Duckling with lame leg......NEED HELP!!!!!!!

[bellah1]

I have a duckling dilemma! I have three 4 week old Australian spotted ducklings, I was only going to keep the two girls but one of the boys got hurt a couple days before I sold them so I've kept him. They were all swimming in my sink and he got his foot stuck in the drain as my husband was taking them out. Before my husband could stop him, the duckling tried to yank his leg free, it ended up being inward when he walked, I thought it was a slipped tendon but that's not it. I wrapped it but its just getting worse. It's now behind him and still twisted inward and for some reason he tries to only use the bad one, always using it to scoot around. When I correct it and bend it at the hock, straiten it and wrap it so he has to use his good leg to get around then he actually hops around pretty well and stands for long periods instead of always laying down. His muscle tone is diminishing and its becoming more useless everyday, his feathers by the bad leg on his belly are rubbing off and that foot is getting two tiny sores from always using it to scoot. Sometimes he just moves his bad leg constantly for no reason like he can't control it.
Anyway I feel it probably should be amputated since its causing nothing but problems for him and he does so much better with just the one good leg.
I guess I have to take him to a vet but I don't know if I will find one who would amputate his leg and I don't even want to know how much its going to cost me.
Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone ever had a one legged duck or one with a lame or useless leg?

 

[bellah1]

Anyone have any advice?!!!!

 

[Haunted55]

I have a duckling dilemma! I have three 4 week old Australian spotted ducklings, I was only going to keep the two girls but one of the boys got hurt a couple days before I sold them so I've kept him. They were all swimming in my sink and he got his foot stuck in the drain as my husband was taking them out. Before my husband could stop him, the duckling tried to yank his leg free, it ended up being inward when he walked, I thought it was a slipped tendon but that's not it. I wrapped it but its just getting worse. It's now behind him and still twisted inward and for some reason he tries to only use the bad one, always using it to scoot around. When I correct it and bend it at the hock, straiten it and wrap it so he has to use his good leg to get around then he actually hops around pretty well and stands for long periods instead of always laying down. His muscle tone is diminishing and its becoming more useless everyday, his feathers by the bad leg on his belly are rubbing off and that foot is getting two tiny sores from always using it to scoot. Sometimes he just moves his bad leg constantly for no reason like he can't control it.
Anyway I feel it probably should be amputated since its causing nothing but problems for him and he does so much better with just the one good leg.
I guess I have to take him to a vet but I don't know if I will find one who would amputate his leg and I don't even want to know how much its going to cost me.
Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone ever had a one legged duck or one with a lame or useless leg?

I wouldn't even think about amputation. It's way too early yet. Question, do you give your ducks a niacin supplement? How long ago did this happen? Have you tried to 'work' the leg, gently? If the duck is getting sores from dragging the best thing you can do is wrap where the soreness is with guaze and then a once around with Vet wrap. Not too tight.

I have a Muscovy in my house right now that has problems with his leg. Sydney and I work with that leg and he is actually getting better at walking by himself. This has taken months and high doses of niacin and water therapy, plus me working with him to get the leg to stay under him where it should be. Dont give up yet.

 

[bellah1]

First, He injured himself in the sink drain while preening after a bath when he was only like a week old. I work his leg gently about 3x a day and he gets water therapy 2x a day plus I keep it unwrapped for an extra hour or so too. No more foot sores because he no longer uses his bad leg at all. It barely moves when he swims even but when it's not wrapped up he drags himself and was rubbing all of his belly feathers off and using his bill to scoot, so he has crazy big neck muscles! But now he is slowly learning he can hop on the good leg and gets around pretty well. That bad leg is kind of turning in the right direction from being wrapped in the correct position so its not completely behind him anymore but now it is inward and gets in the way of his good leg so he always falls and can't hop unless its wrapped. I'm working on it and he's very happy I know if it stays just useless and in the way I will have it amputated when he gets older but if he can use it or I can correct it enough to not be a hindrance to his good leg I won't. Thanks for all the help and advice I really appreciate it. I will keep you updated

*****Also does anyone who has had a duckling with a lame leg notice a size and developmental difference from their normal clutch mates? My lil guy is about a 1/3 the size of his sisters and they are almost fully feathered with their juvey feathers and he is just now getting tiny patches of his juvey feathers in the last couple days. He is healthy for his size and eats like a pig but he expends so much more energy than the others just getting around and he is just the happiest lil duckling so I know I'm doing something right.******

 

[Haunted55]

First, He injured himself in the sink drain while preening after a bath when he was only like a week old. I work his leg gently about 3x a day and he gets water therapy 2x a day plus I keep it unwrapped for an extra hour or so too. No more foot sores because he no longer uses his bad leg at all. It barely moves when he swims even but when it's not wrapped up he drags himself and was rubbing all of his belly feathers off and using his bill to scoot, so he has crazy big neck muscles! But now he is slowly learning he can hop on the good leg and gets around pretty well. That bad leg is kind of turning in the right direction from being wrapped in the correct position so its not completely behind him anymore but now it is inward and gets in the way of his good leg so he always falls and can't hop unless its wrapped. I'm working on it and he's very happy I know if it stays just useless and in the way I will have it amputated when he gets older but if he can use it or I can correct it enough to not be a hindrance to his good leg I won't. Thanks for all the help and advice I really appreciate it. I will keep you updated

*****Also does anyone who has had a duckling with a lame leg notice a size and developmental difference from their normal clutch mates? My lil guy is about a 1/3 the size of his sisters and they are almost fully feathered with their juvey feathers and he is just now getting tiny patches of his juvey feathers in the last couple days. He is healthy for his size and eats like a pig but he expends so much more energy than the others just getting around and he is just the happiest lil duckling so I know I'm doing something right.******

This may have something to do with a genetic thing. He is expending a lot of energy on getting around and it may be that the body is just using it up quicker. You could try a poultry vitamin along with the niacin. it may be the oomph he needs to take the next step so's to speak.

 

[bellah1]

UPDATE*** my lil duckling is doing amazing! He is full grown now and finally getting his green head, he uses both feet to walk now too! He looks like one of those antique duck toys that you pull along behind you with a string & the rubber feet. Soooo cute