Limping drake -- a few questions while I wait for the vet; leg heat?

[prestoconfuoco]

Hello everyone,

Yesterday I noticed my Welsh Harlequin drake was acting a bit off -- not as active, laying down when his friends were up and about. Then I noticed he was standing on one leg, and finally I actually saw him limping. He can still walk, and is still putting weight on it, but he is much more cautious about it and stands uncomfortably. It's his left leg that he is having trouble with.

I tried to get a vet appointment for this morning but unfortunately they were unavailable, so I have to wait until Tuesday morning.

In the mean time, my ducks live in a run/pen. He lives with two other drakes and they all get along fine. Should I remove him and bring him inside while we wait for the vet, and then maybe let him sleep outside or something? I know epsom salt has been recommended on the forum a lot, so I plan to give him an epsom salt bath today.

My biggest question is about the "feel their legs for heat" thing. When I felt his legs, I felt heat coming from his "ankles" (the first big visible joint midway up his leg). I do think the left ankle felt a little hotter than the right ankle, but I felt both of them hot.

Is this abnormal? Since he was limping in his left leg, I assumed if I felt heat in both legs it was a normal thing. I guess what I'm asking is: in a healthy duck, should there be no noticeable heat in the ankle joint?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you mean like warmth like blood is flowing normally? If hot like yikes fever hot and it's both I'd be concerned. What about swelling on those ankles or any part of the leg? Bottom of the feet look good? No bumblefoot? Do they stay in the run continually or do they have access to forage out of their run? Just wondering if he may have injured his leg like a sprain. Recently my Runner drake was limping. I'm sure the cause was from running up and down the hill behind our home to forage. since after examing both legs I couldn't find an injury. He got a couple of days rest and was fine to get started again. Usually, rest and soaks in Epsom salt water does the trick. Just be careful he doesn't drink much of the Epsom salt water it is also a laxative. I usually use a bucket for soaking put both feet down in since it's easier and hold onto my duck so he doesn't jump out.

 

[prestoconfuoco]

Do you mean like warmth like blood is flowing normally? If hot like yikes fever hot and it's both I'd be concerned. What about swelling on those ankles or any part of the leg? Bottom of the feet look good? No bumblefoot? Do they stay in the run continually or do they have access to forage out of their run? Just wondering if he may have injured his leg like a sprain. Recently my Runner drake was limping. I'm sure the cause was from running up and down the hill behind our home to forage. since after examing both legs I couldn't find an injury. He got a couple of days rest and was fine to get started again. Usually, rest and soaks in Epsom salt water does the trick. Just be careful he doesn't drink much of the Epsom salt water it is also a laxative. I usually use a bucket for soaking put both feet down in since it's easier and hold onto my duck so he doesn't jump out.

So sorry I never responded to this! Thanks so much for your response.

He ended up being fine -- just a minor sprain or something to that effect. He's walking totally fine now, I took him to the vet and the vet said he couldn't find anything wrong. Happy he's OK!