Duck suddenly stops using one leg! Help!

[SaxonyDuckLover]

I have a 5 year old Saxony drake named Waddles. He is always very energetic and eats well. I have currently been treating some swollen pads on the bottom of his feet. The swelling has gone down, and he seemed fine. Two days ago, I opened his pen to let him out, along with my female 5 year old Saxony, and he didn't come out. He completely stopped using his right leg, which was the one that was healing better, and it seemed fine when prodded. It was limp, however, and did not respond to my touch. He is still eating and drinking fine, along with normal droppings. Yesterday, he could limp, barely, but can swim around, only using one leg. I am unable to get a vet at this time, and am wondering if there isn't any way to treat him myself. Thank you.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Can you post pictures of his legs and his feet? Top and bottom side.
If you touch his legs, do they feel warm? They should be cold to the touch, if they are warm (and swollen) he is fighting an infection and should be treated with antibiotics (FishMox) basap. Other than that, have him take a warm bath, examine his legs and feet for injuries and swellings.
And pictures, pictures, pictures! We can only help if we see the patient!

 

[SaxonyDuckLover]

He has swellings on the bottom of his feet. While treating, he has been waddling okay, this lameness was sudden.

The pictures with the black scab is the left foot and the one without it is the right foot. The foot is somewhat warm.

I've never owned ducks before and am not familiar with lameness, so advice is very helpful, thank you!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

That black scab looks like bumblefoot to me. Soaking the foot in a warm epsom salt bath and clean out the pus if possible. And i would start with antibiotics basap! Warm feet or legs are a bad sign with ducks.
@Miss Lydia , @Soon2BChixMom , @casportpony

 

[SaxonyDuckLover]

Thank you! Can you please give me a link to antibiotics to get? Also, how do I clean out the pus?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Sorry, was in town…

You can order the antibiotics online, for example @ eBay I'm not sure if the local farm stores (TSC, RK) have them. You can also ask at your local pharmacy if they have some expired Amoxicillin (for humans), if you explain them that it is for your sick duck they might give it to you for free. Amoxicillin only!

The bumblefoot treatment is relatively simple but takes a long time: Soak Duck-foot in epsom-salt solution, remove the scab, dig out the puss (yuck!), apply a spray disinfectant (Alcohol, Iodine, H2O2, …) and keep your duck separate in a clean space so that no dirt or feces get into that hole. Some People bandage their ducks feet or buy them boots.
Lot's of threads for bumblefoot here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=bumblefoot treatment&tab=618

Fortunately my ducks were spared from that pest so far, so my advices are all theoretical.