Foot Loss in Duck!

[Dreamchasers5]

Hello.
We have a muscovy duck who has been losing her feet. She lost one foot in the winter, and we thought maybe frostbite. This morning, the other foot was gone and her legs seem to be getting shorter. She is eating, drinking and tries to get around by hobbling and using her wings. Our ducks are like farm pets, so we don't use them for meat. She is a sweet thing and we'd like to know what's causing this. She is acting normally and doesn't run from us. Anyone know about this?
Thanks.

 

[blurryface]

I have had a similiar thing happen with both of my indian runner ducks. I have researched everywhere and no one can tell me what caused it. I thought I was the only who experiences something terrifying like this. The vet had no clue because my ducks were otherwise very healthy. I was told it could just be a genetic disorder..

 

[Amiga]

So, overnight the foot is gone? One day fine, next day gone? Do they swim in a pond? Is there blood loss?

I would think that a lab could do some kind of exam to see if you have a bacterial infection going on. Have you tried treating it at all?

Are they on or around perennial rye grass pasture?

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1647/2009-051.1?journalCode=avms

 

[casportpony]

Wow, good find!

-Kathy

 

[Amiga]

There is also something in humans called ischemic necrosis, or avascular necrosis. This is necrosis (tissue death) due to lack of oxygen - blocked blood vessels can cause this. It would make sense that something similar could happen to ducks.