Duck unable to move legs.

[gsirois13]

Hello,
I have a 6 month old male Peking Duck that stopped walking suddenly 3 days ago and was flapping his wings and falling backwards. From doing research, I believe it’s from botulism so I gave him Epsom salt flushes for the first 2 days in addition to giving him electrolytes and vitamins. He’s now eating and drinking on his own but is still unable to walk. When I put him in his pool, his feet drag in the bottom as if he has no feel. He is able to wiggle his tail. My questions are assuming it is botulism, how long before he gains feel and control of his legs again? Also, any other ailments that would cause such symptoms? Really appreciate any feedback.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! Can you post some pictures of his feet and legs?

 

[gsirois13]

I posted pictures below.

 

[gsirois13]

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I’m fairly new to keeping ducks.

 

[Arya28]

Hello! I don't know if this has anything to do with it or not. But I just got ducklings for the first time yesterday and someone told be that ducks need more niacin than chickens or their legs could get stiff. Someone recommended adding brewers yeast as an addition to chicken food for ducks so that they can get niacin if they start having leg problems.

 

[Bunty144]

Hello,
I have a 6 month old male Peking Duck that stopped walking suddenly 3 days ago and was flapping his wings and falling backwards. From doing research, I believe it’s from botulism so I gave him Epsom salt flushes for the first 2 days in addition to giving him electrolytes and vitamins. He’s now eating and drinking on his own but is still unable to walk. When I put him in his pool, his feet drag in the bottom as if he has no feel. He is able to wiggle his tail. My questions are assuming it is botulism, how long before he gains feel and control of his legs again? Also, any other ailments that would cause such symptoms? Really appreciate any feedback.

I've had three or four chickens who have had a sort of paralysis. (Normally quite young birds). I've tried everything I knew, but they all succumbed eventually. But just recently I had another little one showing the weird gait and difficulty balancing. It suddenly occurred to me that it could be a mineral deficiency, so I started giving her saturated Himalayan Salt solution with her food - and lo and behold, she's totally well again.

 

[Eggcessive]

Give B complex vitamins ground onto food or chick vitamins containing niacin and riboflavin given orally. PolyVisol without iron is also good to use. Botulism usually moves up the spinal cord from feet and legs to wings and neck causing flaccid paralysis, causing suffocation within hours. Feathers may be easily pulled out with botulism. Hopefully, you will see improvement soon with the vitamins.

 

[gsirois13]

Thank you for the advice! I’m happy to report that my duck is now walking. At first, I did an Epsom salt flush for the first 2 days, and also provided water with electrolytes and vitamins (including niacin). I had to syringe the fluids for the first 48 hours. I kept him confined in a kiddie pool with shavings for about 3 weeks until he gained his balance and strenght back. He is now happily walking around and eating/drinking on his own. Still not 100% in terms of balance but I would say he’s at 85% back to normal.