Yesterday evening the ducks were playing in the water overflowing from the horses water trough, and since they were having so much fun I left the hose on for a few more minutes to give them a puddle. Mama, my mustang, came up for a drink and my tb filly was already there. Chong got in between them and Mama went to run the tb off, and instead ran over Chong and one of my baby hicks who was there with it's adopted mama getting a drink. The chick died instantly, and Chong flapped off. He didn't show back up until it was time for bed, and he looked fine then. This evening when I got home from work I noticed he was lagging behind and his duck waddle was exaggerated. When I picked him up, jis left leg was extremely swollen and all his toes on that foot are crooked and broken. Due to the swelling, I can't FEEL a break but I'm almost positive he's got at least one broken bone in his leg. I felt him over and did not find any other injuries, but there is a bruise in his hip.
He is otherwise eating fine, doing a pretty good job of keeping up with Cheech and Donna, and spent most of his time today in the pool according to my mother. That is out of his norm, Chong usually only spends time in it enough to preen and get out to wander the yard.
He is in a dog crate in my living room with a huge bucket of water, feed, and a pillow to sit on for when he is uncomfortable. He is quacking and calling for his buddies, but I'm worried to let him do too much on that leg and injure it furthur. How much time should I give him to heal up? Can I put ice on it? Culling is always an option but I want to give him a chance, first. He is a survivor, survived a tendon injury as a duckling and a dog attack as a teen. Now I hope he survives this ordeal. Should I bring in one of his ducky friends and leave the other with the chickens or let him settle in to some alone time?
I'm planning on letting him roam for about an hour a day to get exercise, but am also worried that he could furthur injure that leg. He will be getting "water therapy" in my tub for an hour and a half a day. It will be deep enough he can stand If he wants, but also give him the chance to paddle. He's in pain, and won't let me handle the area much so the pictures I took (downloading now) might be all that's posted. I will upload them as soon as PB
He is otherwise eating fine, doing a pretty good job of keeping up with Cheech and Donna, and spent most of his time today in the pool according to my mother. That is out of his norm, Chong usually only spends time in it enough to preen and get out to wander the yard.
He is in a dog crate in my living room with a huge bucket of water, feed, and a pillow to sit on for when he is uncomfortable. He is quacking and calling for his buddies, but I'm worried to let him do too much on that leg and injure it furthur. How much time should I give him to heal up? Can I put ice on it? Culling is always an option but I want to give him a chance, first. He is a survivor, survived a tendon injury as a duckling and a dog attack as a teen. Now I hope he survives this ordeal. Should I bring in one of his ducky friends and leave the other with the chickens or let him settle in to some alone time?
I'm planning on letting him roam for about an hour a day to get exercise, but am also worried that he could furthur injure that leg. He will be getting "water therapy" in my tub for an hour and a half a day. It will be deep enough he can stand If he wants, but also give him the chance to paddle. He's in pain, and won't let me handle the area much so the pictures I took (downloading now) might be all that's posted. I will upload them as soon as PB
