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.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Dani loves ducks]

Oh and the antibiotics we used were a general amoxycillin for five days orally. Maybe she needs an injection? I hope the vet can help her.

 

[Dani loves ducks]

I took Sally to the vet and they took an xray. The vet reports the infection has gone into her bone and she says it is very aggressive. She told me the infection is untreatable and that euthanasia is the humane thing to do. I'm absolutely heartbroken. I have her scheduled for Tuesday, and in the meantime she is on an anti-inflammatory. I'm giving her lots of pool time. And I'm digging up worms for her to eat to enjoy her last days with her mate, Harry. I am so, so sad. I asked the vet about amputation, but she discouraged it. Does anyone out there have any words of either comfort or information for me? She is such a strong duck. But the very last thing I want is for her to suffer. I won't allow that. She came to me with this infection and I tried everything I could for her. But it was too late, or so I've been told. Does anyone have experience with bone infections and or amputations? Thank you!

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Sending you lots of love! Unfortunately I think the vet is right on this one. Just know you have given her the most loving final days

 

[Dani loves ducks]

Aw, thank you so much. I appreciate your kindness. It's so difficult to switch from helping her recover over to just helping her stya comfortable. And it's really breaking my heart that her mate, Harry, is going to lose her.

 

[Dani loves ducks]

Sending you lots of love! Unfortunately I think the vet is right on this one. Just know you have given her the most loving final days

I appreciate your kind words. I need to hear that the vet is right or I will wonder "what if?" for a long time. Her mate, Harry, will grieve her. They are bonded. And I need to bring him some friends, or he will be all alone after Tuesday. I have the opportunity to get two female Muscovys.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

So, I'm absolutely not trying to give you false hope or anything here. But I wanted to let you know my experience.

I rescued a duck many many years ago that we dubbed 'Hoppy'. She was a young Pekin duck that was either born without/or lost her leg to an injury. She was the happiest duck I've ever seen. She sped around the yard like nobodies business, flew, swam, and did everything the other ducks did.

During the winter she needed a little more help, but she absolutely had a great life. She lived to be 8-9 (I can't remember exactly, it was so long ago!) before a predator attack.

Your duck may adapt perfectly fine to having just the one leg. I know a lot of others on here have had roosters and hens with only 1 leg.

As long as she isn't suffering, or currently in pain, I would possibly consult another vet just for another opinion before you make a final verdict. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you and her!

 

[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.