to hurt anything at all.

 

[Redheadsrfun]

Well at least your getting it into her. Hopefully they will make a difference.  You do know to be very careful when giving meds not to get them down into her air sacs.  @casportpony
has a pic on how to administer meds down poultry throats.  or are you just putting it into her bill? Oh I know I always get help if I have to do any worming etc. So much easier if there is 2.  After she is finished with her meds I'd put a bird probiotic in her drinking water for a while to get back the friendly bacteria the meds have killed.

Thanks for update. 

That is great advice, thank you!! I did not know about the air sacs. I stick the syringe as far back into her mouth as I can and slowly push the liquid out. The vet did not do a good job prepping me for giving duck meds!

 

[Duckgrammy]

I use bread to give a pill of glucosomine to my old drake works great.

I use only Ezekiel Bread as it is flourless and only sprouted grain. All I eat myself. Anything I put on it, my ducks just gobble down and it doesn't keep them from eating their regular food.
I put portions of antibiotic powder on a small piece of it, syringe water drops on it until the powder just sinks in. It may take several small pieces for the full dose. My ducks like to eat this from my hand and suspect nothing ominous. Liquid meds work this way also. Mixing in water to drink has not been good because they never drink all of it before it gets mucky. I just provide clean water nearby. They can wash it all down. If one has many ducks this would be difficult but for my two Pekins or a small number it can work.

 

[jducour]

My Pekins have a very exaggerated waddle. They sway from side to side when they walk, and none of my other breeds do. If you are concerned, I'm sure there is merit to it. Will you please list exactly what she eats - food brand and type, treats and supplements. Also, what type of area does she live in? Grass, dirt, cement, gravel, etc. Do you have other ducks?

 

[Redheadsrfun]

Thank you for your reply! We have recently sectioned the ducks and chickens (2 ducks and 4 chickens) off to grow grass in the majority of our yard. They are currently in mostly dirt and gravel, sand in their pens. I feed the ducks Dumor 20% (bought the big 50 lb bag and trying to finish it off) in the morning and greens (romaine, dandelion, bok choy or kale) in the evening usually w a tomato to split. The male duck is fine, it's just my little lady who seems to be having any issues

 

[jducour]

Thank you for your reply! We have recently sectioned the ducks and chickens (2 ducks and 4 chickens) off to grow grass in the majority of our yard. They are currently in mostly dirt and gravel, sand in their pens. I feed the ducks Dumor 20% (bought the big 50 lb bag and trying to finish it off) in the morning and greens (romaine, dandelion, bok choy or kale) in the evening usually w a tomato to split. The male duck is fine, it's just my little lady who seems to be having any issues

Is it possible she is being over mated? A proper duck to drake ratio is 2-3 ducks per male minimum. If he is mating her too much, she can be sore and possibly hurt - which could impact her walking. How old are they?

 

[Redheadsrfun]

...

Is it possible she is being over mated?  A proper duck to drake ratio is 2-3 ducks per male minimum.  If he is mating her too much, she can be sore and possibly hurt - which could impact her walking.  How old are they?
[/quote

They are both just 11 weeks old this Saturday, so too young to mate. I made an appt for her tomorrow at the vet, fingers crossed!

 

[jducour]

Ok, let me know how it turns out!

 

[tomynoks]

I'm no expert, but the first things I would do is wrap affected areas in Epsom salt soaked cloths 2-3 times a day for 15-20 or longer if possible and supplement their water w niacin and food w Brewers yeast. I'm new to ducks this year, but I've had 2 ducks w leg or foot problems and this treatment worked on both. Keep us posted