Hello guys! So, a long, long time ago (last fall) I posted about my drake limping. I tried epsom salt baths and cayenne pepper (helped with the swelling a bit), and a few other things, but he has not healed. Even over a 3 week period of time this winter in which they didn't leave the house (he got to rest his leg without running after his girls), it did not heal. At this point I have basically determined that his injury may be permanent, such as a broken bone in his left knee.
In fact, I've basically decided that must be what it is. He holds his left leg out to the side when he stands and lays down, and instead of walking forward like other ducks, he swing that leg around at the hip. The knee itself is large and jutting outwards.
The thing is, he walks, runs, and mates, and does everything he has always done. He attacks our dogs, chases the chickens, and enjoys swim time. In fact, he spends a large amount of time just lying in the water, as the soak seems to improve his limp for a temporary time.
Considering how he stands and walks, I was thinking about making him a brace to stabilize his knee and straighten it to see if it improves his limp. I don't want to make things worse, and I'm wondering about how I would go about 'making' a brace if it would help. It would need to be breathable, and, of course, duck-proof. I've taken a picture of his leg so you can see how he holds it (that is how he stands, all the time. When he lies down, his leg is always stretched out behind him at an angle).
In fact, I've basically decided that must be what it is. He holds his left leg out to the side when he stands and lays down, and instead of walking forward like other ducks, he swing that leg around at the hip. The knee itself is large and jutting outwards.
The thing is, he walks, runs, and mates, and does everything he has always done. He attacks our dogs, chases the chickens, and enjoys swim time. In fact, he spends a large amount of time just lying in the water, as the soak seems to improve his limp for a temporary time.
Considering how he stands and walks, I was thinking about making him a brace to stabilize his knee and straighten it to see if it improves his limp. I don't want to make things worse, and I'm wondering about how I would go about 'making' a brace if it would help. It would need to be breathable, and, of course, duck-proof. I've taken a picture of his leg so you can see how he holds it (that is how he stands, all the time. When he lies down, his leg is always stretched out behind him at an angle).
