Hello, I am hoping you can help me, I have a female mute swan who is approximately 26 years old. she is like a member of our family. I bought her when she was a week old from a veterinarian there was a couple a male and a female. About 10 years ago the male passed away for reasons unknown. Now for the point of my email, my female swan seems to have arthritis in her legs and is not able to move very well anymore.

Also, over the last approximately 2 weeks, I've noticed she is having a very hard time holding her head up. As she is setting, she appears to be falling asleep and her head bobs up and down. I have also noticed, that when I water her and give her attention, she will throw her neck high up in the air and then her head will flop back over on her body as if she has no strength to hold her head up. This particular situation has come on rapidly, as I've said over the last 2-4 weeks.

I am just wondering, if these are signs that her life is nearing an end or is this something that I should take her to a veterinarian for. Perhaps a vitamin deficiency? I am open to any ideas you may have. I have been around animals, e.g. livestock, ducks and geese my whole life, but this swan is very special to my family. Unfortunately, my guess is, her days are very numbered and these are just signs of age and end of life behaviors. However I was hoping maybe you could offer an opinion. I know it's very difficult without seeing her. Thank you very much my name is Paul from central Illinois.