Duckling with mismatched legs

[hfchristy]

I have a duckling that has been having trouble walking and I was thinking spraddle leg. Okay, hoping that anyway.
Brought this little guy inside to recover from trampling.
When I went to hobble him, though, I noticed that his legs looked very different from each other, but I'm not sure which is even normal. Is one of them swollen? Or is the other one stunted or atrophied?
And is there anything to be done for it?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Definitely something going on there. will the one foot lay flat out? you can fashion a shoe to help with keeping the foot flat. Are both leg same length? It's really hard to see what is going on with the one leg.

 

[hfchristy]

I can flatten the feet out, but the duckling doesnt spread out either one voluntarily.
I'm not sure which leg you're talking about when you say "the one". Do you think the bad leg is the scrawny one or the thick one? Should I make shoes for both?

 

[KaleIAm]

The duckling's left leg looks swollen to me. I'm sorry your little one is having problems.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It looks like it's swollen which could be from the trampling, but also niacin deficiency. If you haven't already I would pick up some DurVet B complex and get your duckling started on it right away.

 

[hfchristy]

I've been putting nutri-drench in its water. Niacin is on the ingredient list, but doesn't say how much. Leg issues weren't on my radar yesterday. Wasn't sure it would even make it long enough to worry about that!
I do have the b-complex and put a little bit in the water now, but I don't remember how much to use.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is give info on doses by age.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[Miss Lydia]

To make shoes cut a plastic container the size of the ducklings foot wrap in somekind of tape to cover the sharp edges then place each foot on the plastic shoe wrap with vet wrap [go up above the ankle] to keep the shoe on. This will get him walking on flat feet.

 

[hfchristy]

Any clue where I could find a video of someone putting orthotics on their duckling? This is so ridiculously tiny.
Splint lasted 10 seconds. Maybe.

 

[Quatie]

Since the leg is swollen, you may want to check if it has a slipped tendon. Slipped tendon will cause the leg to swell. Usually the hold the leg up a bit. But you will fell the tendon on one side or the other of the hock joint if it is a slipped tendon. It may not be a slipped tendon, but that is one injury that has to be corrected immediately if it is. So it is good to just make sure.