My duck has wobbly legs is thirsty and tired.

[2Badassducks]

I have a 4 yr old male duck. Lately he has developed a slight limp, he's always thirsty and has a huge appetite. Tonight I noticed his vision is not so great. His poop is extremely watery, but I am chalking that up to the large amount of water he drinks. Plus at the end of the day he will fall asleep in my arms. He is mainly a house ducks, but does forage or play in the lake for a few hours a day.

 

[Amiga]

I am concerned he has an infection or metal poisoning. Can you get him to a vet?

What is his feed?

 

[2Badassducks]

@Amiga Thank you so much for reading this! it is long. I want to take him to a vet, but I'm fearful they won't hear me out.

He's eating dog kibble, I know that is horrible, but he and his brother have been eating it for 3 years. 24% protein. They were also sharing a bit of cheese in the morning. and he eats Spring Mix salad and minnows. Plus whatever they forage.
Here is all of the things I notice
If he tries to scratch his head with his foot, he wobbles a bit. He loses his balance coming up the stairs and has fallen over. The weird thing is he refuses to use his wings for balance.
He LOVES his water bowl, runs to it first thing in the am and sits by it drinking.
He used to run around with the dog and now, makes little effort to do that, so it makes me think his legs hurt.
He has a slight limp, but after eating a bunch of greens last night, he looked good today.
VERY water poop, I've looked at it, it's clear with bits of green grass (looks like parsley). But again, he drinks a lot of water.
Currently (it's 4pm here) he's swimming in the lake with his brother. they will usually come up and forage in the lawn and then come upstairs.
He gets tired easily and will sit down to forage.
I'm going to try Brewers Yeast tomorrow and then set up an appointment if that doesn't work.

This has been going on for about 6 weeks, but I'm now really paying attention to him.

 

[2Badassducks]

@Amiga Thank you so much for reading this! it is long. I want to take him to a vet, but I'm fearful they won't hear me out.

He's eating dog kibble, I know that is horrible, but he and his brother have been eating it for 3 years. 24% protein. They were also sharing a bit of cheese in the morning. and he eats Spring Mix salad and minnows. Plus whatever they forage.
Here is all of the things I notice
If he tries to scratch his head with his foot, he wobbles a bit. He loses his balance coming up the stairs and has fallen over. The weird thing is he refuses to use his wings for balance.
He LOVES his water bowl, runs to it first thing in the am and sits by it drinking.
He used to run around with the dog and now, makes little effort to do that, so it makes me think his legs hurt.
He has a slight limp, but after eating a bunch of greens last night, he looked good today.
VERY water poop, I've looked at it, it's clear with bits of green grass (looks like parsley). But again, he drinks a lot of water.
Currently (it's 4pm here) he's swimming in the lake with his brother. they will usually come up and forage in the lawn and then come upstairs.
He gets tired easily and will sit down to forage.
I'm going to try Brewers Yeast tomorrow and then set up an appointment if that doesn't work.

This has been going on for about 6 weeks, but I'm now really paying attention to him.

 

[Amiga]

I am not a vet, but I think there is a possibility he's having kidney troubles. Can you cut down the amount of protein? Actually, technically I know you can... Try cooking some sweet potatoes, letting them cool, and offering that.

See if you can get him to eat a moistened, even fermented (instructions can be found on BYC) poultry feed.

 

[2Badassducks]

@Amiga I am making an appointment for him tomorrow. The biggest thing I am noticing is his balance. I read up on some similar threads on here and somebody suggested an ear infection. Which could explain why he wants to scratch his head so much and loses his balance. The worry wort in me just checked out the symptoms for aspergillosis, but I think they would both have symptoms (?) I am definitely changing their food to waterfowl food this week and have just greens in their bowl now. Thank you so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it! The one is question is the gray one in the forefront & his but in the air.

 

[Amiga]

Ear infection is a possibility, yes. Glad you can have them looked at.

Sometimes more than one thing is going on, too...

 

[2Badassducks]

Yes, I really think the too high protein diet for so many years is not good. Thanks so much for your help!