I have a male runner duck and he injured his leg I'm pretty sure one of my goats accidentally stepped on his leg and broke it I'm only 15 and I cant quite tell if it's his foot or his leg that's broken and I was wondering how to make a splint I would take him to the vet but my dads one of those people that say they either get better or they don't
Yes, a picture would help more experienced members to figure out how to help... I won't be much help. All I can say is to give him the Basics: Food, water, warmth, comfort. Take him away from the other ducks, if you can, in a nice, warm environment - preferably inside.
casportpony is pretty creative with solutions.´ You need to set the bones - if it's swollen it may be difficult to tell what's going on, so I would wrap the leg and foot loosely with an Epsom salt compress..´´(dissolve two tablespoons Epsom salt in a half cup of warm water, soak a clean cloth in that, wrap the leg while holding the duck). If you think it would be easier to just add Epsom salt to a tub bath, it is, but ducks drink their tub water and Epsom salt is a laxative, so, no, please do not add diarrhea to his list of woes. You can also hold him as he stands in a shallow bucket with Epsom salt solution - but do not let him drink it. That can reduce swelling and start the healing process. Vet wrap and coffee stirrers can make a decent splint - you need to make sure the wrapping is not too tight because he needs circulation in the leg. I think some folks wrap below the joint and above it so the joint does not get stiff. You could also make a sling, to take weight off the leg for several days. Make a place in the back so he can poop onto the floor instead of sitting in it. Some use one inch pvc and make what looks like a table frame, then use fabric for the sling. Lemon the Duck had something like that, you might be able to still find pictures of it. I like using herbal remedies if they have proven useful, and comfrey has been used for many years to help bones heal - use it externally. You can either buy salve - that can get pricey - or buy some dried herb and soak it in warmed olive oil overnight, then store that in the frij. Rub a bit of that oil all over the leg twice a day. Ducks can heal from dreadful injuries if they just are given a chance, and some help.
