Duck toenail, limping, help!

Hate to ask this...but you mentioned the nail is soft. Is it to the point that it is trying to come off? Like Miss Lydia said it could be the cause.
If he caught his nail and pulled it backward then that maybe what's causing all of this and maybe just some soaks in ES will do the trick. Lets hope that's all it is.
 
Have you actually run your finger over all the skin on his foot? could have a splinter or thorn? or small cut? do you have Epsom salts? if you do put a cup into a small container with warm water and soak his feet yes both of them because it's too hard to do one. and using a small bucket or dish pan will keep him from drinking the water which has laxative effects. soak for as long as he'll let you and do it as often as you can at least 1X a time if you don't feel anything on the foot pad then it has to infection of some kind to have the foot swelled up like you say. I do know ES is good for swelling and inflammation. But going to get an antibiotic probably would be a good idea to have it on hand if you don't notice any change for the better by end of day. can you post a pic of his foot. and is his leg affected at all? you mentioned his one nail? does it look infected? maybe that's the problem.
I gave mine erythromycin but it only worked so long so I'm trying cephalxin. Mine has grey and black tender spots on shins
 
She's passed it to the other ducks but not as bad. Is it too cold?? 20 degrees F?
 

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Honestly if he is still eating and drinking normally I would just confine his movements and watch him, most of the time the ducks normal high body temp does great job at fighting off infections. If you see signs that his health is deteriorating then you may want to step in with some antibiotics. If you want to get some just to have available should you need them you can get Penicillin G and/or FishMox (amoxicillin for fish). The PenG is injectable and you can get at feed stores, TSC for instance, and FishMox you would most likely have to order online. Or obviously find a vet if there is one local.
If it is hurting him I am sure he would find a way to let you know when you touch it, like snatching his foot away or biting at you.
We had a little girl get a large, deep ragged cut just above her leg. All we did for her was to trim the feathers, put neosporin (non-medicated) on it and keep her contained. She completely healed on her own. Ducks are very resilient.
 
Night temps went to 28 degrees F and she spread this to her buddies.
 

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