Please Help Duck Limping

[FaithArthur123999]

Hello! I have a 14 week Old Indian runner drake and the rest. I came to let them all out this morning and noticed my Drake 'Donald' Limping. I am a newish duck owner and only really know much about chickens. Hes walking around falling because of the limp and cant keep up with the rest. Ive had a good look over his feet and legs and felt his leg bone all the way up to feel for any broken bones but cant see anything or feel anything. He was fine last night, only seen happen since letting him out. I am so worried about him, hes just standing on 1 leg
I have some meloxicam etc for the chickens, would it be worth giving him some and see how it goes? Im so worried he broken a bone but cant see how in the coop.

Should I segregate him? Him and his brother are insperable so dont want do if I dont have to but want him to get better.

I want try and avoid the vets as a first to see if there is anything I can do or if this is common? My local vets dont specialise in poultry so they do get a hard time when ever I bring my poultry too them, they are so lovely that they try anyway.

Any help would be appreciated x

 

[FaithArthur123999]

****UPDATE**** I have just noticed that his back claw (small thumb type) has snapped off. Not bleeding or anything, could this be the cause of the limping??

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm sure that hurts and maybe what is causing limping if no bumble foot or other injury.
You could soak Donald's foot in some warm Epsom salt water it can help with healing and inflammation.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Should I segregate him? Him and his brother are insperable so dont want do if I dont have to but want him to get better.

Do you have a cage or enclosure he can be in and still see his brother? It would probably be best for him not to walk on it for a few days.

 

[FaithArthur123999]

Hey thank you for both of your replies. Ive got him in a large sheltered dog cage in the run and the others are happily laying by him. He has drank well today but he hasnt eaten at all, hes had his own seperate bowl of food in the cage and hasnt touched it, wont even touch treats (although hes not a fan of treats) is this something to be concerned about? Ive again had a good look over his leg and foot and cant see anything. Hes moving his leg but not putting weight on it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I wonder if he may have caught his foot in something and when he pulled it out pulled off the back claw and maybe got a sprain?
Rest and water therapy plus Vitamin therapy like Liquid B Complex can all help support him while he heals.
When I put my Runner into a dog X pen still with everyone but where she wasn't chasing after them she got depressed and wouldn't eat. So after a few days I separated the Runners from the chickens and Muscovy by using a dog pen to keep the runners in one part of the yard where she could be with them but not running up an down the hill trying to stay up. She had a pretty good limp was the reason for doing this. If there is a way of keeping Donald out with everyone but fixing it so they all have limited space so he still has to rest that might get him eating.

 

[FaithArthur123999]

I wonder if he may have caught his foot in something and when he pulled it out pulled off the back claw and maybe got a sprain?
Rest and water therapy plus Vitamin therapy like Liquid B Complex can all help support him while he heals.
When I put my Runner into a dog X pen still with everyone but where she wasn't chasing after them she got depressed and wouldn't eat. So after a few days I separated the Runners from the chickens and Muscovy by using a dog pen to keep the runners in one part of the yard where she could be with them but not running up an down the hill trying to stay up. She had a pretty good limp was the reason for doing this. If there is a way of keeping Donald out with everyone but fixing it so they all have limited space so he still has to rest that might get him eating.

Hey thank you for your response. Its very possible, ive been trying to work out how he has done this but all I can think is that there are some big rocks around the pond and he never takes rhe sensible route out the pond (there is a slop for them to get out) and sometimes he throws him self onto the rocks. I will definitely give that all a go tomorrow, hes drank well today but never saw him eat, will try and monitor that again tomorrow. Thanks so much for your help. Ill give you and update on how he is

 

[FaithArthur123999]

Update
Hello, no sign of improvement since yesterday but is still early. He enjoy a soak in some warm epsom salt water, I was hoping to see his injured leg move in the water but it wasnt. He wont/cant put any weight at all on his injured leg making it very hard for him to move. I let him out with the others but when we went near the water bowl, his brother started climbing on top of him. I am not sure what this behaviour is? But I dont think Donalds like it at all. Ive put donals back in his cage for now but he still wont eat. Im adding to this update at mid day, I have noticed that his joing it quite swollen on his injured leg, the joint just above his foot on his left foot. Feels a little warm but not too hot. Ive attached a picture of it below. Sorry the pics arent great, its hard to juggle a duck and a phone .

 

[Miss Lydia]

His brother sees him as weak and wants to dominate. Good to keep them separated
Any chance of having a vet look at him. . What about at his hip feel both sides and see if you can tell there is anything going on with the hurt side?
He may need some Meloxicam for inflammation. Only problem is once he's on the pain meds he could make his injury worse if he isn't kept penned. Because the pain med will mask the pain.
Also if you can get him to a vet they can show you how to tube feed him. Once they stoip eating they can go downhill pretty fast. We have info here on tube feeding might be a good idea to go ahead and get what you need just in case.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

 

[FaithArthur123999]

His brother sees him as weak and wants to dominate. Good to keep them separated
Any chance of having a vet look at him. . What about at his hip feel both sides and see if you can tell there is anything going on with the hurt side?
He may need some Meloxicam for inflammation. Only problem is once he's on the pain meds he could make his injury worse if he isn't kept penned. Because the pain med will mask the pain.
Also if you can get him to a vet they can show you how to tube feed him. Once they stoip eating they can go downhill pretty fast. We have info here on tube feeding might be a good idea to go ahead and get what you need just in case.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

Thank you for your response, I edited that Update I had just done with a picture. His joint is now swollen on the leg and looks like the culprit for his pain. I gave him some meloxicam this morning and have kept him in the dog cage again so he doesnt have to move far for food and water. He enjoys a splash in the water as done this twice so far. I will look into the tube feeding. Sorry the picture is poor, trying to juggle him and take a photo, do you know what would cause this swelling? Cant see anything impaled?