Not working for Spraddle leg.

[tia]

My runner is all feathered out and having leg and balance issues. I posted on here before. I've tried the apple cider vinegar, vitamins and electrolytes and vet wrapped her legs. She gets around like that but lays down most of the time. I've been letting her swim in warm water once a day. Today I brought the kiddie pool inside and filled it with shaving... thought more room may get her up and moving more. She walks a little and then lays down, If I take the tape off her legs they go out to the sides. They have been taped now for a couple weeks or more. Does anyone have any suggestions. I have the vet tape up above her leg joint. I don't know what else to do. Besides that she seems happy and healthy.

 

[tia]

Maybe there is not enough niacin in the vitamins. I found some 50 mg. tablets. Maybe I can crush them up. How much should I give?

 

[nurse_turtle]

I think the shavings on a plastic pool flooring is too slippery. Consider using the spongy shelf liner stuff as a floor so she has better traction for a while. You can get it at the $1 store.

 

[70%cocoa]

Yes, I would provide extra niacin. That is a good idea. What kind of vitamins are you giving and are they old or ones you recently bought?

Do a search online for slipped tendon. I don't know if that has been ruled out as a problem but if it hasn't been then it's worth investigating.

 

[tia]

Durvet Vitamins and Electrolytes. It is a powder and you mix it up. I bought it last year, but just opened the package this spring.

I did take her to the vet who doesn't know a lot about birds. She looked at the legs, but didn't say anything. I think they looked okay. I will do a search. Her legs are kind of skinny. I'm worried that she isn't getting enough exercise. We only have one vet in town that knows anything about birds. I will change to towels and the rubber shelf stuff and see if that helps. I will grind up the 50 mg of niacin and sprinkle it on her food every day. I hope that isn't too much. I won't put the whole 50 mg. on there, but some of it.

 

[Amiga]

The Storey's Guide recommendation is 100 to 150 mg niacin per gallon of water for dosage, if that helps.

I feel the swimming can help build her up, but agree that it could be slipped tendon. I don't have direct experience with this. She may be a special needs duck who does not get around quite the same as others.

Hugs to you for taking good care of her!

 

[tia]

Thank you for the help... I appreciate all of the suggestions.

 

[tia]

Trying some niacin tablets crushed up in the water. (doesn't dissolve very well) Changed the bedding to rubber shelf stuff with a towel on top of that. Hopefully that will help.