Help with limping duck, please

[allergymama]

One of my WH hens is limping pretty bad. She obviously doesn't want to put any weight on it. I picked her up and brought her in (to some bright light and an extra pair of eyes

) and I can't see any obvious injury. Moved all the bones around and she didn't react at all. They seem to love fine and normally when compared to the other foot. Compared it with the other foot for color and it is a little different color. This one is kind of more gray, the other one more yellowish (perhaps it was always like this? I have never examined them with such close attention.). Nails look fine. No cuts. No obvious bruising. Any ideas of what else to look for? Checked all the way up the leg as far as I could and nothing. Help, please.

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like something may have bothered the circulation in the leg . . .

I would get the duck into a lukewarm tub of water deep enough to float in, and let the duck paddle around. I would also try an Epsom salt compress.

In order to make an Epsom salt compress: 2 tablespoons Epsom salt, half a cup of warm water. Soak a clean cloth in that. Gently hold the duck and wrap the cloth around the leg and foot. Wait patiently together for ten minutes if you can both go that long.

Do this twice a day.

Epsom salt is a laxative, do not let the duck drink or eat it.

Some members put the Epsom salt water into a flat-bottomed dish and stand the duck in it, holding the duck gently. Remember, no drinking the water.

I like to use comfrey and St. John's wort on the outside of the leg and foot for sprains. I have a cream called Traumeel that has those things in it, and I put a tiny dab on the leg at night (they don't swim at night).

 

[allergymama]

Oh thank you! I haven traumeel too and I will do the Epsom salts in the morning.

 

[allergymama]

We free range our ducks during the daylight hours. Should I confine her? We have a couple large dog crates that we have used to transport in the past that I could use.

 

[Amiga]

I would confine her for a day or two anyway.