frostbite foot swollen, pen injection?

[HeatherFeather]

Our muscovy got severe frostbite on one foot. The other seems to be healing. The foot in question is beginning to swell at the ankle area. The toes are still coloured ok but the webbing is part grayed. Can I give him a penicilian injection? We have propen LA on hand-broad spectrum injectable..but generally intended for mammals. Nearest farm stores don't stock oral poultry antibiotics either.

 

[Amiga]

Ooch, sorry to read about this. Glad you are being proactive.

Here is Storey's Guide on treatment of frostbite.

"rapidly warm the frostbitten feet in a water bath (105 - 108 F) for 15 to 20 minutes, and give the patient lukewarm drinking water. Do not rub the affected parts. If gangrene sets in, the frozen areas may eventually drop off or may need to be amputated and treated as an open wound. The oral administration of antibiotics such as penicillin and Terramycin to birds with severe frostbite reduces the chance of infection."

I would also give the duck vitamins with electrolytes and probiotics for general health support, give lukewarm baths deep enough to float in to improve circulation and take pressure off the tissues of the foot.

 

[HeatherFeather]

Thanks, I'll keep trying to source some oral antibiotics; in the meantime if anyone knoes if I can give him an injection, please lmk.

 

[Amiga]

As far as I know you can give him an injection, as long as you are sure of the proper dosage.

Here is a thread from Pato's experience . . . see what you think.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/680074/antibiotic-injections-for-ducks

 

[HeatherFeather]

Hey thanks, I'm trying hard to track down orals today, and if I can't find any, will inject him.

 

[HeatherFeather]

Oral antibiotics on the go. His feet both have a lot of greyed areas, but the damage seems to have stopped getting any worse. Our pipes unfroze today so we gave him a bath in lukewarm water. The bathroom is still recovering !!