Help needed. Duck paralyzed legs

[Stipenvlerk]

Dear all, I’ve got a rescue duck brought to me with paralyzed legs.
Toes still curl around my finger.
he makes sound, uses wings, no nasal or eye discharge, no poop or eating/drinking yet.

feathers look a bit ruffled but no clear swollen feet or something.

what can this be? It’s spring where I live, not hot. And his two mates who were there as well are looking fine.

I’m scared to walk to my own ducks just in case it’s something contagious

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

It might just need vitamins, it's a good place to start anyways.
Do you have a can of tuna fish or sardines or cat food you can give him while you get some vitamins?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

@Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a beautiful duck. Any chance of a vet visit? When working with your own ducks make sure you wash hands and use different shoes and even clothes to not contaminate.

The duck doesn't look sick, possibly a niacin deficiency, do you know how long the duck has been like this? If you can get some liquid B complex that would be a start on ruling out niacin def. Or pill form crushed over feed. He needs at least 1ml of b complex a day, we have found it works best at getting them back up when they have lameness. Putting him in warm water so he can float can give you an idea if he can move his legs and it also helps to keep muscles from getting weak, water therapy is what we call it. Bless you for taking him in he sure wouldn’t last long outside not being able to walk. Please keep us updated.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

It might just need vitamins, it's a good place to start anyways.
Do you have a can of tuna fish or sardines or cat food you can give him while you get some vitamins?

I have haring. Thank you for your advice

 

[Stipenvlerk]

What a beautiful duck. Any chance of a vet visit? When working with your own ducks make sure you wash hands and use different shoes and even clothes to not contaminate.

The duck doesn't look sick, possibly a niacin deficiency, do you know how long the duck has been like this? If you can get some liquid B complex that would be a start on ruling out niacin def. Or pill form crushed over feed. He needs at least 1ml of b complex a day, we have found it works best at getting them back up when they have lameness. Putting him in warm water so he can float can give you an idea if he can move his legs and it also helps to keep muscles from getting weak, water therapy is what we call it. Bless you for taking him in he sure wouldn’t last long outside not being able to walk. Please keep us updated.

Yes it is a very beautiful drake. Because of my fear for something contagious I did not give him a warm bath yet as it has to happen in my own bathroom and I do have other ducks to take care for. I don’t have liquid vitamin B but do have multivitamins

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I don't think ducks get Marek's disease? There is no reason to think it has a disease, so you should be fine giving a bath.
One of two things are probably wrong: a vitamin deficiency or an injury.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What's the niacin content in the vitamins @Stipenvlerk

@BirdsBeesTrees is right ducks are hardy and looking at this one He looks healthy, so it may be an injury or a deficiency.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

What's the niacin content in the vitamins @Stipenvlerk

@BirdsBeesTrees is right ducks are hardy and looking at this one He looks healthy, so it may be an injury or a deficiency.

@BirdsBeesTrees

I was thinking avian flu kind of thing to be afraid of.
Later I gave him a bath, and food which he didn’t want to eat. He pooped and that looked normal too.
Later in the evening his owner was located due to detective work of the local bridgeman.
She had lost him for more than a day already. And she will take him to the vet today.
At home he started eating right away. Although he still can’t walk.
Will keep you updated!

 

[Stipenvlerk]

What's the niacin content in the vitamins @Stipenvlerk

@BirdsBeesTrees is right ducks are hardy and looking at this one He looks healthy, so it may be an injury or a deficiency.

40000 mg/l (milligrams per liter)