Help with nasty wound, infected(?), torn webbing

[larwilli2000]

I recently agreed to take a pair of Runner ducks that needed a new home. Owner was a friend of friend and lives a few hours away. We met in the middle for the handful but we arrived at the meeting spot, we found that one of them had a very nasty tear through the webbing between her toes. The owner said that they hadn't noticed it until that day. Hard to imagine how one could miss it, but okay, we took the ducks home. I have never had a case of bumblefoot in my flock, but after lots of reading and researching, I don't think that's what this is. I actually have no clue what happened and don't expect to get any reliable info from previous owner. Could have been caused by a predator attack, broken foot, anything. The middle toe is clearly swollen, but I don't feel any cracking or moving of bones when I massage foot is warm. There aren't any obvious "plugs" or nodules that you normally see with bumblefoot, except a pretty significant swelling under the middle to. The skin around the hole is black and much of it is hardened. There's also a patch of skin near the wound that is concerning to me. It is thicker (swollen) but mushy. Sorta feels like a puppy pads or diaper after it gets wet. It is clearly painful, the duck limps and hisses and postures to protect the foot if you get near her. Last night I gave her a long, warm bath and cleaned the wound with peroxide and betadine.. I then used BlueKote and (original) Neosporin.then bandaged it. She is eating and drinking very well.

We're s long way from the nearest vet who treats ducks. I thought I'd see if maybe I could mend her but its lan to use pine tar for both antiseptic and analgesic properties.

 

[larwilli2000]

Good morning everyone. I could sure use your help today! I

irecently agreed to take a pair of Runner ducks that needed a new home. Owner was a friend of friend and lives a few hours away. We met in the middle for the handful but we arrived at the meeting spot, we found that one of them had a very nasty tear through the webbing between her toes. The owner said that they hadn't noticed it until that day. Hard to imagine how one could miss it, but okay, we took the ducks home. I have never had a case of bumblefoot in my flock, but after lots of reading and researching, I don't think that's what this is. I actually have no clue what happened and don't expect to get any reliable info from previous owner. Could have been caused by a predator attack, broken foot, anything. The middle toe is clearly swollen, but I don't feel any cracking or moving of bones when I massage foot is warm. There aren't any obvious "plugs" or nodules that you normally see with bumblefoot, except a pretty significant swelling under the middle to. The skin around the hole is black and much of it is hardened. There's also a patch of skin near the wound that is concerning to me. It is thicker (swollen) but mushy. Sorta feels like a puppy pads or diaper after it gets wet. It is clearly painful, the duck limps and hisses and postures to protect the foot if you get near her. Last night I gave her a long, warm bath and cleaned the wound with peroxide and betadine.. I then used BlueKote and (original) Neosporin.then bandaged it. She is eating and drinking very well.

We're s long way from the nearest vet who treats ducks. I thought I'd see if maybe I could mend her but the possible infection is a wildcard.l the pine tar should alrrive today. I plan to use it for both its antiseptic and analgesic properties. Any other ideas?

 

[MissE]

Do you have any pictures?

 

[larwilli2000]

Do you have any pictures?

 

[larwilli2000]

Do you have any pictures?

 

[larwilli2000]

Sorry for starting two threads. That was not intentional and I can't figure out how to remove one. Anyway, I suspect the injury is from being kept in quarters that weren't duck friendly. Attached is a photo of the other feet. They look much better after a bath but they're still bad. I'll also post a pic of the underside of her foot in just a moment.

 

[Isaac 0]

It does look as if there were extensive injures done to the area, likely done by a predator. From the picture, I'm seeing a lot of devitalization of the tissue, is that what you see when examining her? If you gently pinch the tip of the toe with a pair of forceps, does she react at all?

For an injury like that, I would likely soak it in antiseptic, or Epsom salts as you have done. Apply an antibacterial ointment or poultry spray, and bandage using non-stick padding, and vet wrap. The bandage may need to be taken off, and the ointment reapplied every day or so. If the toe is necrotic, it would be best to have it removed by a vet.

 

[MissE]

View attachment 2503391

Ouch, that looks painful. I would suggest soaking it and apply a topical antiseptic, just as you have been. I don't know enough about administering oral antibiotics for ducks to give you any advise there, but maybe someone else will.

 

[larwilli2000]

Do you have any pictures?
[/QUOT

Here's her other foot. His don't look great but they're not as bad as hers. I suspect they were kept in an environment that wasn't duck friendly. I do not understand what some people they think they're getting when they bring home a duck with nearly no research or thought. smh. I cannot imagine that someone hadn't noticed here little foot before yesterday.

I forgot to mention this - she walked pretty well yesterday. She had a limp but she could still get where she was going without too much trouble. Today she seems to be holding the foot off of the ground and not moving much. Still eating and drinking though.

 

[larwilli2000]

It does look as if there were extensive injures done to the area, likely done by a predator. From the picture, I'm seeing a lot of devitalization of the tissue, is that what you see when examining her? If you gently pinch the tip of the toe with a pair of forceps, does she react at all?

For an injury like that, I would likely soak it in antiseptic, or Epsom salts as you have done. Apply an antibacterial ointment or poultry spray, and bandage using non-stick padding, and vet wrap. The bandage may need to be taken off, and the ointment reapplied every day or so. If the toe is necrotic, it would be best to have it removed by a vet.

Fortunately, the toe doesn't have any obvious signs of necrosis. That seems to be limited to the webbing. There are spots but not necrosed like this one. It's that part on the bottom that has me most concerned and that's why I wasn't sure about antibiotics. I'm having trouble with the picture but I'm working on it.

such a sweet duck.