Niacin deficiency?

[NewAtThis8]

So I actually think he may have bumblefoot. His symptoms scream niacin deficiency but the same foot he’s limping on, is not swollen or hot, but does have what looks like a tiny cigarette burn on the bottom of it. It wouldn’t rub off in the pool, and may explain why he isn’t getting better (but worse) with extra niacin supplementation. We have a vet appointment today at 5!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can You post some good pictures of the bottom of his foot?

 

[NewAtThis8]

Can You post some good pictures of the bottom of his foot?

I’m going to try to get one after his soak today- it’s hard with just one person because he’s so squirmy! But, the vet saw a little scab and swollen joint so he has a little bumble. He said it shouldn’t be making him as painful as he is, but he could be sensitive? In terms of photos I’ve seen of bumblefoot it doesn’t look nearly as bad as them. So we got sent home with an anti inflammatory and foot soak (chlorhexiderm). We’ll go back in a week to make sure it’s going away and he’s feeling better. Also added back allllll the niacin. Last night I also realized I switched them from Purina duck pellets to Kalmbach duck and goose pellets because I didn’t like Purinas reputation. Well, Kalmbach has 20mg less niacin per serving than Purina (45 vs 65!) so perhaps it’s been a host of things contributing to my poor Stan’s condition.

 

[NewAtThis8]

He didn’t say anything about wrapping the foot though… should I wrap it to keep dirt off of it?

 

[Miss Lydia]

If the scab is not pulled back yet I don't see any reason to wrap unless you want to just keep it cleaner or maybe try a drawing salve or Epsom salt poultice then you should wrap.
Keep him on the niacin for sure better yet the liquid B Complex is much better at getting them over niacian deficiency. 1Ml over a yummy treat so your sure he is getting full dose.

 

[NewAtThis8]

Upon further inspection it appears they BOTH have what looks like very mild bumblefoot- the other duck (Heimlich) actually having more spots…. I’m trying to get a photo but it’s just me out here with them usually and it’s hard to even get a look at them myself let alone a photo. But they look like little brown spots and on Heimlich, they actually almost seem like hyperkeratosis like you’d see on a dogs paw or nose…. The vet said he suspected they’d have trouble with bumblefoot because of their breed and size, but I don’t know how to prevent it?? Daily foot soaks? Booties? I ordered booties- but would wearing them all the time cause issues also? Ugh, this is hard…. Also Stan is getting incrementally better. It’s not much improvement but it’s improvement. He’s still walking wonky but he isn’t falling over much anymore. He went into his coop two nights ago by himself (he’s needed help on the tiny ramp).

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I need to do anything to my ducks or chicken they get wrapped in a towel I place them on their backs with their butts facing away from me and I can work on their feet to me it’s the best way plus this way you can take pics too. they kinda remind me of a burrito when wrapped it keeps them still and their wings from flapping

 

[NewAtThis8]

When I need to do anything to my ducks or chicken they get wrapped in a towel I place them on their backs with their butts facing away from me and I can work on their feet to me it’s the best way plus this way you can take pics too. they kinda remind me of a burrito when wrapped it keeps them still and their wings from flapping

That worked! I think I was more stressed about putting him on his back than he was- I already burrito them in towels to carry them places if need be (in his case, to soak his feet outside of the run and all the chickens and other duck). Here’s his foot after 4 days of soaking 2x a day and anti inflammatory every 24 hours (today was day 4 for that also). It looks a LOT better so not sure if it looks like super mild bumble foot or something else- now of course he’s getting tiny baby steps better and I don’t know if it’s the added niacin or if it’s the foot treatment . His left foot is completely fine, nothing on it whatsoever except the thick part in the back (his heel??) is a little rough. Again, kind of like hyper keratosis. Heimlichs left and right foot have these same marks, but on a larger area of the foot. No swelling at all. He’s acting completely normal.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only in the first picture can I see something that looks like a small bumble. It maybe both of what your doing I would keep it up at least through this week and see how he is doing. If you can get a better picture of the bottom of the foot then we can say if it is for sure bumble and if anything else needs done with it.
I've had a few ducks over the year with Keratosis. and it never seem to bother them.

 

[Jenbirdee]

hi Im jumping in her late but I just read through all 3 pages and wanted to add my 2cents just regarding the liquid b complex, I have heard that adding it to water is not the way to go, either add it to a yummy treat (like Miss Lydia mentioned) or give directly orally by syringe (just make sure you research how to do it that way first so it doesnt go in their lungs accidently) I read that the niacin pills can go in the water though. (not flush free, not timed released)