HELP! ducks with bumblefoot and a struggling duck owner

[LuckyDucky31]

I have three ducks that have various stages of bumblefoot. Its fairly visible on all of them but isn't restricting any of their mobility. I dont have the resources to take them to a vet so i've been trying to do home remedies.

To start off I'm having issues wrapping their feet so the infection does not worsen. I really have no aid skills even for humans so im terrified im going to wrap it wrong and cause the blood to stop circulating to their feet. my other issue is actually having help doing these home treatments. I'm home alone most of the day and my family really isn't making it a priority to help me in anyway (i've told them several times I NEED help).

I love my ducks and I want them to live happy healthy lives. I'm worried I dont have the capability to give them that. I've already broken down several times because I feel helpless trying to make it better and failing at every i've tried. I don't know what to do and have called so many numbers trying to find someone that can help without costing an arm and a leg.

 

[Callender Girl]

Do you have any kind of relationship with a vet who can -- without paying for an exam -- sell you some antibiotic? The vet who sees my poultry and livestock was too busy to help my hen, who I thought had bumblefoot. So, I called my dog/cat vet and asked for Clavamox, which he sold me.

I don't know which home remedies you've been using, but after soaking their feet in Epsom salt baths to help relieve soreness, I think you will probably have to have something to address the infection.

I KNOW how overwhelming it can be when you can't afford to take them to the vet and no one seems to want to or be able to held. I've been there more than once. I hope you find a solution -- for them and for yourself.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Please if you can post pics we’ll try an help some. Wrap your duck in a towel like a burrito so you can work on their feet and also get pictures.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

There are some amazing people here that will help. Many of us have been through it and would love to help you. My biggest tip for wrapping is to use some of that craft foam that's sticky on one side. It's moldable but I feel like it gives me stability to keep from balling my ducks foot up. What supplies are you using to wrap the feet after soaking them? How often are you soaking?

 

[KaleIAm]

I'm sorry you are having issues with your ducks' feet. I am often in my barn alone holding my ducks while treating them, so I understand the challenges. It can feel overwhelming, but you can do this. I find that using my knees/thighs to hold my duck is very useful, then I can have my arms/hands free to do the work. Also wrap your duck up in a towel like a burrito so they can't flap around. Have all the supplies you need beforehand within reach, and then get to work.

When my ducks were prone to bumblefoot my vet recommended that I use very soft surfaces for them to walk/stand on 24/7. You might want to look around your ducks' environment at what they could be hurting their feet on. My vet recommended that I removed all rocks, gravel, boards, and even wood shavings. I used straw or hay for bedding instead and had grass only outside in their aviary. I used to have bumblefoot frequently, after making the changes I haven't had bumblefoot for years. It seems that not all ducks are so sensitive to hard surfaces, though.

Please send us photos so we can help you more.

 

[Newfowler1]

I'm sorry you are having issues with your ducks' feet. I am often in my barn alone holding my ducks while treating them, so I understand the challenges. It can feel overwhelming, but you can do this. I find that using my knees/thighs to hold my duck is very useful, then I can have my arms/hands free to do the work. Also wrap your duck up in a towel like a burrito so they can't flap around. Have all the supplies you need beforehand within reach, and then get to work.

When my ducks were prone to bumblefoot my vet recommended that I use very soft surfaces for them to walk/stand on 24/7. You might want to look around your ducks' environment at what they could be hurting their feet on. My vet recommended that I removed all rocks, gravel, boards, and even wood shavings. I used straw or hay for bedding instead and had grass only outside in their aviary. I used to have bumblefoot frequently, after making the changes I haven't had bumblefoot for years. It seems that not all ducks are so sensitive to hard surfaces, though.

Please send us photos so we can help you more.

This solid sound advice! Burrito method all the way. Works with lousy cats too
Yes, have your surgical room and table ready with vet tape cut in various lengths. Antibiotic spray or cream ready to go on Q-tips and gauze. Bandages and especially Betadine solution for cleaning before and during the process.
Unfortunately I lost my mate and live alone so I must do it all myself. I hold the duck under my arm wrapped up burrito style and cover their head so they can’t see, it seems to keep them calmer than w/o covering their head.
Huge thing for me was going to 30 minute soaks in epsom salt solution.

20 minutes wasn’t always enough if I had a hardened infection I had to remove. I put them in a bucket with 2” of salt water and push them under a chair so they can only get their bill and head above the rim of the bucket. They all calm down once under the chair.

My 2nd try at a competent vet finally paid off with proper medications For my Blue Swedish who had the infection get into her leg. It swelled up quite a bit and has slowly been returning to size. The first vet administered several medications and I later find out NONE where antibiotics! I will never go back there again for any of my animals. I am still a bit mad over it.

I replaced a particle board ramp and went to a medium and coarse pine shaving and straw everywhere in the coops. I also removed all plants with thorns or any kind of prickler. That was a helluva job and took days.

Lastly, I isolated the ducks being treated for several days to weeks. I made sure their flippers that required debridement or aspiration or infection were lightly bandaged and kept in a dry, constantly cleaned pin or cage with medium sized pine shavings. I would soak them daily or 2 times a day depending on the condition of their flippers.

I am adopting the philosophy if I won’t walk there barefoot then I won’t let the ducks go there either. I love my buddies and it’s difficult to put them through the trauma. They do get used to it but you feel like your torturing them at times.

It is a lot of work at first but you adapt and learn. It gets easier I promise you. Don’t loose faith in yourself, you can do this & we are here for you.