Duck lost her back nail!!

BelovedBirds

Crossing the Road
Nov 8, 2021
7,266
19,595
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England
(First time duck mum here)
Today while trimming their nails a bit, I noticed my duck has lost almost her entire back nail!!
I hadn't noticed before today, and I spend A LOT of time with them so I am confident it is fairly recent- I suspect it happened while they were outdoors as I cannot imagine how else it broke off.
They live indoors currently as spoiled pets, hence why they needed their nails trimmed, they havent been worn down much even with trips outdoors- but I want to make it clear that this isnt a permanent arrangement- we're currently building a spacious outdoor pen and duck house for them, we're just currently predator proofing everything. I expect them to go out during the next week or two.

Anyway, I noticed today, and got photos to ask for opinions- if any treatment is required.
Their pen is always fairly clean and they spend lots of time out and about and in the bath, so I'm not too worried about the risk of infection. I also have duck nappies which they could wear to keep everything even cleaner.
I'm not certain if it's infected, I don't think it is- it isnt warm or anything, but there is a slight swelling/bump on one side (maybe just from when it was injured?). The tip looks darker, which is where the little nail stub is. It's all closed up and there's no bleeding, and hasnt been any bleeding that I have seen at all- so it must have healed fairly quickly. She doesn't seem in pain. Does it look okay? Healing up?
Should I treat with something? Or just keep everything clean?
I feel like such a bad duck mum for not noticing until now 😣
 

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That happened to my duck 7 years ago. She was pretty shy at that point so I just did nothing and watched from afar. The nail grew back - though at an odd angle. She's now 8 years old and still laying eggs so I think it's ok!
bless her! I'm glad she's okay!
Spright isnt shy, but I doubt she'd be happy with me fussing over it too much lol
So Im just going to leave it be, and check again every day to make sure it looks fine.
Hopefully it grows back alright! It's just a tiny tiny little stub of a nail now, poor girl
 
An update:
I think her nail has started to regrow- I was worried this morning as I thought it looked a little swollen-
But it may have been my imagination?
I figured I'd take some photos and see if you all think it looks to be mending?

If it does look a little swollen, or not how it should now, should I soak her feet in some warm epsom salt water, or? It feels soft, pretty much the same as her other toe! It looks red in the second photo, but that's just a camera fault, in person it looks paler.
I know I worry too much, I just love my girls so much!!
 

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An update:
I think her nail has started to regrow- I was worried this morning as I thought it looked a little swollen-
But it may have been my imagination?
I figured I'd take some photos and see if you all think it looks to be mending?

If it does look a little swollen, or not how it should now, should I soak her feet in some warm epsom salt water, or? It feels soft, pretty much the same as her other toe! It looks red in the second photo, but that's just a camera fault, in person it looks paler.
I know I worry too much, I just love my girls so much!!
I understand worrying. I'm pretty enamored myself

I think that's how my duck's nail looked growing back. It appeared softer for a while. It was also smaller than the other side for about a year and fell off again at one point.

I'm sure a salt bath wouldn't hurt as keeping it clean must be a good thing. Just don't let your duck drink the water - easier said than done - as it can have a laxative result. You could also dab a little antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin, on it. Just make sure there is no pain relievers in in, nothing that ends in caine.
 
My poor girl has managed to break her other nail this morning! She had a long cuddle while I held a paper towel to stop the bleeding, and then I lightly sprayed it with vetericyn. It bled quite a lot but is drying up now.
 

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My poor girl has managed to break her other nail this morning! She had a long cuddle while I held a paper towel to stop the bleeding, and then I lightly sprayed it with vetericyn. It bled quite a lot but is drying up now.
Poor girl. I have had a few break their back claw as well
One wouldn’t stop bleeding and I had to take him to the vet to get it cauterized
Really wish they didn’t even have them to be honest
 

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