Injured duck - Leg Was Tied - Photo attached

[dotknott]

The rain we've had the last few days caused the stream to rise a bit yesterday. It also caused some trash to make its way downstream. I came home yesterday afternoon to a duck with a length of string wrapped tightly around her leg and tangled up with two saplings. I had to climb to the other side of the stream and cut the saplings to get her out. The string was so tight on her leg I couldn't get my knife under it and ended up using nail clippers to remove and untangle the mess. Last night she seemed okay, though she was limping a little, probably from having her leg tied back for as long as it was. She was still limping this AM and I noticed that she's now swollen as well (overall, her leg looks worse than it did yesterday, but I'm not sure how much of that is because I have better lighting and can see so much more of it.)



I kept her in the coop today, with a bowl of food and some water. She may have laid an egg this AM.. that's not clear though. She has limited mobility of the leg, but doesn't put much weight on it. I felt for any breaks yesterday, but couldn't feel anything. I'm terrible at first aid. What should I do between now and getting her to a vet..

 

[dotknott]

The vet visit went well. The dr. says that she's very lucky to be in as good a shape as she is, and that she'll keep the foot. There is some slight necropsy of some of the tissue, but not enough for the foot to be a loss.

We came home with an oral prescription for meloxicam for inflammation and a topical antibiotic (mupirocin.) Initially she was going to give me an oral antibiotic, but we went with a topical because the oral would mean that I could likely not eat her eggs. That's a problem if I'm to put her back with the flock. She (the Dr. didn't think the topical wouldn't do the job, but we went over what to look for as far as dogs of infection or inflammation cutting off circulation.

She even commented that the was still some texture at the wound site, so her leg may heal up just fine!

Ladies and gentlemen of the duck forum, you seem to have doneit! Thank you! Your guidance and assistance has been invaluable! Thank you so much for everything (especially the epsom salt soaks, the dr highlighted that specifically saying decreasing the swelling may have saved her foot.)

 

[Miss Lydia]

okay, shopping list for this lunch hour is:

unscented ES (all I have right now is lavender scented..)
Disposable Gloves
Gentian Violet
Small Spray bottle

Should I wrap this at all, or would that be a bad idea with the swelling?

Metcam? Is that only available through the vet?

Yes through a vet only. If you are in good standing with a vet that might prescribe as a friend. If you don't want to take her.

I wouldn't wrap if your keeping her from the rest on clean bedding actually if an open wound old clean towels would be best that way nothing can stick in the wound.

 

[dotknott]

Sounds encouraging for sure. Can she put any weight on her leg? and don't forget when using Epsom salt don't let them drink the water it is also a laxative besides helping with swelling and Inflammation.

She's limping, and since she doesn't have crutches, she is putting some weight on it, though very little. I've been doing a compress with the Epsom salts, not a full bath, since yeah, laxative effect to the nth degree.

 

[dotknott]

Bless her heart. Glad to hear she is back on the mend again.

again.. again.. again..

The vet told me this duck has nine lives.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The rain we've had the last few days caused the stream to rise a bit yesterday. It also caused some trash to make its way downstream. I came home yesterday afternoon to a duck with a length of string wrapped tightly around her leg and tangled up with two saplings. I had to climb to the other side of the stream and cut the saplings to get her out. The string was so tight on her leg I couldn't get my knife under it and ended up using nail clippers to remove and untangle the mess. Last night she seemed okay, though she was limping a little, probably from having her leg tied back for as long as it was. She was still limping this AM and I noticed that she's now swollen as well (overall, her leg looks worse than it did yesterday, but I'm not sure how much of that is because I have better lighting and can see so much more of it.)



I kept her in the coop today, with a bowl of food and some water. She may have laid an egg this AM.. that's not clear though. She has limited mobility of the leg, but doesn't put much weight on it. I felt for any breaks yesterday, but couldn't feel anything. I'm terrible at first aid. What should I do between now and getting her to a vet..

Poor baby that looks like it really cut can you soak her leg in some warm ES water? that may help some till a vet sees her. I'd say she is in pain so hopefully they will give meta cam for the pain and inflammation. Does her foot feel like she still has good circulation?

 

[Herdcutter]

It's going to take a long time to heal. But you need to soak that leg daily in some gentian violet https://g.co/kgs/8Y7CiM

She most likely will have permanent damage and may walk with a limp. If you can keep her from infection, she still can lead a good life.

 

[dotknott]

Yes through a vet only. If you are in good standing with a vet that might prescribe as a friend. If you don't want to take her.

I wouldn't wrap if your keeping her from the rest on clean bedding actually if an open wound old clean towels would be best that way nothing can stick in the wound.

My plan was to set her up in a dog kennel with a collection of old throw blankets, swap them out a once or twice a day. I don't have a relationship with an avian vet so I think the meta cam is going to have to wait for an appt.

 

[dotknott]

We will see what tomorrow brings. She's eating, drinking and even preened after her bath, so that a plus. The best I can do for now is keep her cozy clean and safe. Poor gal.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

it looks like you caught her just in time

the epsom salts will help with swelling, they are amazing

good luck!!