In a moment of weakness, we took home some ducklings. One of these duckling had a lame foot. Since I try my hardest with the lives I have been entrusted, I took to the internet to find a solution to my little curly toe.
After asking on a couple of Facebook groups, I decided the best course of action was to offer swim therapy 2 times a day...
To make a little "shoe" and spread out the webbing...
And to add niacin to the water. Ducks apparently need niacin (NOT the flush free kind as this is a different form). A lack of it can cause foot and leg defects... you can either add niacin to the water (a super diluted form) or mix human grade brewers yeast in with the food. Since I couldn't find brewers yeast, I went the water route.
24 hours later and my little ducky is doing great! She is bearing weight on her foot and can walk! She does have a slight limp, and prefers sitting to standing, but I am thinking that will correct itself with use.
I am still going to do swim therapy daily with her just to keep her leg growing strong... but I have hope she will lead a full and normal life.
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