Pekin can't walk

[HeritageGoose13]

If his bones are weak try giving him oyster shell. It's sold at farm stores.

 

[shellymccreary]

Yes I will get some tomorrow

 

[I Love Layers]

He could have a broken or twisted ankle, I have a Pekin Duck that when she was a month old she twisted or broke her ankle after getting it caught in a feeder. She wasn't able to walk for a week and a half, and now she has a slight limp.

 

[Amiga]

I might check with the vet - calcium is an important mineral - I think it can be overdone. I wonder if there is a chart recommending calcium supplements (I just dissolve calcium citrate tablets and give my laying ducks 50 to 80 mg most days in their food).

There is some concern about not giving too much calcium to non-laying ducks. At the same time, this little one clearly could use some support . . . . mmmmm, mmmm sometimes these things are not entirely straightforward, at least at first.

 

[shellymccreary]

The vet took xrays and she didn't say anything about it being broken, I looked at the xrays but didn't notice anything myself.

 

[shellymccreary]

I am game to try anything at this point. I think the calcium is a good idea. She showed me the top leg bones looked weak in the xray. The vet thinks he has pituitary issue that made him grow so fast. She wants to try dopamine like in adults but I am fearful of that.

 

[Amiga]

I understand being hesitant about dopamine. Hormone stuff gets tricky. I think the calcium is good. I am not a vet, though.

 

[Amiga]

I checked in with a friend who raises Pekins - her feeling is that likely, it's just you have a fast growing giant Pekin. And this kind of problem can occur during those growth spurts.

Lots of time (safely, under supervision till he's clearly fully feathered and able to be in the water by himself) in water, floating, to get weight off the legs, and the best nutrition you can give him. She has not had good experience with some brands like Dumor or TSC brands. ( I am not here to debate with anyone, I am passing along a person's opinions and experience.)

So, adding poultry vitamins once a week, lots of swim time, and TLC will probably get him through this. That is my feeling.

And I would also make sure he has a ramp into and out of the swim pool, and does not have to go up steep inclines or hop down from anything.