Pekin can't walk

[shellymccreary]

I have a male and female pekin approximately 2 1/2 months old. My male is twice her size. He is having trouble walking and I usually have to carry him to the pool. I have him on vitamins and electrolytes thinking it could be a niacin issue. I took him to a vet an she thinks it could possibly me acromegaly which is giantism since he is growing so fast and large. Does anybody have any experience with this issue that could give me some feedback?

 

[Amiga]

I have not had experience, I hope someone can give you some specific help. My thought would be to let him swim in lukewarm water daily, to get the weight off of his legs, and build up strength and improve circulation.

Pekins often have leg problems, and they do grow so quickly!

 

[shellymccreary]

Thanks he loves swimming.

 

[Kevin565]

What dosage of Niacin are you using?

 

[shellymccreary]

I am using a vitamin pack from our local farm store. it has 2500 niacin along with a dozen or more other vitamins. I only give one tsp. per gallon water. It breaks down to about 150 mg.

 

[shellymccreary]

Does anybody have any suggestions? I don't know of any avian vets in my area. I took him to our local vet.

 

[Amiga]

Thinking - thinking - let me look in the Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook. . . .

Best thing I can find so far is as much time as possible in lukewarm water deep enough to float in, to take the weight off the legs, increase circulation and muscle tone.

You might also consider some time daily in a sling to get the weight off his legs a bit.

 

[shellymccreary]

Thanks so much. I gave him a lukewarm bath last evening and he loved it. I just wish I could give him a vitamin that could strengthen his poor legs.

 

[Amiga]

Could you give us more details? How much does he weigh, and a photo? I am looking more deeply into this - for all of us - and that would be very helpful.

One possibility is that we have an Aylesbury going through a serious growth spurt. Just my thought, I am not a vet.

 

[shellymccreary]

Here is 2 pics I took quick. The one has my shoe to show the size. I had him at the vet the other day and I do believe he was 6 lbs. I got him on March 28th and I think he was a week old when we got him. The female is half his size. He cant walk or stand unless he puts his wings out to support him. I had xrays done at the vet and she said he looks like he grew fast and big and his leg bones are weak. I have been giving him brewers yeast and a vitamin and electrolyte supplement as well.