Bumblefoot?

[dreamofwinter]

I've got various links bookmarked and will read up on treatment - I just need a more experienced duck keeper to weigh in. Is this bumblefoot?
Looking at the photos I feel like I see a bad spot on each foot. She's limping more on the foot with the possible iffy spot on the toe (first photo) but the iffy spot on the other foot is bigger/worse looking (second photo). We've just had a thaw and all kinds of sticks, gravel, etc have popped up in their run.

I've got her in a pen inside their sleeping quarters to at least try to keep the foot dry. She's obviously uncomfortable - she's ruffled up and not following the flock around as much when unconfined.
I'm hoping to not have to cut it out or bring her all the way inside, but we'll see what needs to happen. In the meantime thank you for confirming diagnosis (or not). My ducks are not fans of being held, despite being cuddled and spoiled as ducklings, so picking up the other 8 to check them is going to be a real adventure.

Editing to add: closest vet is 2.25 hours away so hoping to get through this on our own. I have Vetricyn, epsom salts, neosporin (non-pain relief), vet wrap, etc but no oral antibiotics.

 

[Purelychicks]

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like Bumblefoot to me.
@Miss Lydia @Quatie or @HollowOfWisps may have some suggestions for treating Ducks.

 

[dreamofwinter]

Thanks @Wyorp Rock - I found this article which seems pretty clear: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/treating-bumble-foot-in-ducks.74245/

Hopefully I've spotted it early enough that no major surgery is required.

 

[Miss Lydia]

here is more info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/another-bumblefoot-post.1492463/#post-24896429

 

[dreamofwinter]

here is more info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/another-bumblefoot-post.1492463/#post-24896429

Thank you!This is a great thread. I just got back from picking up more supplies at the drugstore, and will order Baytril right now.

I had a closer look today now that her feet are dry, and I'm optimistic I've caught it early. I found a tiny black spot on the foot that's more sore, and there's the big tan spot on the less sore foot. We'll get started on soaking, ointment, and wraps today.

One thing I haven't gleaned from these posts is, what is the length of time to recover? I know it varies depending on severity... but does it tend to be days, weeks or months?

And, sorry, one last question for you or anyone. Ducks are so social. I have her confined in a mesh playpen inside their big sleeping barn, and the chickens come in and out all day but the ducks only come in at night. Should I consider putting a friend in the playpen with her - it's not very big, about 40" diameter - or will she adapt to only being with her flock at night? She doesn't really have one special friend like some of the ducks do, so I'm thinking she may be OK if a little lonely.

 

[Quatie]

Thank you!This is a great thread. I just got back from picking up more supplies at the drugstore, and will order Baytril right now.

I had a closer look today now that her feet are dry, and I'm optimistic I've caught it early. I found a tiny black spot on the foot that's more sore, and there's the big tan spot on the less sore foot. We'll get started on soaking, ointment, and wraps today.

One thing I haven't gleaned from these posts is, what is the length of time to recover? I know it varies depending on severity... but does it tend to be days, weeks or months?

And, sorry, one last question for you or anyone. Ducks are so social. I have her confined in a mesh playpen inside their big sleeping barn, and the chickens come in and out all day but the ducks only come in at night. Should I consider putting a friend in the playpen with her - it's not very big, about 40" diameter - or will she adapt to only being with her flock at night? She doesn't really have one special friend like some of the ducks do, so I'm thinking she may be OK if a little lonely.

If they can see each other through the mesh, she will likely be fine. Some have a harder time than others. One of my ducks who had an injury would pace when she was a alone. Others have just sat there and rested. So it depends on your duck.

As for the recovery time, it can really depend. Usually you are looking at weeks, but it can take months. Pekins usually take longer, also because they tend to reinjure their feet. All that weight just makes recovery longer. Yours looks pretty minor, so it may not take that long. I found they recover faster with duck booties than vet wrap. In the long run, duck booties are cheaper than vet wrap. You can wash and reuse the bootie, while the vet wrap goes in the trash.

Also if you ends up taking a long time to heal, don't forget to take time for yourself to rest. If you miss a day here or there of treatment, it won't hurt. Bumblefoot treatment can sometimes be exhausting, and sometimes you just need to take a break for your own mental health. And there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[dreamofwinter]

Bumblefoot treatment can sometimes be exhausting, and sometimes you just need to take a break for your own mental health. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Thank you! I actually really needed to hear this right now. I think a lot of us get so attached to our birds and to doing the very best we can for them. I always want to be perfect and forget that good is often good enough.

Dumpling was doing fine on her own in the pet playpen. It seemed like she was really appreciating the chance to rest in warm, clean straw and shavings instead of in the mud under the building where the rest of the ducks like to hang out during the day, or on the ice in the yard. However, I finally got finished checking all the ducks' feet (what a rodeo!) and Apple, my unoriginally-named Silver Appleyard, has what looks like a little healing cut on one foot. So out of an abundance of caution I'm keeping her in too, and made them a larger area with an ex-pen. Boy am I glad I got the large 10x14 shed! Plenty of room for this kind of thing.

Dumpling is a White Layer Hybrid, not a Pekin, but I imagine they share some traits. She grew really fast as a duckling and we always worried about her legs because she'd just plop down, exhausted. I'm sure that as a production breed rather than a heritage breed, she may have some predisposition to things.

Looking at her feet when I soaked them today, I'm confident we caught this early. I ordered booties and they are on the way, so once those arrive I can get really aggressive with soaking and treatment if needed.

Again, thank you for the encouragement

 

[Quatie]

Thank you! I actually really needed to hear this right now. I think a lot of us get so attached to our birds and to doing the very best we can for them. I always want to be perfect and forget that good is often good enough.

Dumpling was doing fine on her own in the pet playpen. It seemed like she was really appreciating the chance to rest in warm, clean straw and shavings instead of in the mud under the building where the rest of the ducks like to hang out during the day, or on the ice in the yard. However, I finally got finished checking all the ducks' feet (what a rodeo!) and Apple, my unoriginally-named Silver Appleyard, has what looks like a little healing cut on one foot. So out of an abundance of caution I'm keeping her in too, and made them a larger area with an ex-pen. Boy am I glad I got the large 10x14 shed! Plenty of room for this kind of thing.

Dumpling is a White Layer Hybrid, not a Pekin, but I imagine they share some traits. She grew really fast as a duckling and we always worried about her legs because she'd just plop down, exhausted. I'm sure that as a production breed rather than a heritage breed, she may have some predisposition to things.

Looking at her feet when I soaked them today, I'm confident we caught this early. I ordered booties and they are on the way, so once those arrive I can get really aggressive with soaking and treatment if needed.

Again, thank you for the encouragement

That is great that she is taking it easy. Hopefully Apple will heal quickly too. It definitely looks like you caught it early. I have seen a lot worse. Let us know how things go for the ducks.