HELP PLEASE ~ Duckling born with twisted leg

[Balluba03]

Hello, I'm new at the whole hatching chickens and duck thing, so please be gentle! lol

We had 2 ducklings hatch yesterday, August 27th. The first duckling is fine, walking alright, just a little tired. The 2nd duckling is a little larger with a "twisted" leg. The duckling, (We call him Legoless!) has his right leg extended behing him while sitting. I have yet to see him walk, but he does scooch around pretty well. He can get to the food and water by pushing with his good foot. The leg is extended behind him and also twisted to the right I believe, about 45 degrees. I'm going to try and post a few pics. What can I do to correct this? Is there a way I can make a type of splint or something, that would help the leg grow and correct this? Thanks for any help, it is WELL appreciated!

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I have a special needs duck, who by chance laid her 1st age. She was born with a birth defect, her left foot was born in the up position as if a regular duck is holding it's foot up, not straight out behind them, kind of like a flamingo. She gets around awesome and can move, the vet said if she were to have a birth defect this was the best one she could have gotten, yours doesn't sound very promising a lot of problems ahead of it. I'm looking forward to pictures of this brave soul. I'd post mine but I'm not sure how to do it yet. I did upload a picture and thought it would come here.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I guess I would take it to an exotic vet and see what they can do, most likely they'll suggest a very expensive surgery to amputate or have it PTS sadly :-( He/she will get a lot of sore dragging it around and get infections which will cause it to become sick.

 

[mrslb333]

Could it be dislocated? You could try a splint I'm not sure on the best way to make on maybe an ice lolly stick or similar strapped on with some tape to position it correctly. I would also add some vitamins to it's water to help keep its strength. Sorry I can't be any more help. I hope someone comes up with the solution.
Congratulations on your new babies though

 

[Balluba03]

When I try and get the little guy to stand up, by holding his belly and letting him support himself, the leg touches the ground, but the foot is spun around and almost facing backwards. The top of the foot is still facing up, but the foot is turned about 150 degrees. I cant constantly hold the little guy, but it seems to me like if I can get his leg to bend underneath him, he could start to try and stand on it. I've seen and heard of people using bandaids and such as a splint/sling to try and straiten legs and feet out. The leg doesnt seem to hurt him, even when I place the leg where and how it should be, but he just doesnt hold it there. I think he just needs some support, but Im not sure how to do it! Thanks

 

[Balluba03]

what kind of vitamins should I add to the water. I have heard of this helping.

 

[katharinad]

I had ducklings born with twisted legs. They are usually twisted inwards from being stuck in the egg. I give them vitamin water with electrolytes, probiotics and niacin. They are usually up and running normally within 3 days. Yours sounds more extreme, so I'm not sure if it will work. You can either buy a product ready to use or go to Walmart and buy everything you need and mix it up yourself. Here is the Walmart solution:
Get a bottle of pedialyte without iron from the baby department, niacin tablets or other form (not extended release), one small cup of plain yogurt. Dosage for the niacin is 100mg for one gallon of Pedialyte. Yogurt is best to get the Greek style, because it contains a variety of beneficial bacteria. Give the niacin Pedialyte mix as drinking water to all birds 24 hours, its good for them. Store unused stuff in the fridge. You can warm it a little bit in the microwave before giving it to them. Check the temp with your finger first. Also make a food mash with that water. Add a some yogurt to the mash. There is no real rule on how much, but the bacteria helps their digestive system going and boosts their energy level. Small amounts are sufficient.

Now lets think what we can do with the position of the foot. Does it move in the normal position? It yes, then leave it for a few days and see what happens. It may be just stiff from being in the wrong location in the egg. After that you can always use some plastic straws or aquarium air tubing and vet wrap to get it into normal position. Baby duck bones set fast and a bandage for 3 days will most likely do. Ideally you would see an avian vet and have him set the leg into the right position. The vet is best especially when it is dislocated. They can set it, and teach you how to wrap it for a few day. Most vets will just charge you a visitation fee for doing this. That excludes x-rays, which you most likely don't even need.

 

[CPW Chicks]

I have only had one duck she "Mussie" was brought to the shelter that I work at. She was a 2 week old muscovy. Someone had found her on the side of the road w/ the same type of injury. We took her to the vet who said she had a broken leg . It was casted up and on for over a month . Boy did the whole family fall in love w/ her. I took her to the vet and got the cast of he said the brake had healed and she would just need so special rehab to get used to using the leg. Well the leg did not ever get better it was always splayed out to the side and yes she could get around pushing w/ the other leg, but she could never stand up which as she got older and bigger was a problem keeping her clean from feces. It was a very hard decision to make because we had cared for her so much, but we had her put down. There was not much quality of life for a duck who was not able to care for herself. I just wish that the original owner would of had the respect for her and put her down themselves instead of leaving her on the side of a road. I don't know if this helps you or not I just wanted to share my experience.

 

[duckyfromoz]

It could be dislocated form the hip - as in the photo the hock looks ok to me. I have some disabled ducks and have to agree with CPW Chicks - quality of life is a big issue when deciding what to do for a deformed baby. Care for a disabled duck can be very time consuming but also very rewarding. If you have the finances and the time- then I would suggest taking this little one to a vet to see just what can be done- give it a chance over time with some treatment- but be prepared for a time when a decision may need to be made.

 

[Balluba03]

I went to check on the little guy a few minutes ago, and his leg seems to be getting better. The foot has started to turn back to the normal position, and now when I help him stand, he is using the foot flat on the ground; where as before, he would be on his tippie toes! I really dont think his leg is dislocated, and he doesnt cry/peep when I touch and move it. I'm going to try this method for tonight to see if I can pull it back to where it belongs. I'll let you all know how that works out tomorrow! Thanks for all your help and support!
http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html