broken leg

[sunshine32]

I have a old peking duck (17) with a broken leg that I have splinted. Any advice? How long does it take to heal? What are signs of infection I should look for?

 

[Amiga]

Swelling may or may not indicate infection... but if it swells a while after the injury I would be more suspicious of something wrong in there. Unusual warmth, too, is a sign, and dark pink or red on the leg.

I would go for really good nutrition - vitamins, electrolytes, probiotics, maybe a little extra calcium and Vitamin D.

And I would let the patient swim in lukewarm water as much as possible to keep weight off the leg, while giving exercise and increasing circulation.

Poor baby.