Yesterday, at U.C. Davis, I lost my beloved Pekin male, Piotr, because over a year or more ago he fell and since then his left leg deteriorated badly. He has been on pain medication for several months now, and yesterday I took him to U.C. Davis to the small animal clinic, and was seen by a wonderful doctor and a senior vet resident. Ultimately the doctor recommended that it was time to let Piotr go. I sat with him on a warm blanket while he splashed in a bowl of water, ate greens and grapes, and...finally I held him in my arms while they administered the dose that stopped his heart. My heart today feels broken, and his mate Peaches is all alone. PLEASE be careful of your ducks and don't let them fall down even a few stairs, try to protect their legs as their body weight at the best of times is a lot for their legs to carry. I raised Piotr from a two-day-old duckling and he would have been 7 years old in April. I have lost a beloved pet and I only hope that anyone with ducks who reads this post will protect their ducks legs and love their ducks as I loved my Piotr!
