my ducks foot is inflamed

[aaronmg]

hello! so my little cayuga duck was fine this morning, she was swimming in the pond, she was walking fine, totally normal. i put her and the others in the pen around 1 oclock as i was going out for the day. i return around 8oclock and she's suddenly limping. so i pick her up and put her on her back to have a look at her feet, there are no visible cuts, but on one of her three toes theres (i wouldn't say a massive sore) but her toe looks a bit inflamed. it doesn't look infected, im aware about bumblefoot and what it is, but this is my first time raising ducks and im anxious about misdiagnosing her. i've taken her out her usual bed where she stays the night and taken all the bedding out, hosed down and swept all their poop from their pen, disinfected the old dog crate and put them all to sleep in there tonight as their pen is still wet. im unsure about what I need to do tomorrow and i really need some advice.

Im also having a problem with determining what kind of bedding to use for their pen. theres a build up of mud and dirt in one end but the majority of it is just stone slabs (completely flat). I've been using the branches from the bush I've recently cut down as bedding area which they've been sleeping on comfortably at night, but they spend most their time in the garden on the grass and today has been the first time i've had to put them in the pen during the day time. im worried my set up for their pen has caused these problems. I've been looking for something to use for flooring for their outside pen, but I have no idea what i should be using or even looking for

its the bit thats inflamed on the back of her foot. does anyone have any ideas what this is, or how I should handle it while waiting for a vet appointment?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Maybe give her a soak in a warm Epsom salt bath. Just dont let her drink any as it will act as a laxative.

 

[aaronmg]

Maybe give her a soak in a warm Epsom salt bath. Just dont let her drink any as it will act as a laxative.

is just the soaking sufficient?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

is just the soaking sufficient?

It should be at this point. Unless you see anything else - like a scab. Then, I would suggest using prid to help draw anything out. But, it only looks swollen. I can't tell by the photo if anything else is going on.
Rest could be encouraged, but that depends on if the duck is limping. If not, I would only soak for a few days and see how it goes.

 

[aaronmg]

the salt isnt harmful right? impossible to stop her drinking it. she is limping, all started yesterday at 8pm, its now noon my time

 

[Crazy Maizie]

the salt isnt harmful right? impossible to stop her drinking it. she is limping, all started yesterday at 8pm, its now noon my time

It will act as a flush - so don't let her drink it. Put her in a small tub or bucket where only her bottom half fits.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I would keep her isolated then and not romping around outside. Just keep her comfortable so she can heal.

 

[aaronmg]

It will act as a flush - so don't let her drink it. Put her in a small tub or bucket where only her bottom half fits.

it was difficult to stop her drinking it, she did have a few mouths full. how many times do you recommend soaking a day? I had planned on soaking her again later tonight

 

[aaronmg]

I would keep her isolated then and not romping around outside. Just keep her comfortable so she can heal.

she's currently sleeping on the decking with the others (they do this often). I'll keep her in separate bedding tonight

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I soak I mix the warm water and Epsom salt in a bucket put the ducks or chickens down in feet first [both feet] much easier. And hold onto them for however long they will stay still. I have seen on youtube where people have cut the hole out of a bucket lid and placed this over the ducks head so they don't have to hold onto them and just let them soak. Our bakery section at our grocery has awesome buckets and lids for a dollar each. Frosting buckets.