Found a duck. She can't walk, one swollen foot and leg

[Starling5767]

I found a Pekin duck today while I was on my walk. She can't walk. One of her legs is very swollen in the joint just above the foot. And the leg is slightly swollen too. The other leg looks good but she can't use it. She was moving by flapping her wings on the ground (if that makes sense) I think she has been this way a while because her wing feathers are very short. I have taken her home, put her in an unused duck house with a run. She settled right into the fresh shavings and when I gave her food and water went for it eagerly. If anyone has any suggestions of what I can do for her it would be most appreciated. I will do everything I can to save her. If there was a vet in my area that helps ducks I would take her to the vet, but unfortunately I am in a very small town and the vet here will not look at "exotics". Thank you in advance for any help/suggestions to help save her life.

 

[Starling5767]

Oh, I forgot. One of my neighbors told me that she saw one of the neighborhood roosters attacking her. Not sure if that is relevant but I thought worth a mention.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

@MGG @Miss Lydia

 

[Battlepants]

I would probably check her over for puncture wounds or things embedded in the skin of that leg. Also, without applying much force, is the joint able to move at all? (effectively testing if the joint is locked or the muscle is just not even trying to move it)

Beyond that, pictures may help figure this one out.

 

[Starling5767]

Ok, thank you. I will get some pictures tomorrow. This happened right before dusk and it is pretty much dark her now. I just checked on her and she is sleeping with her head tucked under her wing. I'll get some pics before I go to work and post them to this thread.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes pictures can tell us alot. And if you have antibiotics let us know what you have.
Bless you for bringing her home.

 

[Starling5767]

The first foot picture is of the swollen foot. The 2nd is of the other foot. Third pic is the bottom of the bad foot, 4th pic is bottom of the other foot....the bottom of that foot looks not good to me too. None of my ducks feet look like that. The swollen area is hot to touch. Both feet and legs are "mobile" and not frozen in place ( to answer an above question). I'm not sure about antibiotics. I might have something but I won't be able to look until I get off of work. Sorry the pictures are so dark. I was took them early this morning before work and had no one to help me...

 

[Starling5767]

I forgot to mention I don't see any puncture wounds

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sure looks like infection in the joint. Could be an injury since you don’t know anything about her before you brought her home. Soaks V in warm Epsom salt water (don’t let her drink it) sailing can help with swelling if it’s an injury if it’s infection she’ll need antibiotics and bet would be for a vet to look at it since there may be a need to drain it. You could try Baytril 10%. You can buy it on line.

 

[Starling5767]

Thank you !!! Since the area was hot I was really worried about infection too so I called around and found a vet that would take a look at her. Not exactly local but close enough for me to make the trip. Luckily we are slow at work and I could get away. I dropped her off and they will look at her when they get a chance. I will try to remember to post updates here as I get them.