Advice for an arthritic/ special needs Pekin

[Mandaashley21]

This is lengthy but I would really appreciate you sticking it out if you have any experience with special needs/ arthritic ducks. I have a sweet Pekin, probably only 2-3 years old. We got her from someone who had gotten her from somewhere else. When we took her in, she was limping but still pretty mobile. Our vet took an X-ray and saw arthritis around one of her ankles. He said it looked like it came from an injury that didn’t heal right and prescribed meloxicam. Over the past 8 almost year she’s has gotten worse and better on and off. I separated her from the flock this spring so my male wouldn’t be able to injure her more. Since the spring she has looked more uncomfortable now with both legs out to the sides. She is totally immobile except when she drags herself with her beak and wings. I set her up with food and water in front of her and take her into her pool at least once a day. About a month ago the vet switched her to gabapentin 3x/day but I haven’t really seen an improvement. He did not recommend a new X-ray and didn’t seem concerned it could be a new injury. He said it was probably just more wear and tear on the rest of her body. I’ve tried niacin, glucosamine and other supplements on and off. The glucosamine turmeric mixed helped a lot last fall but it hasn’t made a difference lately. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I tried a sling but she flipped out and kept trying to get out of it and I didn’t want her to hurt herself. Do I bring her to another vet for a second opinion or take her in to let her pass on? I don’t mind having a handicapped duck but I don’t want her to be in pain with no quality of life either. Ugh. If you made it this far, I appreciate it more than you know.

 

[casportpony]

Wow, so sorry your duck isn't doing well. If going to a vet fo a second opinion, I think I would do that. Was the first vet an avian vet?

 

[Canadian Wind]

I'm so sorry to hear about this! Poor thing. Pekins being a heavy breed can develop these problems, unfortunately, especially those that come from the meat industry.

Is it possible to give her more swim time? It will relieve the pressure of trying to put weight on her legs. And perhaps give her some soaking time in epsom salts (bucket so she can't drink the water). I agree with Casportpony, you should seek a second opinion and see from there.

Please let us know how it goes!

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I'm sorry too. This happens to Perkins fairly often. I call it meat bird syndrome they are bred to get heavy very quick for butchering and sometimes this is too much for their little legs. I think you have a quality of life decision to make. I'm not familiar with Gabapentin as a pain reliever. Its an anti anxiety drug for humans. you might ask the vet about giving her a baby aspirin once a day. Does she lay?

 

[Quatie]

I am so sorry to hear about your Pekin. Pekins weight can be a challenge and they often have leg issues. Like mentioned water therapy can help take pressure off the joints and help. I would also look at it's weight and make sure it is not too overweight. Pekins have a tendency to over eat and the extra weight may be making things more difficult. You can feel their keel bone and should feel a slight give from the bone. If you don't feel it, your Pekin likely is over weight.

You can try a sling to take off the weight as well. Here is a thread that talks about it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-sling-a-ducks-leg.1450307/

A good avian vet will likely be your best bet. But you will unfortunately probably need to be looking at quality of life of nothing else can be done. It is never an easy decision to make. I hope your Pekin is able to get better.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Aging is a beeyotch.. ask me I know! Some days are more painful than others. Sorry you both face this!

She is totally immobile except when she drags herself with her beak and wings.

Welcome to BYC!

That's not quality of life, in my book.

Re gabapentin .. it works on the central nervous system.. to reduce NERVE pain (like pins and needles) and also has many other uses (like anti seizure) as determined by the medical professionals. May not increase mobility, but may still decrease PERCEPTION of pain.

AT 10-11 years old.. her condition sounds beyond just "crippled" to me.. it sounds possibly painful. I know mine is.

Letting go is hard, but sometimes it's the right thing to do. I personally would seek euthanasia. All life is finite and it sounds like you've done everything you can for her. Why not one final act of extreme kindness.

Sorry for putting it that way or if my statements hurt. These are never easy situations..

 

[KaleIAm]

I'm very sorry to hear about what you and your duck are dealing with. I experienced a similar situation with my duck, and I know how hard it is.

We did find several things that helped.

Increasing the metacam to over the recommended dosage, and giving it twice daily instead of once. We did have to do blood work every few weeks to check organ function with the high dosage.

Providing very thick/soft layers to stand on. So, 6+ inches of clean/fluffed straw in their barn, or 3-4 thick towels inside, or thick grass outside.

Limiting mobility. I put a barrier up to make their barn room and aviary smaller. If I took her for a walk I carried her to the foraging places, let her walk around, and carried her home.

Keeping her warm and dry. My duck's symptoms were worst in the winter, so I bought her a safe heater called a sweeter heater, brought her inside when it was very cold, and had her bathe in my tub in room temp water.

Also, floating as much as possible. And drying her off afterward if chilly.

My duck was always on the thin side so I didn't need to worry about that, but definitely watch that.

My vet had told me I could give her narcotics, but then I couldn't leave her alone with even drinking water, and I decided not to try that option.

Some pain is ok, I have arthritis pain everyday and I want to live. In the end, her pain was too much and I said goodbye. This was over a year ago, and a very hard choice, but the right one for us.

 

[ruthhope]

I'm sorry too. This happens to Perkins fairly often. I call it meat bird syndrome they are bred to get heavy very quick for butchering and sometimes this is too much for their little legs. I think you have a quality of life decision to make. I'm not familiar with Gabapentin as a pain reliever. Its an anti anxiety drug for humans. you might ask the vet about giving her a baby aspirin once a day. Does she lay?

The dose of aspirin for a large duck is 75 mg three times a day [that is one quarter of a 300mg tablet] . Smaller ducks should be given 40mg four times a day [that is half a baby aspirin as these are generally 82- 83mg]