What the heck is wrong with my Pekin?

[Miss Lydia]

Pekins can develop leg issues it can be from niacin deficiency, an being over weight. At 4 months old he’s at the age where he’s becoming an adult. If he has had niacin supplement since tiny they can actually still have one even though on a supplement. So ducks just seem to need more. That’s when the liquid b complex comes in. If a niacin deficiency it can turn it around if caught before the duck is too far crippled. Did we give you the info on niacin deficiency? Keep info them from getting over weight is crucial since weight on legs already weak can really make them worse. Feeding a good quality feed and keeping treats to a minimum is important. Treats should only be 10% of daily feed intake. Good healthy treats too we have a list if you don’t have it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...cy-in-waterfowl.1367557/page-11#post-23016501. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

 

[RainbowHen]

For sure get him some vitamin B. Keep him as active as possible, preferably with swimming. I would also continue niacin. What do you feed him? I'm sorry if I missed it. Does he get ACV? Definitely not a cure all but can be helpful.

 

[EvaluationUnit]

Thanks folks! He is fed dumor 16% layer crumble along with the rest of them. We put brewer's yeast on top as a supplement, but that might not be enough for him. I don't think he's necessarily overweight (he is much smaller than his sister/mate), and for treats they all really enjoy weeds (especially clovers) from my yard, so that's just about all they get unless we have some leftovers they actually want to eat. On occasion they get peas, but not often. No ACV yet - We just learned about this and picked it up, and I read it shouldn't be given when it's really hot, especially to females. I'm hanging onto it until it's a little cooler; while my boy Quasi doesn't share the same water as everyone else for fear of spreading whatever he has, I'm not sure if it's safe to dose him with ACV given it's been 90+ degrees lately. Any insight on that?

He was definitely niacin deficient in the beginning, so if it's possible this is following him into adulthood, I can keep dosing his water with whatever needs to be added - he has no problems drinking the gross poly-vi-sol.

On Thursday we started re-giving him poly-vi-sol since the vet had suggested it and we already have it on hand. I'm thinking we're on to something, because today he seems like he is definitely standing and hobbling more, moving his leg a bit more as well. Is it possible to see improvement that quickly? I'm going to continue, but I want to make sure I'm seeing what I'm seeing.

Edit: I also picked up another round of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory from the vet, but I think I may just hold off and see how he does with the poly-vi-sol first. The vet mentioned it could be possible his immune system isn't working properly, given the antibiotic that was *not* supposed to be effective against the cultured bacteria appears to be working in regards to his respiratory issue.

 

[RainbowHen]

He should be on an All Flock or Waterfowl feed. That is not enough protein for him and he definitely does not need the calcium in the layer feed. That might help. Was he ever fed starter or grower?

 

[RainbowHen]

https://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm

 

[EvaluationUnit]

He should be on an All Flock or Waterfowl feed. That is not enough protein for him and he definitely does not need the calcium in the layer feed. That might help. Was he ever fed starter or grower?

Yes, he was on starter/grower. We switched the other over to grow & show early on when she started to develop angel wing. He finished out the bag of 20% starter/grower on his own, and then when the bag ran out we switched him to the layer crumble so we're not buying a bunch of different foods with no way to separate who gets what.

 

[RainbowHen]

Yes, he was on starter/grower. We switched the other over to grow & show early on when she started to develop angel wing. He finished out the bag of 20% starter/grower on his own, and then when the bag ran out we switched him to the layer crumble so we're not buying a bunch of different foods with no way to separate who gets what.

Oh ok I understand now. Just trying to look at all sides of the situation.

 

[EvaluationUnit]

Oh ok I understand now. Just trying to look at all sides of the situation.

Understandable! As I understand, it's not optimal to feed drakes layer feed given the extra calcium, however there's really no way to *stop* them from eating it if it's out. Hasn't hurt my khaki campbell drake so far. Quasi is separate so if it's really a good idea to give him different food while he recovers, it will be easy for me to do so right now, though it won't in the future if he ever gets to join the rest of the flock. I'm just concerned about more protein causing an overweight situation and making his walking problem worse.

 

[RainbowHen]

Poor little guy obviously has SOMETHING going on, I am just not sure what. @Isaac 0 any ideas?

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry, I was unaware I was tagged twice here.

Could we start off with a video of the duck walking/ or trying to walk? In case you're unaware how to do that, you'll need to upload the video to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo first, then copy/paste the link over here.

I'm not totally suggesting this isn't a niacin deficiency, but I want to set in on the back burner for now because the symptoms the duck is portraying, and its age doesn't really make me believe that might be the sole cause of her problem.

There are a variety of reasons that a duck may limp, to name several, being nutritional deficient in the vitamins D or B3, an injury, Bumblefoot, or an infection, which is something I'd like shed some light on here. I notice you say she had some respiratory problems earlier on, and that subsided with the use of antibiotics. In case your vet hasn't told you, there are several respiratory infections, for instance, mycoplamsa synoviae, that can not be treated only alleviated with the use of antibiotics, this is directly due to the fact that mycoplasma cells lack a cell way and are naturally resistant to most antibiotics.

By no means, am I suggesting she has MS, but I will say it does coincide with her other problems, and the infection is currently still active and is affecting the mobility in her hock. Which is a clinical sign of MS.

Here is a link on MS, and if you feel like that may be her problem, you should consider sending samples to either your state veterinary diagnostic lab, or try contacting a national diagnostic lab like Zoologix, for a possible diagnosis.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-in-poultry
http://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

As far as some of the basic care you can implement as of now, that might consist of keeping her In a soft padded pen area, where feed and water is near, administering vitamins often, as well as letting the duck relive the weight of its legs via water therapy.

In case you haven’t already, could you gently pick the duck up and carefully inspect both legs for signs of swollenness, redness, warmness, bruising, or signs of bumblefoot on the foot pads?