ate a toad and limping

[duckiesrule]

So, apparently my mother saw my three indian runners fighting over a toad yesterday ... the culmination of said fight being that one of my ducks swallowed the toad. Is that just a weird story or should I be worried? I don't think toads are on the approved list of delicacies for ducks ...

On a (probably) unrelated note, that same duck began limping yesterday. We brought her inside and let her relax in the bath by herself. I checked the bottom of her foot and noticed a small bump with a crack across it. I have read a little about bumblefoot. I'm thinking this is probably the beginning of that ... is there anything I can do to prevent infection? Its probably just at the cut stage now ... though the bump sounds like descriptions of bumblefoot. I know this topic has been talked to death, but how does one tell the difference between a cut and "bumblefoot".

Thanks

 

[Kevin565]

I wouldn't worry about the toad. My birds have caught a few and never had any ill effects.

Can you get a picture of the wound? It's a lot easier to verify with a picture. I've only had to deal with it once so I can't give much advice on the difference between the two.

 

[Amiga]

There are normal bumps on the bottoms of duck feet, just callouses, and that can make it harder to be sure if there is a bumble starting up.

But limping can be early bumblefoot or a pulled muscle, or a few other things.

A nice swim in lukewarm water will help a pull or a sprain. Epsom salts compress will help all of the above. Es is a laxative so don't just let the duck swim in an Es bath. Dissolve some in warm water and soak a clean rag and then wrap the foot and hold it for s few minutes. You may need a helper, but sometimes we can do it solo if the duck cooperates.

For bumblefoot, I follow up the Epsom salts compress with a slathering of triple antibiotic (non painkiller variety).

 

[blueeyeddemon]

I hope she/he gets better!!!

 

[Amiga]

How are things going with the duckies?

 

[duckiesrule]

Still limping,

Here's her foot with the potential problem.







Her okay foot.

 

[Amiga]

I would do the Epsom salts compresses with triple antibiotic ointment afterward. If you are pressed for time, or the poor dear is just too fussy, go with a slathering of ointment two to three times a day for the first four days or so. If it is bumblefoot, I would expect the limp to go away after three or four days. That is how it has been with my runners.