Advanced bumblefoot but no obvious point of entry.

[SirGoose]

We’ve recently rescued two abandoned pekin ducks. One has a fairly advanced case of bumblefoot, with both legs and tops of feet swollen badly. One foot had an obvious wound that we opened and removed a large core of infection and tendrils. That leg is healing very nicely, but the other remains swollen, but no obvious point of infection or “bumble” to drain, so we’re not sure WHERE to cut and remove the infection, should we need to. Her mood is fine, and she eats, drinks, preens, and baths. We’ve tackled bumblefoot before, so she’s receiving all the standard good stuff- ACV, nutridrench, epsom compresses, multiple baths per day, and the foot is booted with vetericyn and neosporin. With the other leg healing so fast after removal of the infection, can we expect the other leg to follow in healing without the need to cut?

 

[SirGoose]

Day 3 of recovery. She and her sister were found at a pond a little over a week ago. She’s had swollen feet since we met her. The humane society mandated a 6-day hold on them, before we could adopt them. We knew it was bumblefoot, and could treat her, but they insisted on the wait. Until then, she received no special care, save for a vet exam with little findings and no treatment. He was obviously not familiar with anatidae. In fact, the conditions she was kept in at the humane society were worse than the pond they were dumped at, and Im surprised she made it to us! They seem very young, and are likely bonded siblings. Less than a year old, and I believe that’s the biggest contributor to her survival. Her attitude is still very good! Eating and drinking with vigor, and doesnt seem to mind walking, as clumsy as she is in this condition. Right foot (infection removed) is still healing and looking good around the site. Left foot still presenting no wound, so it’s hard to tell if the infection is up top, or on the underside. Epsom compresses seem to be slowly bringing something to the surface on the side of the leg, at the ankle joint, but nothing obvious yet. Until there’s a turn in her behavior, we continue to treat with ACV, liquid vitamin supplement, baths, epsom compresses, and boots with vetericyn and neosporin. Is it safe to cut infection from the top of the foot, cutting through the scales if the infection presents there? And why is there no obvious wound on her worst foot? Is it possible the infection entered through the wound on the right foot, then spread to swell her left foot? Fairly experienced in treating bumblefoot, but not a case this severe, and Ive never seen it present without a “bumble.”

 

[SirGoose]

Day 3 of recovery. She and her sister were found at a pond a little over a week ago. She’s had swollen feet since we met her. The humane society mandated a 6-day hold on them, before we could adopt them. We knew it was bumblefoot, and could treat her, but they insisted on the wait. Until then, she received no special care, save for a vet exam with little findings and no treatment. He was obviously not familiar with anatidae. In fact, the conditions she was kept in at the humane society were worse than the pond they were dumped at, and Im surprised she made it to us! They seem very young, and are likely bonded siblings. Less than a year old, and I believe that’s the biggest contributor to her survival. Her attitude is still very good! Eating and drinking with vigor, and doesnt seem to mind walking, as clumsy as she is in this condition. Right foot (infection removed) is still healing and looking good around the site. Left foot still presenting no wound, so it’s hard to tell if the infection is up top, or on the underside. Epsom compresses seem to be slowly bringing something to the surface on the side of the leg, at the ankle joint, but nothing obvious yet. Until there’s a turn in her behavior, we continue to treat with ACV, liquid vitamin supplement, baths, epsom compresses, and boots with vetericyn and neosporin. Is it safe to cut infection from the top of the foot, cutting through the scales if the infection presents there? And why is there no obvious wound on her worst foot? Is it possible the infection entered through the wound on the right foot, then spread to swell her left foot? Fairly experienced in treating bumblefoot, but not a case this severe, and Ive never seen it present without a “bumble.”

Vet appt on Saturday. Thinking about trying enrotex

 

[SirGoose]

Vet appt on Saturday. Thinking about trying enrotex

Scratch that. Not gonna get crazy with antibiotics. No change in attitude. She’s such a good girl We have applied DMSO+neosporin to the “mystery leg”, and the other leg continues to heal nicely. If improvement keeps up, we may not need the vet by Saturday.

 

[SirGoose]

Continued improvement. DMSO seems to be helping with the swelling, and possibly bringing some infection sites to the surface. Attitude still unchanged. She’s a very happy duck, considering! Followed through with the vet appt this morning. Received a 3-week course of antibiotics (sulfadiazine/trimethoprim) and 10-day course of Metacam. Doctor is concerned the joints have been permanently affected, and she will not be as fast as her sister, but is confident we have been doing the right thing, and she’ll pull through just fine after her treatment is complete. Will update.

 

[Xouie]

Watching. Thank you.

 

[3xhhheather]

Curious how she’s doing with everything, tx!

 

[SirGoose]

Watching. Thank you.

Curious how she’s doing with everything, tx!

Clover is doing very well! Thanks for asking! Today was the first week of her 3-week course of antibiotics and metacam. Still getting two baths a day, and the whole DMSO+neosporin wrap job at night. Swelling receding slowly but surely. She loves her time in the front yard, and zooms around bug hunting with her sister. We’re excited to see her healed and integrated in a few more weeks. Will update again soon with progress pics.

 

[Aunt Angus]

So glad to read your update! She and her sister are lucky duckies!

 

[SirGoose]

Clover is doing very well! Thanks for asking! Today was the first week of her 3-week course of antibiotics and metacam. Still getting two baths a day, and the whole DMSO+neosporin wrap job at night. Swelling receding slowly but surely. She loves her time in the front yard, and zooms around bug hunting with her sister. We’re excited to see her healed and integrated in a few more weeks. Will update again soon with progress pics.