LaceyinGeorgia
Hatching
- Mar 22, 2017
- 5
- 1
- 9
Hi everyone!
I'm new to posting at BYC, though I've stalked this site for a year or so. I need your help.
I have a 10.5 month old Saxony female that has recently gone lame. About two weeks ago, she was fine when I let her and my three other ducks (two saxonys and a pekin) out to forage. When I checked on them about 30 minutes later, she was laying down and couldn't bear weight on her legs. Even though she's no longer a duckling, I suspected a niacin deficiency and added some to their water. The next day, I gave her a very small amount in a blueberry. She stayed somewhat lame for the next 2-3 days, but then got better. She could wander around the yard and walk much better - as long as she didn't run. When she ran, her legs would give out again. That lasted for three days. Then Wednesday of last week (a week ago today), she suddenly was unable to walk again. Her legs don't crumble underneath her. It's more like her joints at the hip are incredibly stiff. She can stand. When she tries to walk, though, she falls forward and lands on her chest with her legs behind her. She can move them to put them back underneath her.
Additionally, she stopped swallowing food - even her favorite blueberries, peas, grapes... - but would drink like normal. She would also have her bill open a good bit and occasionally shook her head. Even though I know they're rare, that seemed like gape worms to me (which will also cause lameness, right?), so I gave her a very small amount (less than .10 milligram) of Invermectin pour on wormer. I put it on her skin between her "shoulders" at the base of her neck. That was on Saturday - so four days ago. She did eat some berries and grapes last night and today, but she still can't walk, and her little legs seem so stiff when she tries to. She can take a few small steps at a time, but after three or four, if she doesn't lay down on her own, she falls down. I do try to get her from the house at least for 30 minutes or so each day and put her in their pool so she can get a little exercise without putting weight on her legs.
I've added a small amount (1/4 teaspoon per gallon) of high performance poultry pak to their water for the past week or so as well.
Any ideas on how I can help my sweet girl? I don't want to think of putting her down, but I'm be suffering. Outside of the very stiff legs and swallowing issues (that may be getting better - I hope!), she seems ok. She whimpers some when the other ducks are out doing their thing in the yard and the pool, so I'm afraid that she's in a lot of pain, too.
Thank you in advance!
I'm new to posting at BYC, though I've stalked this site for a year or so. I need your help.
I have a 10.5 month old Saxony female that has recently gone lame. About two weeks ago, she was fine when I let her and my three other ducks (two saxonys and a pekin) out to forage. When I checked on them about 30 minutes later, she was laying down and couldn't bear weight on her legs. Even though she's no longer a duckling, I suspected a niacin deficiency and added some to their water. The next day, I gave her a very small amount in a blueberry. She stayed somewhat lame for the next 2-3 days, but then got better. She could wander around the yard and walk much better - as long as she didn't run. When she ran, her legs would give out again. That lasted for three days. Then Wednesday of last week (a week ago today), she suddenly was unable to walk again. Her legs don't crumble underneath her. It's more like her joints at the hip are incredibly stiff. She can stand. When she tries to walk, though, she falls forward and lands on her chest with her legs behind her. She can move them to put them back underneath her.
Additionally, she stopped swallowing food - even her favorite blueberries, peas, grapes... - but would drink like normal. She would also have her bill open a good bit and occasionally shook her head. Even though I know they're rare, that seemed like gape worms to me (which will also cause lameness, right?), so I gave her a very small amount (less than .10 milligram) of Invermectin pour on wormer. I put it on her skin between her "shoulders" at the base of her neck. That was on Saturday - so four days ago. She did eat some berries and grapes last night and today, but she still can't walk, and her little legs seem so stiff when she tries to. She can take a few small steps at a time, but after three or four, if she doesn't lay down on her own, she falls down. I do try to get her from the house at least for 30 minutes or so each day and put her in their pool so she can get a little exercise without putting weight on her legs.
I've added a small amount (1/4 teaspoon per gallon) of high performance poultry pak to their water for the past week or so as well.
Any ideas on how I can help my sweet girl? I don't want to think of putting her down, but I'm be suffering. Outside of the very stiff legs and swallowing issues (that may be getting better - I hope!), she seems ok. She whimpers some when the other ducks are out doing their thing in the yard and the pool, so I'm afraid that she's in a lot of pain, too.
Thank you in advance!
