Duck with swollen foot!

[Skyler vaughan]

One of my ducks has been battling with swelling on her feet for months now, we have used all sorts of methods; poultices, epsom salt baths, massaging, antibiotics, but nothing seems to work. There is often a head on the lump but sometimes the lump will disappear and come up on the other foot. At first I thought it was bumblefoot but it never seemed to "spread" like I've seen it on my chickens. She was in pain a couple months ago but now she doesn't seem so bothered, I've still been bathing her feet in epsom salt just to keep it clean but it doesn't seem to be helping.

It went away for 2 weeks or so and now there's another lump and her foot is warm, she is waddling lopsided so I expect shes in discomfort, but she's at the average weight and is eating/drinking perfectly fine.

Does anyone know what this could be?

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Have you tried Lugols solution on the lump?

 

[Isaac 0]

Is a vet an option?
Do you have any pictures of the foot?
Is there any sort of discoloration on the foot?
What kind of antibiotics did you use, at what dose, and for how long?

 

[Skyler vaughan]

Have you tried Lugols solution on the lump?

never heard of it, I'll research to see if I can get it.

 

[Isaac 0]

A swelled foot is likely to be the result of an injury or infection of the leg; a topical solution such as Lugols Iodine will help eliminate superficial contaminants but will do little at penetrating into the tissue. If you want proper help, more information should be provided.

Is a vet an option?
Do you have any pictures of the foot?
Is there any sort of discoloration on the foot?
What kind of antibiotics did you use, at what dose, and for how long?

 

[Pollo Blanco]

a topical solution such as Lugols Iodine will help eliminate superficial contaminants but will do little at penetrating into the tissue.

Spoken by someone who has never used Lugols solution before.

 

[Isaac 0]

Spoken by someone who has never used Lugols solution before.

With infections inside the leg, very few, (likely none) topical solutions or ointments are going to fulfill the penetration action we need for progressed leg infections (exp, osteomyelitis). Topical solutions may be valid for superficial infections, but in cases of deep infections, one would want systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. I was unable to find any literature pertaining to Lugol's iodine use in treating progressed leg infections - if you have any links, I'd be glad to look!

 

[Skyler vaughan]

A swelled foot is likely to be the result of an injury or infection of the leg; a topical solution such as Lugols Iodine will help eliminate superficial contaminants but will do little at penetrating into the tissue. If you want proper help, more information should be provided.

So sorry for the late reply! I'm back at college so I'm very busy.

No unfortunately a vet isn't an option, here are some photos of the foot, it's hard to tell if there's discoloration because she likes to run around in the mud, I can't use any antibiotics because we don't have access to them that are safe for ducks.

The only good news is the swelling has gone down but today I noticed this hard lump on her foot! I'm quite worried but when I felt around her leg she didn't seem to be in pain when I gently applied pressure. She's been able to swim and isn't on concrete, do you know what this could be? And how I could treat it? (please consider money is an issue and I can't visit the vet)

 

[Skyler vaughan]

Have you tried Lugols solution on the lump?

I can't find any near me?? All the poultry sections don't have it but I could buy it online. What does it do and how will it help her?

 

[Ratchnick]

That is kind of a weird lump, but it looks pretty good. Not terribly worrying. Your options are:
1, apply a topical product
2, cut into it
3, leave it alone.