duck with a limp

[geosheets]

I've got a mandarin duck that has developed a limp. Not sure if pics will do any good but I'm gonna try it. She (I think) will walk on it but limps. It apparently hurts her to put weight on it. She holds her right leg forward and holds it off the ground when on land. I thought that maybe she had injured the leg and couldn't tuck it back but, the more I watch her, I think it may be in her actual foot. She does hold the foot back when she swims but doesn't appear to be using it to help her swim. Anyways, I've taken pictures of her foot because there seems to be a large lump around the heel part. I was going to try to catch her and compare to the other foot but I didn't want her to do more damage trying to evade me... she is a mandarin and they are very skittish. Anyways, it's her right foot, let me know your thoughts. Thanks

 

[FenDruadin]

Hello,

I can't speak for your specific situation, but ducks will often heal if left well enough alone. If you're very concerned, you can isolate her in an area where she can't move around very much, and give her lots of TLC (and protection from the elements) until it appears to have healed. Or you can confine her outdoors in a pen where she can move around but where there are no obstacles (like rocks and changes in level), and where she can't move around *a lot*.

Ducks are unfortunately very prone to leg injuries and sorness and sometimes even infections. From the pictures, she doesn't look infected--she probably pulled a muscle or tore a ligament or some other minor, but painful, injury. I personally would just give it time (and maybe some mild confinement) and keep an eye on it. If it develops to the point where she isn't walking/eating/drinking, then you'll need to bring her in and confine her and feed & water her, but usually these things tend to heal on their own.

Keep us updated,

Heather

 

[ChickBond 007]

Looks like "Bumblefoot" to me.

Here's a pic of one of mine with Bumblefoot

She limped and the bumblefoot (a form a staph infection) never turned black/nasty, but if they do, it is very bad. Search "bumblefoot" and review the treatment suggested. Good Luck

 

[geosheets]

Quote:
I'll keep an eye on her but I don't see anything like that on her foot. To me, her heel and lower leg look a little swollen but that's all I see right now.

 

[geosheets]

Quote:
She is in an outdoor pen with 9 other mandarins. I'll watch her and may isolate her if she's gets worse or even stays the same. We'll see what the next few days brings. Thanks

 

[rainplace]

Maybe look through this thread that I started a bit ago, lots of people were having limping problems then and piped up:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=217224

 

[geosheets]

Thanks for all the info and advice. I left her in the pen with the others and today she seems to be getting better. She's a little more trusting of the leg and I saw her stretch it back real good. She's still limping but is moving faster and bearing more weight on it. Still eating and drinking just fine (never was an issue) so I think it may just fix itself.