How to help my stubborn drake heal

[Miss Lydia]

Ouch!! What other foods are you thinking of besides spinach?

 

[arrowti]

Because he's a picky boy it has to look like lettuce or cracked corn, the only two treats he'll touch... so there is also kale and collard greens which are high in Vit A but they're harder to find around here. I could try winter squash, if the hens touch it first he might consider eating it.

I'm reading that cayenne pepper, paprika and chili powder are also high in A though, which may be an easier choice for a picky duck.

At least I won't have to worry about him eating things he isn't supposed to.

 

[arrowti]

I've been adding cayenne pepper to the water. I wonder why it doesn't burn their eyes at all. Today I got some new B Complex (tablets) and spent an absurd amount of time smashing it with everything from a block of wood to the a mortar and pestle trying to grind it down into powder... it barely made a crack.

Eventually I dropped it in some water in hopes it'll soften up. What I didn't realize when people said B complex was water soluble (I assumed the powdered form would dissolve in water) was that the pill itself would dissolve completely!

I made sure to put the bucket of water with the dissolved pill and cayenne right in front of him so I was sure he drank some. He was moving better this morning, and has a massive appetite lately.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You can't find the B complex in liquid?

Glad to hear he is eating better and moving better today.

 

[arrowti]

I checked the store I work at, Hannaford, Knights, Tractor Supply, and a few other places. No liquid.

Fortunately my work sells the B-complex tablets, 30 day, for a buck. Hard to beat that, really.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Boy that's for sure. Just wanted to make it easier for ya. TSC has it in the cattle section if they carry it.

 

[arrowti]

I have good news in that his knee isn't hot. It feels normal temperature along with the rest of his leg/foot. It's still swollen but he's definitely able to put more weight on it. Run-flapping forward as fast as he can go so I can't grab him.

Is B-complex something that should only be used temporarily? I know the initial course was for a week. Should I switch to a steady source of brewer's yeast after a week?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’d keep him on it another week if your seeing improvement. Maybe another week will bring more, what b complex his body can’t use he’ll pee out. That’s great news!!

 

[arrowti]

Poor Opie's right leg is starting to bow out like the left. The knee isn't hot still, and maybe it's more that he's holding it that way because it hurts. It's hard to tell, really. I'm not even sure I'd be able to splint it with the size of his knee. It would be near impossible to get it straight since the knee is so much wider than the leg itself.

He's been a glutton lately, loading up on food. He stuffs himself every night when he goes in, and every morning before he comes out, and I give him his own special scoop during the day as well. His eyes are looking great, though.

And despite his legs he's able to walk, and even 'run' slightly if he uses his wings as balance. He's finding it much easier to get his leg under him when standing and doesn't get it stuck 'on top' of his wing. I'm just not sure if his outcome will be good. What if he reaches a state in which he won't be able to walk at all? I mean, I guess I know what will happen then, but what if I can't 'prevent' that from happening?

He's playing in the pool right now. I'll try to get a picture of his legs later.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It doesn’t sound too good for him especially since your moving away and others will be caring for him and most likely not in the same dedicated way you are . Swelling means something serious is going on and only a vet can tell you exactly what and give an anti inflamatory to help with inflammation etc. pain meds also. Pleas do post a pic of his knee area and how he is standing. I am thinking he has to be in pain.