Bumblefoot??

[JorgiePeach]

I just rescued this duck two weeks ago and I think he might have bumblefoot but the other duck I’ve had for a year is fine. I’m not sure if it’s bumblefoot because he’s crippled and all of the bumblefoot symptoms he naturally has because he’s overweight from his last owner and he was just born with a bowed leg. I’ll post pictures below. I soaked him in warm water with Epsom salt, used neosporin spray and was able to get a little bit of the stuff off, but I’m not sure what’s going on here.

 

[Isaac 0]

It appears to be a type of pododermatitis, likely characterized by the inflammatory, and degenerative response to several environmental problems such as wet soiled bedding, fecal matter accumulation, and/or prolonged hours on rough grounds. What concerns me here is how swollen her hock is - it is very likely infected. Do you happen to have access to a vet, or is that not an option?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

 

[JorgiePeach]

It appears to be a type of pododermatitis, likely characterized by the inflammatory, and degenerative response to several environmental problems such as wet soiled bedding, fecal matter accumulation, and/or prolonged hours on rough grounds. What concerns me here is how swollen her hock is - it is very likely infected. Do you happen to have access to a vet, or is that not an option?

It has been pretty wet here, so that could explain it. But both of his hocks are fairly large, I thought it was just because he is extremely overweight. He can barely walk that’s how heavy he is. I’m trying to help him lose weight but I’ve only had him for a short period of time. I don’t have access to a vet currently, there are not many vets around me that accept ducks. Are there home remedies for this?
Edit: looking back at photos around the time I got him, it looks like the stuff on his hock was there so he’s had it for 2 weeks. Could it maybe be scabbing since he wobbles and sometimes falls on that side? I can treat it as bumblefoot but I did genuinely just want to make sure exactly what it was.

 

[Isaac 0]

If his hocks are just normally large and don't seem infected you may just proceed with topical treatment for the lesions. I would try soaking his feet, in an antiseptic bath using either dilute iodine or chlorhexidine for a few days. When out of the water, applying an antibacterial such as Neosporin, or a poultry spray may be good too. I would try to relieve the weight off those hock joints, and that can be accomplished via either watery therapy, hock padding, softer grounds, or some sort of sling. Here is some info on dealing with disabled birds:



https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mature-duck-niacin-deficiency.1430288/page-9#post-23783311

The prognosis of a niacin deficient bird depends on several factors, including age, but also the supportive care the owner is willing to provide in such cases. As I've mentioned earlier in the thread, given the age if your duck, it's unlikely she will completely recover; that is suggested due to the fact as birds age, their bones tend to become more set in place, and not correct by nutritional therapy.

The sores you see developing on her intertarsal joint (hock) is likely to be due to her laying down most of the day. Excessive, prolonged pressure on hard grounds can cause degradation of the superficial epidermis/ these are called hock sores and can become something very serious if environmental changes are not met. The pen area I see in the pictures you provided is mostly dirt which provides little comfort, and alleviation to her legs. Adding shredded hardwood bark, or anything or soft material may help prevent further advancing of the hock sores.

The poor hygiene around her eyes is most likely correlated with the accumulation of debris, and dirt, causing irritation and infection. To prevent this from happening ducks bathe their heads frequently, but ones such as your bird that have preexisting conditions that discourage normal hygienic practices promote such conditions.

By providing a softer housing substrate, ensuring she bathes in deep water daily, and getting her on a correct diet formulated for all poultry, or ducks with the addition of niacin, you may see some improvement in her condition.