My girl Mildred - ninja duck

[Marty1876]

I suppose it is possible she could have any of those. I thought this was the result of her getting into and foraging in a patch of blackberries a few days before all this started. But anything is possible.They do free range throughout the yard, so it's possible she got into something I am not aware of.
Blackberry thorns or a stem would do it!
If the wound has scabbed over, just put the poultice material on top without reopening the wound?
Yes, the poultice will remove the scab too.
The milk jug is to provide her with waterer to prevent her from spilling? Heavens knows trying to give her water and keep it dry in the kennel has been a challenge.
Yes, I just cut a whole big enough for a duck/goose/etc head to fit in, then fill bottem half with water. It's much dryer this way. I also use this when I brood baby waterfowl.
I will have to get the neosporin cream, I only have the ointment.
Yes, good idea. Its better for everyone.
I wondered if there was a foreign matter in the last "plug" I cleaned out because it was hard. But I certainly will try the poultice.
Did you find anything when you inspected? Its the sort of place it would be. The body surronds foreign matter with dead white blood cells, to wall it off from the body. I'd still go with the poultice for a day or two. It won't hurt anything, and it will be good insurance for your duck. When the wound seals itself shut, skin to skin, and not big fat scab, then the foreign object is gone.
Darned infection has been in her system for so long.....
She appears still bright eyed and vigourious. If shes pooping, she's eating. That'll help. Like I said, maybe snacks of dk green leafy things, bits of citrus peel, and maybe some berries or bugs and slugs will help boost her. Oh, and use the gloves!!! Save your hands. Duck bites can cause their own skin infections. You know where ducks put their bills.....
Thanks for the information!

I sincerely hope this helps. I'm very impressed at your perseverence. Your a very good pet owner.

 

[Amiga]

Just want to express deep gratitude.

To newbyduckmom, for not giving up on Mildred, when circumstances were piled up against her.

To Marty1876, for coming forward with another approach that I pray will be just what Mildred and newbyduckmom need to be rid of this awful infection.

 

[newbyduckmom]

Ah, ladies, thank you, you made me cry. Darned duck just got to me....not that my pets ever do. Ha ha ha!

Power's been out since about 3 am. So not much BYC today.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just want to express deep gratitude.

To newbyduckmom, for not giving up on Mildred, when circumstances were piled up against her.

To Marty1876, for coming forward with another approach that I pray will be just what Mildred and newbyduckmom need to be rid of this awful infection.

X2!!

 

[Marty1876]

Did you try the poultice this morning? How is your sweet patient?

 

[newbyduckmom]

Yep, she's been "potatoed". She's happy and bobbing her head and chattering away. Silly duck. It actually looks really good today. No sign of swelling. Keep getting my hopes up, and then it swells again. But this time it is gonna be fine!

The milk cartoon works wonders too! Thought she'd be afraid of it. But all I needed to do was wiggle my fingers in the water - sure keeps things drier. Will cut down on clean up time- she's one messy duck when it comes to food and water.

 

[Marty1876]

They all are, aren't they! LOL. I hope that the mucus plug you removed contained her forign matter, so that the potatoe can just draw out the rest of the loose infection material, and seal her up a bit. Glad shes happy and expressive.

Happy Spring!

 

[newbyduckmom]

I changed the poultice this morning. The foot looks pretty good. But still scabbed over. The wrap and poultice were brown (not surprising given the potato), but no sign of any foreign object. Of course, the scab is firmly in place on both the top and the bottom of the foot. Any suggestions?


Your ducks are beauties! What is the black one? Cayuga? Very pretty. (I want one! LOL of course, don't most duck owners want one of each at least?)

 

[Marty1876]

I'd let her swim in a tub for an hour to soften it up. Hot compress may also loosenn it up.

You say she is scabbed top and bottem.... Do you mean there are two wound openings? If the scab is holding well, and their is no more swelling, that lends validatioin to the idea you removed the foreign matter. Next time you take off the poultice, wash area well, and re wrap dry. Lets see if she is oozing. If there is still stuff in there, it will begin the ooze again shortly.

What is the longest she has gone without reswelling? Does it smell funny? Can she still bend and flex the foot normally yet? IS it hot to the touch?

 

[newbyduckmom]

I'd let her swim in a tub for an hour to soften it up. Hot compress may also loosen it up. The tub would make her happy! I will try it.

You say she is scabbed top and bottem.... Do you mean there are two wound openings? Yes, one on top of foot and one on bottom. I took the big plug out of the top of the foot last Saturday. I think that must have been where the antibiotics failed, since I hadn't opened the foot on top before and there was a lump there. If the scab is holding well, and their is no more swelling, that lends validatioin to the idea you removed the foreign matter. I am hoping! Next time you take off the poultice, wash area well, and re wrap dry. Lets see if she is oozing. If there is still stuff in there, it will begin the ooze again shortly.

What is the longest she has gone without reswelling? 4-5 days. Does it smell funny? No Can she still bend and flex the foot normally yet? She still favors it to walk on it. IS it hot to the touch? No She was pretty spunky yesterday. Today she's been really quiet. :0( Which is not at all normal for her - she is one loud duck.