Duckling foot problem :(

[DaYooper_Duck]

My duckling started to show the foot 'cracks' a couple of days ago, as well as possible inflammation and scabbing on both feet.

The duck is still active, eating, no limp. What could have caused this? How should I treat it?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Bumble foot. It's caused by a small cut getting infected resulting in a staph infection. Soak the foot in an epsom salt bath then thoroughly cover with an antibiotic ointment (Veticeryn or plain Neosporin WITHOUT pain relief) and keep the foot wrapped. That should soften it up over the next several days and allow you to get it out with tweezers. If it progresses you may need to perform a bumblefoot surgery with a scalpel to completely remove the core. By the looks of it, it also appears to be in all of the toes as well which means you might need to start your duckling on antibiotic. Issac0 would be the best one to ask in that regard.

 

[DaYooper_Duck]

Bumble foot. It's caused by a small cut getting infected resulting in a staph infection. Soak the foot in an epsom salt bath then thoroughly cover with an antibiotic ointment (Veticeryn or plain Neosporin WITHOUT pain relief) and keep the foot wrapped. That should soften it up over the next several days and allow you to get it out with tweezers. If it progresses you may need to perform a bumblefoot surgery with a scalpel to completely remove the core. By the looks of it, it also appears to be in all of the toes as well which means you might need to start your duckling on antibiotic. Issac0 would be the best one to ask in that regard.

Thing is, it doesn't actually have a defined welt or core. Each foot sore is also nearly identical to the other, and I have never herd of that with bumblefoot. The sores are literally cracks in his feet, in the same place on either foot. I will try the epsom salt, but I do not have Neosporin, or any other ointments on hand.

 

[DaYooper_Duck]

@Isaac 0

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thing is, it doesn't actually have a defined welt or core. Each foot sore is also nearly identical to the other, and I have never herd of that with bumblefoot. The sores are literally cracks in his feet, in the same place on either foot. I will try the epsom salt, but I do not have Neosporin, or any other ointments on hand.

Bumble foot doesn't have to have a welt or core initially at all. There are different stages of bumblefoot and with the more severity of the infection comes the core. http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/bumblefoot

 

[Isaac 0]

I don't directly see Bumblefoot from the photos, but I do see some flaking which could subsequently result in an infection, by providing the bacteria (most likely of the staphylococcus species" a gateway to enter into the flesh. Since she is so young, I would guess that there is a buildup of feces in her pen area, or the substrate is very rough. If there is a management error, it should be corrected, or the problem will likely occur.

It's so minor, just correcting whatever might be causing the problem could suffice as far as treatment. Or you could, slather the foot with an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin, and bandage for a few days. Soaking the foot in an Epsom salt water solution may help kill off any bacteria. Since it's so minor, I don't think an antibiotic would be needed.

Do you have any pictures of what you're keeping them in?

 

[DaYooper_Duck]

Ok, so I just finished the fourth 5-minute epsom salt soak in 2 days. I also cleaned both feet with an old toothbrush, and put a few drops of diluted tea tree oil on the sores. I tried to wrap the feet last night, but I dont have any vet wrap, so it didn't turn out so well.
The duck is on a hay/straw combination for bedding, and it likes to hang out by it's feed and water station alot of the time, causing poo to build up there fast, so your feces theory makes sense. I included a pic of the brooder setup within my coop. This baby was the sole survivor of the latest hatch. (Ordered 6 eggs; 2 were infertile, 1 I dropped, 1 quitter, and one died mysteriously 2 days post hatch)

 

[Isaac 0]

Ok, so I just finished the fourth 5-minute epsom salt soak in 2 days. I also cleaned both feet with an old toothbrush, and put a few drops of diluted tea tree oil on the sores. I tried to wrap the feet last night, but I dont have any vet wrap, so it didn't turn out so well.
The duck is on a hay/straw combination for bedding, and it likes to hang out by it's feed and water station alot of the time, causing poo to build up there fast, so your feces theory makes sense. I included a pic of the brooder setup within my coop. This baby was the sole survivor of the latest hatch. (Ordered 6 eggs; 2 were infertile, 1 I dropped, 1 quitter, and one died mysteriously 2 days post hatch)
View attachment 2369883

If you figure out the "feces accumulation problem" that will help exponentially with the problem.

 

[DaYooper_Duck]

If you figure out the "feces accumulation problem" that will help exponentially with the problem.

Thank you! I will be checking the bedding twice a day from here on out, cleaning the brooder as needed. I really appreciate your help!

 

[Isaac 0]

Thank you! I will be checking the bedding twice a day from here on out, cleaning the brooder as needed. I really appreciate your help!

Keep us posted on how she does.