Looking to confirm sprained/ broken duck ankle

[Agraham0114]

I noticed one of my Jumbo Pekings limping on 12/22. I brought her inside to inspect, her right ankle is really swollen. There are no obvious signs of scratches, scrapes, or cuts. No bumblefoot foot "scabs". Her ankle does have some redness and it's warm.
I've had her inside for 10 days. The swelling has not gone down at all. She is (obviously) still limping, but not as badly, she will put some pressure on it to wobble about. She's eating and using the bathroom. I started with epsom salt baths and switched to wrapping with epsom salt gel. I'm also giving her baby aspirin (1/4 a pill, she's 9lbs), vitamin b complex (non flushable, 1/2 a pill a day) and oregano oil.

I want to see what you all think and also ask-
How long does take a sprain/ break to heal?
When should the swelling begin to go down?
Is there anything else I can do for her?
Should I switch back to the epsom salt baths?
NOTE: The green on her swollen foot is from the epsom salt gel.
I also included a picture of her "good foot" to show how much swelling there is.
@Isaac 0

 

[Isaac 0]

Unfortunately, Pekins and other heavyweight meat breed ducks are predisposed to developing leg problems. Viewing your bird, it's possible she injured it somehow, and it's sprained, but it's also possible the area may be infected; oftentimes there is no ulceration or scab to indicate their area is infected. Determining whether the area is infected or not would solely count on diagnostic tests such as fine-needle aspiration done at a vet office.

That said if you're seeing some improvement you can continue on treating it as an injury, but if she continues to act poorly even in a week or two, you may start considering if the area is perhaps infected, and start her on an antibiotic. Cephalexin, Enrofloxacin, and Clindamycin can be purchased online in fish, or bird form without an RX needed.

Until then, continue with what you have been doing so far. Letting her swim in cool deep water at least once daily, then every few days adding some Epsom salts may help reduce the swelling. A compression bandage using gauze, and vet wrap can be wrapped around the swollen affected area to help reduce swelling and reduce further movement; when doing any wrap, just ensure it is not too tight. A half diluted DMSO gel applied to the area may speed healing.

The questions you asked are variable and will depend on the supportive care the owner is willing to provide, the severity of the injury, and the overall health status of the duck. Some sprains can take weeks to recover.

 

[Agraham0114]

Unfortunately, Pekins and other heavyweight meat breed ducks are predisposed to developing leg problems. Viewing your bird, it's possible she injured it somehow, and it's sprained, but it's also possible the area may be infected; oftentimes there is no ulceration or scab to indicate their area is infected. Determining whether the area is infected or not would solely count on diagnostic tests such as fine-needle aspiration done at a vet office.

That said if you're seeing some improvement you can continue on treating it as an injury, but if she continues to act poorly even in a week or two, you may start considering if the area is perhaps infected, and start her on an antibiotic. Cephalexin, Enrofloxacin, and Clindamycin can be purchased online in fish, or bird form without an RX needed.

Until then, continue with what you have been doing so far. Letting her swim in cool deep water at least once daily, then every few days adding some Epsom salts may help reduce the swelling. A compression bandage using gauze, and vet wrap can be wrapped around the swollen affected area to help reduce swelling and reduce further movement; when doing any wrap, just ensure it is not too tight. A half diluted DMSO gel applied to the area may speed healing.

The questions you asked are variable and will depend on the supportive care the owner is willing to provide, the severity of the injury, and the overall health status of the duck. Some sprains can take weeks to recover.

Thank you very much for the information!! We've been wrapping with gauze and vet wrap daily. One thing we haven't been doing is daily swims, I'll add that into the mix.
-The DMSO gel, should that stay on for a few minutes and wash off or keep it on all day? (I've never used it, but just ordered some!)
I also ordered some Cephalexin just in case.

 

[Isaac 0]

Thank you very much for the information!! We've been wrapping with gauze and vet wrap daily. One thing we haven't been doing is daily swims, I'll add that into the mix.
-The DMSO gel, should that stay on for a few minutes and wash off or keep it on all day? (I've never used it, but just ordered some!)
I also ordered some Cephalexin just in case.

You're welcome. With the DMSO gel, dilute it halfway down with water, and slather a thin coating onto her leg. Eventually, it will dry off. You may do that once a day.

 

[Agraham0114]

You're welcome. With the DMSO gel, dilute it halfway down with water, and slather a thin coating onto her leg. Eventually, it will dry off. You may do that once a day.

Perfect! You're a life saver! Seriously, thanks again for all of your help and time responding!!