Drake limping, swollen hot knees, Sits down all day. *PICS Inside*

adamhimself02 said:

Hello,

Recently our drake has been limping pretty badly.

He flaps his wings as he moves; I assume to help alleviate the weight on his joints.

He sits down most of the day in a stumbling fashion.

His *knees* are swollen and very warm.

I've taken several photos in an attempt to help get a diagnosis and help him recover.

Thanks for your help.

Full album of photos here: http://imgur.com/a/Uew86

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@adamhimself02 Welcome to BYC.. It looks like your drake has alot of inflamation in his legs and his feet too One foot looks to have bumble on it have bumble foot have you been treating? Is it possible to take him to the vet? I'd say he needs some type of antibiotic and for pain. How old is he and has anyone been chasing him or has been been jumping off of things? sides of pool etc?

In the mean time I'd keep him from walking much resting would be best. soaks in warm water will help to get the grime off of him since he probably doesn't feel like preening much, Once he has had a nice warm bath you may have to blow dry him on low setting. I'd get a small bucket and add warm water and Epsom salt put him in feet first and hold him in there for at least 5 mins ES helps with inflamation and swelling but that bumble will need to have more treatment I'll get you a treatment that has worked here on BYC with some. And Lets see if @casportpony has any ideas on medication if vet isn't feasible FIY don't let him drink the Epsom salt water it also works as a laxative.

Start out with half gall on of warm water to half cup of ES mix well.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/807777/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures

And please let us know how he is doing. Still hoping @casportpony will help with meds.

@adamhimself02 I second all that Miss Lydia has written.

Update:




I've been giving him regular cold water baths every morning and he seems to be very content in the water swimming and preening and uses his right leg for most of his weight in the water.

When he goes to walk his right foot doesn't fully extend and he ends up rolling over his right foot and falling forward where he will just sit.

His walking is labored and he regularly puts his wings down as crutches.

I've inspected his swollen knees/ankles? and they still allow some movement but there is a noticeable grinding sensation.

We'll get him off to the vet for a more thorough check.

Regards.

Please, nobody jump on me for asking, but why no vet visit in the 6 months this poor guy has been suffering?

Has this problem been getting better and then worse? Or has it just been bad this whole time? Has he had any antibiotics?

Cherib603 said:

Please, nobody jump on me for asking, but why no vet visit in the 6 months this poor guy has been suffering?

Has this problem been getting better and then worse? Or has it just been bad this whole time? Has he had any antibiotics?

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X2??

Cherib603 said:

Please, nobody jump on me for asking, but why no vet visit in the 6 months this poor guy has been suffering?

Has this problem been getting better and then worse? Or has it just been bad this whole time? Has he had any antibiotics?

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Hello,

It has been getting worse.

Just to be clear. I am not the owner of the ducks, my Mother is. She basically tells me to take them out in the morning and clean out their pool and feed them, not because she can't but because it's easier for her to text me to do it. We share the same house.

I have been telling her to take the duck to a vet many times, but she has yet to make any real efforts to remedy the situation.

I've taken it upon myself to be proactive and make efforts to seek help on this forum/internet, take photos, give the duck Epsom salt baths, research good diets, clean their pool, basically most of the responsibilities despite them not being my pets.

An example of her ineptitude: I can't tell you how many times I've explained to her not to feed the ducks white bread and getting "but they like it.","it's fine","they're hungry" as a response.

All I care about is getting this drake immediate and appropriate care.

Thanks for all you do for the ducks, though 6 months is far from immediate and appropriate care. Sorry, but I am fed up seeing so many animals left in pain for MONTHS.
Perhaps you need to call the SPCA and turn the animals over to them since your mother clearly has no interest in their wellbeing. At least turn in the injured one.
If not, then you need to consider yourself the owner and do what's right. Good luck.

adamhimself02 said:

Hello,

It has been getting worse.

Just to be clear. I am not the owner of the ducks, my Mother is. She basically tells me to take them out in the morning and clean out their pool and feed them, not because she can't but because it's easier for her to text me to do it. We share the same house.

I have been telling her to take the duck to a vet many times, but she has yet to make any real efforts to remedy the situation.

I've taken it upon myself to be proactive and make efforts to seek help on this forum/internet, take photos, give the duck Epsom salt baths, research good diets, clean their pool, basically most of the responsibilities despite them not being my pets.

An example of her ineptitude: I can't tell you how many times I've explained to her not to feed the ducks white bread and getting "but they like it.","it's fine","they're hungry" as a response.

All I care about is getting this drake immediate and appropriate care.

Click to expand...

I would take the duck to the vet.

@adamhimself02 , Welcome to BYC!

The duck definitely needs to be seen by a vet and treated or euthanized.

Here are two avian vet search links:

• http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
• http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/vetfinder.htm

If you cannot afford a vet it would be best to surrender him to animal control or the Humane Society.

-Kathy