Complicated duck foot injury.

[Deleted member 94844]

I'm so happy Jill is eating and feeling better! Please keep us posted!!

 

[Luminide]

Another update:

Her toe that was separated from the others (webbing lost) seems to be badly swelling. The scales were cracking open and it was 3 or 4 times thicker than the other toes. Opened the wound, but there was no pus somehow. Washed and wrapped it...she's got a nice little ace bandage now rather than just gauze. Her pad and dew claw seem to be healing much more nicely. She's now able to walk and hang out almost full time with her siblings. She's only isolated at bedtime.

Toe aside, I'm a little concerned about her breathing and beak color.

She's hesitant to dunk her head to clean her nostrils, so she's been mouth breathing a lot. Otherwise, all her behaviors have returned to normal.

As for her bill, it was once bright orange...now it's paling to a yellow. Could this be a sign of anemia, and if so how do I go about treating it?

 

[Amiga]

It sometimes happens that a foot infection becomes systemic, in which case oral antibiotics would be needed. I can't make that call from here, but you may want to consider that possibility.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It sometimes happens that a foot infection becomes systemic, in which case oral antibiotics would be needed. I can't make that call from here, but you may want to consider that possibility.

X2 on my medicine chart from Twin City Poultry they recommend Penicillin you can get it at most feed stores and TSC if you get powder it says to mix with water 1/2 to 1 tea. to 1 gallon for 8-10 days. you can also get injectable pen to. I'd also start her on some good poultry vitamins.
Sure hope infection hasn't set in. sounds like other than her one issue she is getting back to normal.

 

[Luminide]

Awesome, thanks you two. I just picked her up some antibiotic and vitamins. Here's hoping it helps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Awesome, thanks you two. I just picked her up some antibiotic and vitamins. Here's hoping it helps.

keep us updated.

 

[Luminide]

Not sure if its the antibiotics working yet, but she sure is happy! Jill seems to have super tastebuds, she can tell whenever something's different in her food or water. A tip to anyone who struggles with getting their duck to drink the medicated water: Add fruit. Yesterday I picked some mulberries (my ducks' favorite treat) and dropped some in the water. Crushed and stirred to flavor the water, and Jill can't get enough of her juice. I brought her some more this morning, and I swear she was smiling at me. When they get down to the last dregs that they can't quite drink, either add more water or toss a bit of feed on top to soak it up.

And a note to anyone who isn't familiar: Mulberries do have a laxative effect and are not great in large quantities, especially for an ill duck. Jill gets only 5 or 6 berries to flavor a whole pail of water.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not sure if its the antibiotics working yet, but she sure is happy! Jill seems to have super tastebuds, she can tell whenever something's different in her food or water. A tip to anyone who struggles with getting their duck to drink the medicated water: Add fruit. Yesterday I picked some mulberries (my ducks' favorite treat) and dropped some in the water. Crushed and stirred to flavor the water, and Jill can't get enough of her juice. I brought her some more this morning, and I swear she was smiling at me. When they get down to the last dregs that they can't quite drink, either add more water or toss a bit of feed on top to soak it up.

And a note to anyone who isn't familiar: Mulberries do have a laxative effect and are not great in large quantities, especially for an ill duck. Jill gets only 5 or 6 berries to flavor a whole pail of water.

that made me laugh, and so glad to hear she is doing great. and I do think they can smile.

 

[Luminide]

Me too~ Duck smiles are now listed as one of my favorite things.

Hm, in spite of Jill doing better with the antibiotic, her separated toe doesn't look like it'll make it. It was unwrapped a few minutes ago. Foul odor, black tip, and she isn't moving it. Without webbing to hold it to her other toes, I can see it being more of a hindrance than help at this point. I've never had to deal with an amputation- ever- for any family member or animal.

I'll voice a few of my concerns here in case anyone can help.

Firstly, her balance. This is the furthest outside toe that is affected Obviously with only three toes, each is going to be very important for stability. How quickly might she adapt to a foot with just two toes?

Another issue is cost. My situation promises my ducks food, bedding, and medical supplies, but how much would a vet ask in exchange for removing a small appendage? I was prepared to treat injuries when I bought them, but nothing like this.

And then, I worry a bit that I may be jumping too quickly into this. The toe is obviously extremely damaged, but what if she doesn't need the trauma of having it removed? What if it heals in some bizarre way, or she removes it herself?

 

[Amiga]

The odor is not good. Sounds like it could be dead tissue.

I think you need to clean that up as soon as possible. Amputation may be necessary, and I cannot give you any good information from my experience, we just have not had to deal with that here.

I can identify with your thoughts about expense, and balance, and all that. . .

I doubt she will take care of it herself, though it may not be impossible for that to happen. Necrotic tissue can invite more bacterial infection into her bloodstream, and that is quite dangerous.

Handicapped ducks can get around, depending on the injury.