Do I remove more “junk” from my poor Pekin’s leg?

[Dani loves ducks]

my poor female duck came to me with a horrible limp about a month ago. A month ago, I surgically removed a scab and then proceeded to put her into warm Epson salt soaks daily with therapy in her pool and covering her wound until it closed. Upon inspection today, I can see her foot is still in bad shape after weeks of treatment with the warm Epson salt soaks, 5 days of oral antibiotics (endEd two weeks ago) and pool/swimming therapy. I took out the little black scab today which was a clean “pop.” And then I addressed her large mass above the orange part of her leg. It ended up being a bunch of dead soft rubbery skin. I don’t believe I got all of it out of that top part of her leg but we had been working on her for over an hour and she had tired of the whole ordeal. I am not sure if I should be trying to surgically remove any more. Also, I question the part on her orange leg which is beginning to swell out and show a “bald“ spot. Should I cut into that and see if it’s another mass of skin cells or whatever it is, or am I getting too close to her joints and tendons. I fear I will nick something and cause more problems than she already has. Any help is so very much appreciated. I’ve included a pic of what I dug out. And then I included the pic of her bandaged leg afterwards. The last picture shows how she stands. When she first came to me she could not stand on her flat foot, she stood on her knuckle with the foot folded backwards. And so I am encouraged that she is trying to use the leg correctly. She is walking better than I ever have seen her walk. But still obviously this leg has a lot of problems. It seems quite extreme to me. I don’t know how old she is. And it is just her and her husband in the habitat. Again, if you have any ideas for me, I am open and willing to try whatever I can for this very sweet and patient duck named Sally.

 

[Dani loves ducks]

How’s she doing?

Thank you for asking! She is doing great! We go to a farm animal vet on Thursday. It's the closest I'm going to get as far as finding an avain specialist. He said he's willing to proceed with antibiotic treatment in order to try something. I hope he feels the same way after examining her and seeing her x-ray. She has a dislocated leg at the infection site, so we'll see. At least I can have peace that I'm getting a second opinion and in the mean time, she is enjoying her life. She manages her leg well and continues to eat, drink, swim (when I put her in the pool, daily) and i dig her up fresh worms every day. Fingers crossed for Thursday!

 

[Dani loves ducks]

Hi, I don’t wanna be rude but Muscovies aren’t technically ducks and Mallard-derived ducks can’t communicate with them, so it would be just as bad as being by himself. It’s also a good idea to have at least five hens per drake.

I personally would cull a duck if they’ve gotten to the point of bone infection due to how excruciatingly painful it is, especially if the leg is dislocated. Even if the infection clears she could have lifelong issues due to the dislocation. Being a Pekin, there is a smaller chance of healing to a point of comfort due to her extra weight.
That being said, I hope the best for you and your birds.

Thank you for weighing in. I know I need to do the right thing for Sally and if the vet tomorrow agrees with the original vet, then there's a decision I may need to make right then and there. This vet is more geared toward hobby farm animals and so his opinion holds more weight. Tomorrow could be a difficult day, I realize this completely. It's a second opinion, which is what I need. And depending on what that is will determine the next action to take, even if it's the final one.

 

[Dani loves ducks]

Sally does seem like she’s doing OK. She was eating voraciously this morning and then she came charging out of the shed with her limp which she is used to dealing with. The vet did not even give us antibiotics to try and fight this infection and now I’m questioning why that is. She just kept saying that there was nothing we could do. I wish I had asked more about why that is and all she said is because the infection is in the bone. And yet the Internet has some reports of very aggressive antibiotic treatment to kill that kind of infection. The vet is worried about sepsis which is an organ failure of sorts that is a terrible way to die. And yet Sally seems so content with life right now. I think I will try and consult a specialist on Monday with the idea that if she is going into sepsis, she can be euthanized.

 

[Dani loves ducks]

I hope all goes well tomorrow.

Sally is fine! I am over the moon. The second vet put her 10 days of antibiotics and says she is an otherwise happy, healthy duck. Thank God I didn't listen to the first vet!!!!!

 

[Dani loves ducks]

If you've removed pus/debris previously and it's still this swollen, it's likely still got some trapped in there. What antibiotics were you using? She may need something stronger then you can give her.

If you can I'd see an avian vet. That looks like a very severe infection, and she may lose her leg if it stays like that for an extended period of time.

Thanks for the reply. The earliest I can get into the vet is May 18 and we have an appointment. I hope she can hang in there until then. I’ll just keep doing the Epson salt baths and the physical therapy. I am amazed how determined she is to walk on that leg. At least she seems to remain in good spirits eating and drinking and enjoying her baths.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Thank you for asking! She is doing great! We go to a farm animal vet on Thursday. It's the closest I'm going to get as far as finding an avain specialist. He said he's willing to proceed with antibiotic treatment in order to try something. I hope he feels the same way after examining her and seeing her x-ray. She has a dislocated leg at the infection site, so we'll see. At least I can have peace that I'm getting a second opinion and in the mean time, she is enjoying her life. She manages her leg well and continues to eat, drink, swim (when I put her in the pool, daily) and i dig her up fresh worms every day. Fingers crossed for Thursday!

So glad she's doing good! Please keep us updated. We're all rooting for her!

 

[Dani loves ducks]

T

So glad she's doing good! Please keep us updated. We're all rooting for her!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!! Will do! I so appreciate the words of encouragement!

 

[Dani loves ducks]

I AM THRILLED TO REPORT THAT THE SECOND VET SAID THAT SALLY IS A HEALTHY DUCK!!! He says that no way would he have put her down because she is alert. Sally in on oral antibiotic (Baytril) for the next ten days. This vet sees many ducks/chickens and says that Sally will live with her leg the way it is. And I can't be happier to hear this news!!!! And Harry, Sally's husband, is thrilled!!!!
Yay Sally! I appreciate all the support and comments here. It was here that getting a second opinion was recommended (after the first vet had said to euthanize her.)_ Thank you sooooo much!!!

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I AM THRILLED TO REPORT THAT THE SECOND VET SAID THAT SALLY IS A HEALTHY DUCK!!! He says that no way would he have put her down because she is alert. Sally in on oral antibiotic (Baytril) for the next ten days. This vet sees many ducks/chickens and says that Sally will live with her leg the way it is. And I can't be happier to hear this news!!!! And Harry, Sally's husband, is thrilled!!!!
Yay Sally! I appreciate all the support and comments here. It was here that getting a second opinion was recommended (after the first vet had said to euthanize her.)_ Thank you sooooo much!!!

I am so excited for you!! I'm so so happy the second vet is going to help her.

From what you said the first time something just didn't seem right to me that the vet would euth her out of the gate without even trying anything. So glad you got a positive outcome.

I hope Sally continues to improve and heals up quick!