Cayuga duckling, limping, won't walk ....please help!!!!

[samuelsonfarm]

My 4 week old Cayuga duckling named Blueberry is all of a sudden limping on one side

. He/she seemed totally fine 1hr ago, then all of a sudden when I went to heard (all 13 of) them into the pen (lawn had to be cut) Blueberry started sitting down, wings out and hobbling low to the ground. I can't see or feel any break in the leg, but it seems like she doesn't want to bear any weight on the left leg. There is a small spot on her foot that looks whitish, but the skin doesn't look broken at all. She has black feet, so the white is visible, just the skin is that color, but it does not look cut or infected at all. It may be just her natural coloring there. I am worried sick about her. I'm new to ducks, so I am unfamiliar with the types of vitamins and such that are useful for ducks. Any home/natural remedies would be great. PLEASE HELP....I'm a mess.

UPDATE: Went out to check on them an hour ago, and the limping duck is running around with everyone else. What was that all about?! I'll continue to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[Amiga]

Ducks can pick up splinters, and can sprain or strain their legs. I would still give someone a lukewarm bath deep enough to float in, and watch closely. Keep an eye on her for several more days, just to be sure it wasn't something that might start a case of bumblefoot.

 

[samuelsonfarm]

So, here's the weird part....this duck sometimes limps and other times seems totally fine. I see no sign of injury on the leg or foot. Any suggestions??

 

[Miss Lydia]

So, here's the weird part....this duck sometimes limps and other times seems totally fine. I see no sign of injury on the leg or foot. Any suggestions??

Makes me think Niacin deficiency are you giving Brewers yeast or niacin? I think I would it sure wouldn't hurt.

 

[Amiga]

Only from my own experience. I have to be careful of one of my knees. All of a sudden, it just develops a moderately sharp pain, causing me to limp a little. I consider it a weak spot. So, I favor it, and start doing some extra strengthening exercises, cut back on sweets and starches (they aggravate inflammation for me), and if I were a real go-getter, would wrap it with an Epsom salts compress. As if I hold still long enough to do that!

I wonder if some little duck has a weak spot around a joint and it gets aggravated.

Hydrotherapy, Epsom salts, natural anti-inflammatories are what I would try, especially if there is nothing wrong that you can see or feel. My knee doesn't look any different, doesn't swell or get warm, it just goes.