Hurt leg

[Missy60]

My mallard came home not walking on one of its leg. I don't see any injury to it. it doesn't feel hot or anything. We soaked it in Epsom salt for a while and I put him in his cage. Any other suggestions? I know I haven't given you much to go on but there is no signs of damage.

 

[70%cocoa]

He may have just strained it. If that is what has happened then it should slowly improve. An anti-inflammatory like Metacam would help (the dose is twice the dose for dogs, per kilo of duck, so if the duck weighs 2 kilos give the duck what you'd give a dog that weighs 4 kilos).

At this stage I'd keep him quiet (i.e. don't put him in a position where he is being chased by other ducks or anything else) and see how he goes over time. I'd expect to see some improvement within a week if it is a strain. Swimming would be good therapy.

 

[Amiga]

Ditto 70%cocoa

Hugs to the duckie!

 

[Missy60]

Thanks I will try to find some tomorrow and give it some. I put it in the coop part with water and food close by. I just left the other mallard with it because they get to stressed if they are separated. It is basically laying with its leg under it. I went out and checked it a few mins ago and the other mallard is laying beside it. It just keeps getting in the corner where George lays her eggs. I moved her to the other corner but she keeps moving back to George's nest. I didn't have anything to separate them tonight but They are all laying to sleep tonight. The only thing I could think of was the Epsom salt and neosporin. It didn't have any cuts so that ruled out the neosporin. Do you think the Epsom salt is a good idea to continue also?

 

[70%cocoa]

It's a good idea to put your hurt duck with a friend if they are just going to sit quietly together. That will definitely reduce stress.

Since the limping appeared suddenly (or seems to have) then it's probably not infected, which means that there isn't a real advantage to using epsom salts (which can be used to draw fluid and hopefully infection out of the body). If you can't see any sign of infection then I would not worry with the epsom salts.

If you can't see any sign of a cut or graze then I would not worry about using the neosporin either, so you are right to rule that out of the equation.

For now, I would just keep up exactly what you are doing - keeping your duck quiet and warm with some company, food and water. If you can get some Metacam that's great. Just give one dose a day, in the bill at the back of the tongue. An anti-inflammatory will help reduce swelling which will mean that any injury can heal up faster, plus it will relieve pain. I'm working on the assumption that it is some kind of soft tissue injury, but of course that might not be right. Seems to be a reasonable assumption to work with for now though

 

[Missy60]

Yeah we gave it a good check up and there was no signs at all of cuts or abrasions. It will let us pick it up and basically do anything to it now. I guess it knows it can't run from us, poor little thing. I want to go check on it but I'm trying to keep myself from it because if I go out there it will just stir them up. Thanks so much for your help I know you are very knowledgeable and trust your advice. It makes me feel better doing basically nothing, because that was my thoughts to. Rest and swimming!

I didn't really know what the Epsom salt was for. I really don't know why we even had it, but i felt like I needed to do something

 

[Missy60]

It's still limping and it makes this soft sound in the back of its throat like its crying. It's breaking my heart. I'm just sitting out at the pool with it so I can put it back in the pen before it tries to take off with the other ducks. I'm waiting for my GD to get up to watch it so I can go get some meds for it. She named it bubbles but for some reason I just can't call it that. I guess Bubbles is better then it. I think this one is a girl maybe so that's why it's still an it.

 

[Amiga]

Just to clarify, Epsom salts is for more than infections. The magnesium and the sulfate both help with sprains and muscle soreness.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/use-epsom-salts-13-wonderful-ways.html

So I would continue Epsom salts compresses.

 

[Missy60]

I have Bubbles back in the pen with a smaller pool, which he hasn't gotten in yet. It's one they use all the time. I floated some mill worms in the pool. She seems like she can walk a little better but maybe it's just wishful thinking. One thing that's strange is she isn't holding up her wing on the side that doesn't have the hurt leg. I wonder whats up with that.

She is normal acting tried to preen with the hurt leg some this morning. The other ducks didn't want to hang around with her so she is alone but surprisely she seems fine with that.

 

[70%cocoa]

If you haven't already then it might be worthwhile checking her thoroughly all over for things like bite marks. Have a good close-up sniff all over her too, Snelling for any bad smells that might indicate an infection. Just a thought, in case it's more than just a leg injury.

She may just be holding the wing down for balance.

Leg injuries can heal slowly, so don't worry if you don't see big day to day improvement. Gradually over a week or two it should improve though, if it's just an injury. Depends on exactly what she's done to it though.

Thanks for the clarification on the Epsom salts, Amiga. I had thought it was just to dry out an open cut or graze