Duckling with bowed legs

[ssholder0]

Hello,
I have a 5-6 week old duckling that we rescued and he has severe bowed legs. He is now having trouble walking and he lays down often. I have recently started giving him brewers yeast on his food, but I’m not sure how much he is getting because of the other duckling living with him. I have been letting him swim twice a day for 10-15 minutes. We haven’t been able to let them outside to forge because it is to cold outside. I just purchased liquid b-12 plus vitamin k and I am not sure how much to give him. I absolutely love my duckling and I would appreciate any advice on how to help him. Thanks in advance! (P.S. I am posting a picture of the liquid b-12 I purchased.)

 

[sourland]

@Miss Lydia or @casportpony any ideas on oral dosing ? Hopefully they will respond. I would suggest feeding him by himself to assure that he gets adequate brewers yeast.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What you want is liquid B complex if you are close to TSC they carry it the brand is Durvet ,vitamin B12 isn’t going to help by it self he needs the whole set of b vitamins especially the Niacin in this complex. It will say injectable but we take the foil off and use a dropper or syringe with out a needle to pull out what we need 1ml daily. If you haven’t opened that b12 take it back and don’t let the employees talk you into any thing other than the liquid BComplex. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[ssholder0]

Okay, thank you! I will go to TSC and get the liquid B complex. (They have one for cattle is that okay?) Should I try to splint his legs? I’m just very worried about him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes that’s the one you want. Can you post a pic of him standing face forward so we can see how bad his legs are bowed? Is he able to walk at all. Saying the Liquid B complex
can help strengthen his legs but they maybe bowed for his life since he’s 5-6 weeks old but we’ve seen Some pretty amazing things from the this liquid b complex so don’t give up. What breed? Water therapy is really good for them too, warm water.

 

[ssholder0]

He can walk a little bit, but is very unbalanced. I’m adding two pictures of how he stands to this post! Should I take him to the vets?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are his hocks swollen? You can take him to a vet I am not sure what they can do for him but if you feel better doing that then please do. But get him started on this B complex ASAP it’s very important for those legs. Does he have a fav treat he likes put the B complex over it. Is this duckling a Pekin? @Isaac 0 do you think splinting would help with this ducklings legs?

 

[ssholder0]

Yes his hocks are swollen. I will buy the vitamin b complex tomorrow and give it to him! He enjoys mealworms. Should I give him chick grit if I give him the vitamin b on mealworms? And yes he is a a Pekin.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Put a small bowl of chick grit close to his feed bowl he’ll use it as he needs it.dont put it in his feed. They know when they need it. How does he do in water?

 

[ssholder0]

Okay, I can do that! He does fine in the water, he swims and plays for a little bit. He starts to get nervous when he swims though.