Peeling, scabby, sore duck feet! Advice very welcome please.

[PirateGirl]

I agree that it looks like extreme frostbite. Webs will not grow back. Depending how deeply the tissue is damaged she may or may not lose toes entirely. Your biggest issue is going to be watching for signs of infection. Infection could go systemic and if it develops I would highly recommend a vet for antibiotics. Also with frostbite it is crucial not to allow her back in cold temperatures until fully healed or the problem can be made worse.

 

[aart]

I'm not sure she'd have been exposed to anything cold enough to give her frost bite... she came inside just before the first really cold snap happened about a week ago.

....and what temps were those?
I can't imagine anything but frostbite that would make the skin peel off like that.
You don't use any lime on the ground do you?

We live in the South West of England.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know if this is frostbite ,chemical burns or what but those feet look in bad shape did find this on the web
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/frostbite

 

[aart]

I remember a while back on the emergency thread one of the educators was giving info on frostbite an how to treat just can’t remember who it was just thought you might know.

Hmmm.... @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock would know.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can’t imagine ESalt causing that kind of issues unless she was living in it. I’ve soaked my ducks feet many times in it an never had anything like that happen not even any peeling.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree it looks like Frostbite.

Even though this is a chicken, "treatment" would be the same for Ducks. The hen did loose both feet, but she's learned to manage somewhat. The OP outlined what she did in the first post. Soaking every other day in Epsom salts and keeping feet clean/dry/wrapped with antiseptic spray (I assume something like Vetericyn). The Epsom Salts may be "drying" but I would make the assumption that's what you want when tissue is dead like that, it's going to dry and fall off anyway, so it may help promote that. I'm not a vet nor expert, so doing some reading of severe frostbite cases on the ER forums and seeing what others have successfully done would be your best bet.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/frostbite-lost-both-feet-my-hens-story.1343701/

 

[Miss Lydia]

Both feet Yes. I believe it's 6C they are in the UK

 

[DuckyDonna]

I don’t think so

so how does that affect swimming?

 

[Jpat]

I don’t know about duck feet particularly, but in terms of general wound care:
-no more swimming
- black tissue appears dead, will probably continue to fall off
-looks like there is some pink granulation tissue (healing) there, which is a good sign
- IF she was mine, I’d wash her feet in an antiseptic solution, pack with polysporin (or neosporin or other antibiotic ointment) then wrap her feet, keeping toes gently separate and change bandages daily
I don’t think webs will grow back, but I can’t see that being a problem for a pet duck’s swimming, I’m sure she’d manage a tub or little pool

Like I said, I’m no expert but I do know how soft their little feeties are and I think bandages and ointment will provide the best environment for healing
Best of luck!

Great post!

 

[Ratchnick]

I can't fathom a ducks foot getting frostbite at or just below freezing. I have seen post where people have their ducks at -40 and they don't have frostbite.