Inflated Foot & Respiratory issues

[DucksandGoats]

I have a 4 day old khaki duckling that I rescued from a friend of a friend, who hatched him in an incubator. Only 4 eggs hatched, 3 survived and this little one I took in on the assumption that it only had splayed legs. I picked him up on Saturday night. Saturday was his first day outside of the incubator. The girl who hatched him said that he had his foot curled as well as the splayed leg, so she made a little bootie to keep the foot flat. When I got home, I removed the bootie to have a look and there was what appeared to be a blister. I left the bootie off, and day by day the bubble grew. He was pretty lethargic (which I know hatchlings are, but he seemed like he could use a boost to help him fight whatever was happening on his foot) so on Sunday evening, I offered poultry nutriti drench in water per the instructions. I also left another clean water so he had the option of either. Yesterday morning I noticed that he was keeping his eyes closed, and had more labored breathing when resting and making a little tap noise with his mouth. The vet came over yesterday and said he had a respiratory issue and we’re still unsure about the foot. I’ve put VetRx on the towels in his tub home, and a single drop in his water. I continue to do that with new towels and water. Earlier today I picked up the antibiotics from the vet.

Has anyone seen this bubble before? I found one older thread, but the only suggestion of an answer was perhaps it is a burn. The vet says not to puncture it, as it would be hard to keep clean.

I feel so badly for this little one. He was eating so vigorously yesterday. He hasn’t really at all today. This morning, but not really the rest of the day.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wonder why the vet didn't start the duckling on an antibiotic if there is a respiratory issue

VetRX may help iot breathe but isn't going to heal a respiratory infection.

I haven't ever seen a foot like this. It does look like a burn blister.

 

[DucksandGoats]

He did an in house visit and had to figure out which antibiotic and how much first. He does some farm visits, but mostly a “regular” pet vet. I don’t have a strictly farm animal vet close enough to me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully you’ll hear soon and get it started on an antibiotic. Maybe the foot will open on its own.

 

[DucksandGoats]

He had his first antibiotic dose earlier today. It’s twice a day. He said I can either do next dose late tonight or early in the morning.

Happy to report is vigorous eating is back!

I have 3 rescue drakes, that all came to me at 7 months or so old. I’ve rehabbed adult ducks before, but this is my first hatchling. He sleeps a lot. I’m assuming this is mostly normal, but may be a bit more often because he’s not feeling well & has the splay leg.

Do you all think I was right to remove the hair tie keeping his legs together? I felt like he was already stressed from a new move, being alone (besides me and stuffed animals), his bubble foot and now being sick. My thought was, let’s let the bubble go down and clear up the respiratory infection before adding annoyance with tying up his legs.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

The legs need to be fixed while they can, so asap. I would not wait. I use masking tape, per a vets instructions, to make shackles. Then I keep the baby in a cup or pvc ring so he can’t flip over on his back. Usually I can take it off in a day or so. Usually, I do a few hours, take it off to see where we are, put it back on.

You asked if anyone has ever seen a bubble like that. I had a former high school student ask to have two of my ducklings. His family owned a greenhouse and said he could have a whole house to raise them in. Anyway he let them roam, at a couple of weeks old, a customer ran over one of the ducklings foot with a wagon full of plants. It swelled up similar to your babies for a few days. I suspect yours had some type of trauma in that foot. Maybe even unintentionally from the shoe. Hopefully he will heal soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes do the hobble like @cheezenkwackers recommends it can be fixed but needs to be asap.
@cheezenkwackers how easy was it to get the masking tape off? I would have thought vet wrap would be better since it sticks to itself not the skin.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He had his first antibiotic dose earlier today. It’s twice a day. He said I can either do next dose late tonight or early in the morning.

Happy to report is vigorous eating is back!

I have 3 rescue drakes, that all came to me at 7 months or so old. I’ve rehabbed adult ducks before, but this is my first hatchling. He sleeps a lot. I’m assuming this is mostly normal, but may be a bit more often because he’s not feeling well & has the splay leg.

Do you all think I was right to remove the hair tie keeping his legs together? I felt like he was already stressed from a new move, being alone (besides me and stuffed animals), his bubble foot and now being sick. My thought was, let’s let the bubble go down and clear up the respiratory infection before adding annoyance with tying up his legs.

That's great your seeing improvement already. If you have a mirror that is safe you can put it with the duckling that can help it feel better too they love the company of other ducklings. I wonder if some warm Epsom salt wraps on the foot might help?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Yes do the hobble like @cheezenkwackers recommends it can be fixed but needs to be asap.
@cheezenkwackers how easy was it to get the masking tape off? I would have thought vet wrap would be better since it sticks to itself not the skin.

I’ve never tried vet wrap but masking tape isn’t very sticky.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve never tried vet wrap but masking tape isn’t very sticky.

Your right it isn't very sticky been a while since I used any.