Splayed Leg???

[tia]

I have a little Indian Runner that was hatched in the incubator. It is about 4 weeks old. Its legs looked a little splayed so I used some vet wrap... also tried string to hobble him. He was sick for a while...took him to the vet... she gave him antibiotics for an upper respiratory infect. Seems to be feeling good. I put electrolytes in the water and also apple cider vinegar. Still appears to have splayed leg and is reluctant to walk a lot. Does anyone have any suggestions of anything else I might try. At what age is it too late to correct splay leg??? Please help.

 

[tia]

 

[tia]

I thought the picture might help.

 

[Amiga]

Duckyfromoz has had some experience with leg difficulties. Perhaps you could pm her. Does he get much swim time in lukewarm water? That might help a little.

 

[Tahai]

Have you tried niacin? splayed leg is usually a sign of niacin deficiency. Do a search on the duck forum for niacin deficiency, and you'll find a pile of information.

 

[Amiga]

How is the traction in the brooder? Try putting down an old terrycloth towel or something easier to grip.

 

[tia]

I have been putting electrolytes in the water which I thought would take care of the niacin problem. I have a thicker piece of that rubber shelf liner on the floor of the brooder and then shop paper towels. I had him on pine shavings with the others for a while... but the Ancona ducklings are much too lively for him. I can put regular towels down... I was just finding this is easier for cleaning. Do you think the shelf liner and paper towels are too slippery??? Maybe there isn't enough padding there and the floor is too hard. Is there enough niacin in the electrolytes? I was putting 1/4 teaspoon in 1 gallon of water.

 

[Amiga]

Without reading the label, I don't know if there is any niacin in the electrolytes mix you are using.

And for some ducks, paper towels are too slippery.

(Added . . . I just looked quickly at a recipe for electrolytes and as I suspected, there are no vitamins in electrolytes, just salts, so there is no niacin in that mix if it is just electrolytes.)

 

[tia]

Sorry mine is durvet vitamins and electrolytes. The label said 2,500 per 8 oz. or 5,000 Mg per lb.

I am going to start using old towels and washing them out. Runners seem to have sensitive little legs.