Sprain or other injury? Duck won’t move leg.

[BrukeyBrooke]

I need some help BYC!

My sweet Elsa was limping and didn’t come out for yard time the other day. I checked for bumblefoot and have started treating for the same. But what I see on her foot doesn’t quite look like bumblefoot (ironically, I’m treating another duck for this now and am generally familiar with it). Also her symptoms are disproportionate to what I am seeing.

Elsa barely moves her right leg and won’t put weight on it. When holding her, if I push her leg down, she lightly pulls it up, but when I push up, she lets me move it without resistance (you know how ducks push down with their feet/legs similar to how babies do?) I also tried some swimming today, but she did not paddle that leg. Just touched down with her other foot and used her wings to hop out. I’m now thinking her leg is sprained or there is another injury.

I’ve called just about every vet within an hour radius with no luck. Many are closed for Labor Day. Aside from keeping her cleaned up, dry, and calm, any other suggestions or thoughts?

Closeup of her foot and one of her standing without setting her foot all the way down.

 

[picklestheduck]

Can you get a better picture of that foot? It looks like it has a cut on it or something but it’s blurry for me so I’m unsure.

 

[BrukeyBrooke]

Hi y’all! I wound up cross posting in the duck forum because this one was so quiet. I was able to get in to see a farm vet yesterday afternoon, a guy who also raises ducks.

After a full exam, he suspects a nutrient deficiency that is leading to nerve damage. That’s despite buying expensive feed designed for ducks and geese. We had a big move (1400+ miles), we’ve had a big change in weather, she’s been a prolific layer, and the kicker may have been a combination of running out of feed for a few days and using the “all purpose poultry” feed we could get locally and her getting into the dog food like it’s a special treat. There is zero indication of injury of any kind.

His recommendation is to add some crushed cat food to her feed. She should be on the mend soon, but it will take maybe a month or so.