Duck with Broken Foot

[Miss Lydia]

I haven't shared this with anyone yet, but a few weeks ago I found a duckling that the geese or drakes got a hold of and it had a nasty, open (bone sticking out) fracture of it's tibia. It was filthy, so I cleaned it he best I I could, trimmed some of bone off and splinted it straight, like you would with a human leg, but that didn't work, so ended up taping the leg and foot up against it's body and left it like that for about 10 days. After ten days I unwrapped it and noticed the foot was starting to curl and the hock joint was stiff, but I figured there weren't too many options, so I re-taped it. Not sure how long I kept it taped, maybe a total of 4 weeks, but keeping it like that the bone did heal, albeit crooked, lol. Anyway, when I removed the tape the foot was curled and she had range of motion in her hock was next to nothing, but after about a week she was almost 100% normal.

Guess what I'm trying to say is that I think a duck sitting still in one place will eventually recover if the bones can heal.

-Kathy

Awesome K thanks for the encouragement, and ideas, what do you think of the sling option?

 

[casportpony]

I haven't shared this with anyone yet, but a few weeks ago I found a duckling that the geese or drakes got a hold of and it had a nasty, open (bone sticking out) fracture of it's tibia. It was filthy, so I cleaned it he best I I could, trimmed some of bone off and splinted it straight, like you would with a human leg, but that didn't work, so ended up taping the leg and foot up against it's body and left it like that for about 10 days. After ten days I unwrapped it and noticed the foot was starting to curl and the hock joint was stiff, but I figured there weren't too many options, so I re-taped it. Not sure how long I kept it taped, maybe a total of 4 weeks, but keeping it like that the bone did heal, albeit crooked, lol. Anyway, when I removed the tape the foot was curled and she had range of motion in her hock was next to nothing, but after about a week she was almost 100% normal.


Guess what I'm trying to say is that I think a duck sitting still in one place will eventually recover if the bones can heal.


-Kathy

Awesome K thanks for the encouragement, and ideas,  what do you think of the sling option?

I like the sling option if it the duck will stay still in it and keep weight off of the fractured foot.

-Kathy

 

[mskupcake]

Thanks so much all of you! Great stuff! I am so blessed to have found you!

 

[Amiga]

Please keep us updated - we learn and share and learn and share.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@mskupcake How is your duck doing?

 

[mskupcake]

Well, we have been back to the vet the bones have not healed. She has nerve damage but not sure to what extent yet. Her circulation has come back the foot stays pretty warm now but she can't spread her toes at all, that's were the nerve damage comes in. I have taken a finger splint & created a splint for her that doesn't cover any of her toes because she was trying to use the foot & it swelled really bad. I did make her one of those walker things you sent me but she hates it lol.
I am doing some therapy on her leg above the broken foot bone to keep strength & movement good. She is getting a nice warm bath daily & some vitamins.
Vet said with the bones being crushed it could take 6 weeks to 6 months to heal if they ever heal completely.
So right now she is just being a spoiled little angel.

 

[Amiga]

See if you can find some T-Relief ointment. It is supposed to help healing. Or you can make a comfrey and St. John's wort salve.

 

[mskupcake]

Here is her splint I made

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, we have been back to the vet the bones have not healed. She has nerve damage but not sure to what extent yet. Her circulation has come back the foot stays pretty warm now but she can't spread her toes at all, that's were the nerve damage comes in. I have taken a finger splint & created a splint for her that doesn't cover any of her toes because she was trying to use the foot & it swelled really bad. I did make her one of those walker things you sent me but she hates it lol.
I am doing some therapy on her leg above the broken foot bone to keep strength & movement good. She is getting a nice warm bath daily & some vitamins.
Vet said with the bones being crushed it could take 6 weeks to 6 months to heal if they ever heal completely.
So right now she is just being a spoiled little angel.

Thank you for updating. Gosh she truly is being loved and cared for. I hope it makes a big difference and you see her up and walking well before the 6months is up. She may not be 100% but still be able to get around and be a happy duck. Please keep us updated.. I think those walker things take time to get use to. maybe once healing begins she'll use it that way she can get around some on her own.

 

[mskupcake]

Her little walker