Injured duck - Leg Was Tied - Photo attached

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dotknott

dotknott

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6 Years
Apr 11, 2016
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Rhode Island
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The rain we've had the last few days caused the stream to rise a bit yesterday. It also caused some trash to make its way downstream. I came home yesterday afternoon to a duck with a length of string wrapped tightly around her leg and tangled up with two saplings. I had to climb to the other side of the stream and cut the saplings to get her out. The string was so tight on her leg I couldn't get my knife under it and ended up using nail clippers to remove and untangle the mess. Last night she seemed okay, though she was limping a little, probably from having her leg tied back for as long as it was. She was still limping this AM and I noticed that she's now swollen as well (overall, her leg looks worse than it did yesterday, but I'm not sure how much of that is because I have better lighting and can see so much more of it.)



I kept her in the coop today, with a bowl of food and some water. She may have laid an egg this AM.. that's not clear though. She has limited mobility of the leg, but doesn't put much weight on it. I felt for any breaks yesterday, but couldn't feel anything. I'm terrible at first aid. What should I do between now and getting her to a vet..
 
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dotknott said:
The rain we've had the last few days caused the stream to rise a bit yesterday. It also caused some trash to make its way downstream. I came home yesterday afternoon to a duck with a length of string wrapped tightly around her leg and tangled up with two saplings. I had to climb to the other side of the stream and cut the saplings to get her out. The string was so tight on her leg I couldn't get my knife under it and ended up using nail clippers to remove and untangle the mess. Last night she seemed okay, though she was limping a little, probably from having her leg tied back for as long as it was. She was still limping this AM and I noticed that she's now swollen as well (overall, her leg looks worse than it did yesterday, but I'm not sure how much of that is because I have better lighting and can see so much more of it.)



I kept her in the coop today, with a bowl of food and some water. She may have laid an egg this AM.. that's not clear though. She has limited mobility of the leg, but doesn't put much weight on it. I felt for any breaks yesterday, but couldn't feel anything. I'm terrible at first aid. What should I do between now and getting her to a vet..
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Poor baby that looks like it really cut can you soak her leg in some warm ES water? that may help some till a vet sees her. I'd say she is in pain so hopefully they will give meta cam for the pain and inflammation. Does her foot feel like she still has good circulation?
 
Miss Lydia said:
Poor baby that looks like it really cut can you soak her leg in some warm ES water? that may help some till a vet sees her. I'd say she is in pain so hopefully they will give meta cam for the pain and inflammation. Does her foot feel like she still has good circulation?
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I'm moving her into the house (or at least to a sheltered spot on the 2nd floor back porch.. we'll see what I can negotiate with DH) this afternoon. I'll do a warm ES swim in the tub once I get home. I am at work now, so I'm working from memory, but I checked her foot for temp this AM and it didn't feel any warmer or cooler than the other one.
 
dotknott said:
I'm moving her into the house (or at least to a sheltered spot on the 2nd floor back porch.. we'll see what I can negotiate with DH) this afternoon. I'll do a warm ES swim in the tub once I get home. I am at work now, so I'm working from memory, but I checked her foot for temp this AM and it didn't feel any warmer or cooler than the other one.
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That's good hopefully circulation hasn't been compromised. You can also do warm ES compresses if that would be better in your situation. I have a Runner right now with a injury to her leg she is being kept inside the large coop with her sis and I am doing ES soaks with her. It takes time but they are awesome at healing. Hope your girls injury doesn't take too long to heal.
 
Herdcutter said:
It's going to take a long time to heal. But you need to soak that leg daily in some gentian violet https://g.co/kgs/8Y7CiM

She most likely will have permanent damage and may walk with a limp. If you can keep her from infection, she still can lead a good life.
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Well maybe not soak the leg in Blue Kote but put some on the wound. I can't imagine what I'd look like or my surrounds if I soaked a duck in Blue Kote which has gentian Violet in it big time.

@dotknott if you don't have any Blue Kote and go to get some buy the one with the dauber instead of spray alot easier to work with.
 
okay, shopping list for this lunch hour is:

unscented ES (all I have right now is lavender scented..)
Disposable Gloves
Gentian Violet
Small Spray bottle

Should I wrap this at all, or would that be a bad idea with the swelling?

Metcam? Is that only available through the vet?
 
dotknott said:
okay, shopping list for this lunch hour is:

unscented ES (all I have right now is lavender scented..)
Disposable Gloves
Gentian Violet
Small Spray bottle

Should I wrap this at all, or would that be a bad idea with the swelling?

Metcam? Is that only available through the vet?
Click to expand...
Yes through a vet only. If you are in good standing with a vet that might prescribe as a friend. If you don't want to take her.

I wouldn't wrap if your keeping her from the rest on clean bedding actually if an open wound old clean towels would be best that way nothing can stick in the wound.
 
Miss Lydia said:
Yes through a vet only. If you are in good standing with a vet that might prescribe as a friend. If you don't want to take her.

I wouldn't wrap if your keeping her from the rest on clean bedding actually if an open wound old clean towels would be best that way nothing can stick in the wound.
Click to expand...
My plan was to set her up in a dog kennel with a collection of old throw blankets, swap them out a once or twice a day. I don't have a relationship with an avian vet so I think the meta cam is going to have to wait for an appt.
 
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Keep us posted. Get a vet to order VF Vetericyn and spray it on the wound. That stuff is the bomb. But VF works faster than the stuff you can buy at the farm store.
My go to for fresh wounds is Gentian Violet or VF Vetericyn...whichever I choose, I stick with and watch for infection. Sometimes, getting in the wound and snipping out the dead tissue helps the healing process go faster. Sounds gross, but it works.
 

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