Muscovy drake can’t walk

[MelonieL]

I have a 12 week old Muscovy drake. About 5 days ago I noticed that he seemed unsteady on his feet. He seemed to be tilting backwards and sitting down a lot more than usual (he looked a little drunk). Then two nights ago my husband went to put all the ducks in for the evening and the drake was just sitting outside the coop and wouldn't go in. My husband didn't think much of it, and just put him inside for the night. In the morning I realized that he could no longer walk. He can scoot around on his belly using his chest and wings, but he can no longer support himself on his legs. He's eating and drinking fine, and he’s alert and still wants to be with his flock all the time. I checked him over for injuries and noticed two weird areas near his tail on either side of his spine where the skin is discolored and there are no feathers. I uploaded a picture. There's a little bit of white hardened material near the area, but it’s not bleeding and it doesn't look like his skin is broken. Any idea what might be wrong with him?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I checked him over for injuries and noticed two weird areas near his tail on either side of his spine where the skin is discolored and there are no feathers.

Welcome To BYC

Looks like a wound or injury, if the area is on both sides of the body, then likely a dog, fox or coyote got a hold of him.

Clean the wounds with saline or chlorhexidine, apply triple antibiotic ointment to the wounds.

Could be the injury has affected the nerves of the spine and he's currently unable to walk but may regain the ability in time once he's healed. Possible he may never regain mobility, a lot depends on the damage he suffered.

 

[MelonieL]

Thank you for your response. I will do that and hope he recovers.