My girl Mildred - ninja duck

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They don't look very swollen or painful, but the edges seem to be drying, which may inhibit closing over completely.

You see it every day, what is your take on her progress? Is it improving? Swelling down?

Did you pack with a dry bandage last night, and what was on it when you unpacked today?
 
It definitely is doing better than the previous four times I have cut her open to remove the infection. Never have gone 4-5 days without having another big lump. Usually by the 3 day it is feeling hard to the touch. I only feel a small area right at the edge of the incision that feels hard. So it definitely is much better much longer than previous go arounds. The darkening of the scab concerns me.

The bandage was off this morning - even though I used first aid tape on it last night. Don't know how she got it off. So there was little if any discharge - possibly since it was on a short time (although it was still on when I went to bed so it had been on several 4-5 hours). Been checking periodically today to make sure she hasn't lost it again. So far so good. She definitely is better...if the traditional trend had held she would have had a knot the size of a dime by now. And that definitely is not the case. A little swelling on the left....hardness only at the margin where the scab ends. But she's been pretty quiet. That concerns me. Still eating good. Somewhat chattery when I go in and talk to her. Will give her some play time in the duck house when I do my weekly wash-down tomorrow and put a buddy in there. And give her bath time tonight. That may help. She does not appear to be warm to the touch on the foot still, and no smell. I keep checking....Better, but guessing will not feel totally comfortable until it is healed over for a couple of months......
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I have some bag balm, would that help to soften the edges a little or would that be a danger for holding in infection?
 
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I think after some swim time, I'd definately apply bag balm carefully to the edges of the wound, and on the hard scab. A darkening scab is not a bad sign. Mildred becoming increasingly quiet is probobly normal for a duck confined a long time. Shes just adjusting, like a hen in a cage would have to. She'll be back to her old self soon. Once the top and bottem have scabs, I think you can let her have outdoor time, but in green grassy areas, no mud, no blackberrys, or rough landscape until the first scabs fall off. On deep wounds, a second scab would not be abnormal. Deep wounds continue to drain slighly for weeks, even as they heal.

I say let her swim-maybe give her a swimming box (walmart plastic storage container, old cooler, etc) for daily bathings, and to moisten and soften skin on wound. Then apply cream neosporine and bag balm to edges, and wrap up again for maybe another 5 days. Monitor bandage for signs of green or if there is a darkening yellow. A medium yellow gradually getting lighter is a good sign. Any pink or tinges of blood at this point may still be normal as well. The important part is lessoning drainage, and lightening shades of color. Anything but green, so long as it is getting less and lighter, is ok.

Keep up the good work, she's responding to your excellent caregiving.
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Well, she got her swim time. She pulled of this morning's bandage - again. Either she's getting smarter or I am not wrapping them as well (??). Don't know how she managed to get it off with the first aid tape I have been using, but she does. (Off to get more bedding, vet-wrap, restock other first aid supplies tomorrow). Swim (she still was pretty quiet even in the water), sick bay cleaned, bag balm, some peas, and she's snoozing.

I need a nap too! LOL
 
newbyduckmom said:
Well, she got her swim time. She pulled of this morning's bandage - again. Either she's getting smarter or I am not wrapping them as well (??). Don't know how she managed to get it off with the first aid tape I have been using, but she does. (Off to get more bedding, vet-wrap, restock other first aid supplies tomorrow). Swim (she still was pretty quiet even in the water), sick bay cleaned, bag balm, some peas, and she's snoozing.

I need a nap too! LOL
Click to expand...

When this is all over and Mildred is back with her family[outside family that is] we will have to figure out a way to have a celebration of You and of Mildreds healing!! You have gone above and beyond...
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Mildred being healthy and happy and outside with the flock will be all the celebration needed. How did I get so attached to a "barnyard animal"? (Friends and family think I have lost my mind. Little do they know how much those 'silly creatures' do for my sanity!)
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newbyduckmom is one of the most sane creatures I know of, at least when it comes to caring for a little duck, which counts for quite a bit with me. But then, I am a duck lover.
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I think you are absolutely normal, especially in BYC circles, for loving and caring about your duck. I certainly tend and worry over my animals. I'm on here after an all night obstetrics call to some expensive hatching eggs. Thats just how it goes sometimes, but I'll be glad for the trouble when the babies are out of the woods.


I believe that you are going to have a special friendship with Mildred forever now. You've tamed her down a lot, I should think. I'll think of her whenever I'm getting frozen peas! (Wheres my peas, human?) LOL

If you need to spare some expense, why don't use just wash an old worn t--shirt, or tear up an old cotten dress shirt or etc (cotten or linen) to use for wrapping up Mildred? If she wants to remove trhe bandages so bad, slip an old sock over it, once your done, and Use a bit of duct tape, or perhaps a well knotted stirp of cloth (think old fashioned bandages here) to secure it, then just cut to remove. They should work as well, and save you a bit on your medical expenses. (Got any old mismatched baby or toddler socks?) I'm sure Mildred won't mind one further painless indignity, and it will give her something to do.

Has the milk jug helped out with water troubles?
 

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