Duck acting lethargic and hardly eating

[firenkyo]

This is a recent discussion on bumblefoot:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-questions.1504073/#post-25187175

You can get veterinary antibiotics from Tractor Supply Inc. and perhaps feed stores near you. Or on line. Always give them orally.

May people treat with epson salt soaks until the infection comes out -- if it is scabbed the scab needs to soak off -- and neosporin triple ointment . You can buy that in supermarket pharmacies -- the neosporin is mixed with two other antibiotics but you want the one that has the largest proportion of neosporin. Then hte foot has to be wrapped to keep it clean until it has healed. Duck booties are expensive and there is often a waiting list to buy them. So you can use a non-stick dressing with micropore tape and then fashion a shoe to hold it in place from duct tape

@Miss Lydia
@Crazy Maizie

Thanks for the link! I just checked her feet/legs again, and didn't notice anything off (nothing significantly swollen, not hot or responding poorly), and she's not limping anymore when she stands up. But she just seems really weak, and I saw that the niacin deficiency symptoms can include walking poorly and being weak. I'm going to keep an eye on her legs though, and try to get her to eat some niacin supplements.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

This doesn't sound like a niacin deficiency. But, if there is swelling, she could have an infection. The poop looks a little green for not eating much. Maybe just let her relax for a bit to see if she will eat on her own. Is she used to being separated? She might need a buddy to make her feel more comfortable. Can you set up a space for her just to chill in for a bit. Sometimes these leg issues go away on their own once they can relax and stay off of it. If the swelling is hot to the touch, I'd definitely seek out a vet. Not eating is a little concerning.
@Quatie gives great advice about tube feeding if needed.

 

[firenkyo]

This doesn't sound like a niacin deficiency. But, if there is swelling, she could have an infection. The poop looks a little green for not eating much. Maybe just let her relax for a bit to see if she will eat on her own. Is she used to being separated? She might need a buddy to make her feel more comfortable. Can you set up a space for her just to chill in for a bit. Sometimes these leg issues go away on their own once they can relax and stay off of it. If the swelling is hot to the touch, I'd definitely seek out a vet. Not eating is a little concerning.
@Quatie gives great advice about tube feeding if needed.

Thanks for responding!
I've got her sister Daisy up with her. She was mostly eating small pieces of lettuce (one of her fav foods), so that might be why it's green. Thankfully there's no hot spots that I can feel. I've got her up in the "recovery room" (a bathroom that we never use except for animals), and she's in a little nest of straw. Should I keep Daisy up with her? Daisy is a lot more active while Daffy is chilling in her nest mostly.
I think I might try to go eat some lunch at let her rest alone for a bit while I do my homework. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Thanks for responding!
I've got her sister Daisy up with her. She was mostly eating small pieces of lettuce (one of her fav foods), so that might be why it's green. Thankfully there's no hot spots that I can feel. I've got her up in the "recovery room" (a bathroom that we never use except for animals), and she's in a little nest of straw. Should I keep Daisy up with her? Daisy is a lot more active while Daffy is chilling in her nest mostly.
I think I might try to go eat some lunch at let her rest alone for a bit while I do my homework. Thanks for your advice!

I would keep her pal with her, ducks enjoy companionship and it might help her to eat a bit more.
What is her normal feed?

 

[Quatie]

This sounds like a typical leg injury. Take a picture of the tops and bottom of feet to rule out bumblefoot.

Leg injuries from mating or just other accidental causes will cause inflammation at the injury and usually is hot. This does not mean it is infected, but it is a possibility. I treat mine with ibuprofen to help with the inflammation and pain. I can give you dose for it if you decide to use it. I would start weighing your duck and keeping an eye on how her keel feels. If she drops too much weight, she will need to be tube feed.

Here is how to judge by the keel :
http://www.poultrydvm.com/topics/poultry-body-condition-score-charts

Ducks with leg injuries need rest and water therapy in deep water. I would recommend water therapy a couple times a day. It doesn't need to be long. The deep water will help take weight off the injury and give some relief and allow the injury to heal.

Other things that could be going on are septic arthritis or slipped tendon.

 

[firenkyo]

This sounds like a typical leg injury. Take a picture of the tops and bottom of feet to rule out bumblefoot.

Leg injuries from mating or just other accidental causes will cause inflammation at the injury and usually is hot. This does not mean it is infected, but it is a possibility. I treat mine with ibuprofen to help with the inflammation and pain. I can give you dose for it if you decide to use it. I would start weighing your duck and keeping an eye on how her keel feels. If she drops too much weight, she will need to be tube feed.

Here is how to judge by the keel :
http://www.poultrydvm.com/topics/poultry-body-condition-score-charts

Ducks with leg injuries need rest and water therapy in deep water. I would recommend water therapy a couple times a day. It doesn't need to be long. The deep water will help take weight off the injury and give some relief and allow the injury to heal.

Other things that could be going on are septic arthritis or slipped tendon.

Here are her feet, she also kinda just flopped herself down after I put her in her nest

 

[Quatie]

Here are her feet, she also kinda just flopped herself down after I put her in her nest

Her feet look good to me. I don't notice any scabs or lumps on the feet. I would rule out bumblefoot.

 

[firenkyo]

Her feet look good to me. I don't notice any scabs or lumps on the feet. I would rule out bumblefoot.

Ok, that’s good at least! So just resting and waiting would be good?

 

[firenkyo]

I would keep her pal with her, ducks enjoy companionship and it might help her to eat a bit more.
What is her normal feed?

Blue Seal Grow and Show pellets. I’ve mixed in some peas, mealworms, and hard boiled egg yolk to make it more appetizing for her but she’s still not interested. I’m going to leave them alone for about an hour then come check back

 

[firenkyo]

Here they are right now, it’s quite a mess so I plan to clean it before I go back to my dorm