Duck is better but still need advice

[Starling5767]

The Pekin duck I found is doing better but not completely well yet. My original post is here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-cant-walk-one-swollen-foot-and-leg.1517779/

The first picture is what she looked like when I first found her. Second pic is how she looks today. Third pic is my concern. The ankle is still really swollen. The bottom both feet are free of bumble. A quick summary of what i did for her: I had her on antibiotics for 10 days, soaked her daily in epsom salts, removing the bumble scabs after each soaking. Sprayed with vetericyn, applied neosporin and drawing salve. Wrapped foot, treated for feather mites and added nutritional yeast to her food. After the scabby stuff on her feet cleared up I stopped with the epsom soaks. I have been allowing her to swim on the days it's warm enough. The swimming seems to help. She now swims with both feet, whereas in the beginning the bad (swollen) food just trailed behind her. Any suggestions of what I should try next ?

 

[Aunt Angus]

The Pekin duck I found is doing better but not completely well yet. My original post is here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-cant-walk-one-swollen-foot-and-leg.1517779/
View attachment 3064284View attachment 3064285View attachment 3064286
The first picture is what she looked like when I first found her. Second pic is how she looks today. Third pic is my concern. The ankle is still really swollen. The bottom both feet are free of bumble. A quick summary of what i did for her: I had her on antibiotics for 10 days, soaked her daily in epsom salts, removing the bumble scabs after each soaking. Sprayed with vetericyn, applied neosporin and drawing salve. Wrapped foot, treated for feather mites and added nutritional yeast to her food. After the scabby stuff on her feet cleared up I stopped with the epsom soaks. I have been allowing her to swim on the days it's warm enough. The swimming seems to help. She now swims with both feet, whereas in the beginning the bad (swollen) food just trailed behind her. Any suggestions of what I should try next ?

Does her foot feel hot, like it's infected?

 

[Starling5767]

It is warmer than the other foot but not hot like was at first.

 

[ruthhope]

Can you show us a photograph of the underneath of that foot? From what you have said, I think you haven't drained the pus from the bumble. Did the vet incise and drain the pus?

I am not a vet, but in humans an abscess can heal with antibiotics, but if the abscess is not drained there is a chance that the pus remains inside in a lump, an "antibioma", a "hard swelling containing sterile pus caused by the long-term use of antibiotics to treat an abscess that should have been opened and emptied."

If the bumble was not drained, I think it still needs to be drained now

 

[Starling5767]

It was not drained. The vet told me that there was nothing much he could do for it, to his credit though, he's not an "exotic" vet, just doing me a favor. The nearest exotic vet is an hour away. I am at work now but will get a pic of the bottom of the food tonight.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have successfully treated a nasty bumble without incision. I used tricide neo, which is a product made for koi. I am not keen on opening duck feet (although I know there are times when it's necessary) because of how messy ducks are. Tricide neo is a powder you mix with distilled water to make a solution in which you soak the duck's foot. I would fill a bowl with a couple of inches of water and hold my duck in the bowl for 10 mins every night for a couple of weeks. It might be something you can try.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Here's a link to where I purchased it, in case you're interested:
https://www.koiacres.com/featured/tricide-neo.html

 

[Starling5767]

Thank you for the link. I would like to try that first. I'm not wild about doing a "surgery" and would like to avoid it, if at all possible.

How much of the powder do you put in the water for each treatment ?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you for the link. I would like to try that first. I'm not wild about doing a "surgery" and would like to avoid it, if at all possible.

How much of the powder do you put in the water for each treatment ?

There are directions on the package. I think the small envelope = 1 gallon and the larger = 5.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And I only need a few cups each treatment. It lasts for a while.