Please help! Duck with limpy leg, bumble foot, wet feather

[Crazy Maizie]

Thank you! I may have to ask my vet for special order flavored baytril, this girl will not eat any yucky medicine no matter what!

You might have to just administer it straight into her mouth and not let her be in control.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

Thanks! The bumble is kind of weird now. It used to be big bulbous in one area, now it’s a lot more flat and puffy, but the swelling has spread to more of her foot. I believe her last molt was in the fall.

From the photos, it is apparent that its spread into her foot which is not a good sign. I think seeing the vet again would be the best option. Is your vet an avian vet?

 

[hayleyasaurus]

Please don't wash her with dish soap. If she's having preening issues it's either because she can't reach her preening gland or the preening gland is blocked. Usually a warm cloth on the preening gland will dislodge any debris. Do you know where to look for the preening gland?
Wet feather isn't only on the belly and rear end. She might be getting urine scald (caused from sitting in feces) since what you're seeing is only affecting her underside. Is she sitting a lot?

I see you've gotten a lot of great advice for treating bumblefoot, but you also need to think about what is causing it and prevent it in the future.
While recouping she should keep the foot dry and if it hasn't already been suggested, you should get her a duck bootie so that she can stay off the bumblefoot as much as possible.

She's got a lot of issues going on at once.
What's her set up like?
What type of food is she currently eating? Treats?
What water sources does she have access to?

Okay I’ll definitely try wiping the gland with a warm cloth. I know it’s on her back/see her using it with her head but don’t totally know how to find it. She has been sitting more than normal. The vet recommended keeping her in the pen while she recovers, but I recently started letting her out as I thought she was in too much. In general they sit more in the winter since the ground is frozen and usually too cold for a pool.

Yes I have the bootie! I used it for a while right after removing the scab initially. Unfortunately she can’t walk well with it and it was putting too much pressure on her other non bumble leg. That leg is super swollen, limpy, and bowed. The vet and I have no idea why. I thought maybe niacin so giving her that now, do you think that’s what’s causing it or any other ideas on why her non bumble leg is swollen and in pain? She’s definitely putting much more pressure/weight on the bumble leg so I believe that’s why it’s not getting better.

Yes! I don’t know what it is with this girl, but unfortunately she’s had a lot of health issues while my other duck is completely healthy (and way older, she’s 11!)

I have a 8x24 pen. The floor has restaurant mats. I recently added repticarpet like mats on top as we believe the holes in the restaurant mats may have been contributing to the bumble. They eat the Purina duck chow with oyster shell and now nutritional yeast as well. For treats they get a lot of kale and strawberries. Since it’s winter they currently have 2 heated bowls of water in the pen. On a nice day I give them tubs to bathe in. In the summer they have a nice baby pool and ramp.

Thank you!!

 

[hayleyasaurus]

You might have to just administer it straight into her mouth and not let her be in control.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/


From the photos, it is apparent that its spread into her foot which is not a good sign. I think seeing the vet again would be the best option. Is your vet an avian vet?

Oh okay! I think it’s because she only puts weight on that bumble foot so it can’t heal. Just wanted to clarify are you talking about the photo of the bumble or the one of her standing up? The swollen leg on the standing up photo is actually her other non bumble leg. Just wanted to make sure. Yes she’s an avian vet I’ve been messaging with her as well but haven’t really gotten anywhere with this. I’ll definitely go back if I need to but trying to avoid it she needed sedation last time we went. Thanks!

 

[hayleyasaurus]

It could be she isn't preening as much especially if she isn't bathing if your in cold weather. My poor ducks haven't had a pool in over a month just this week I have been putting water in the cement mixing tub for them. If they aren't bathing they really don't preen much.
Sounds like the infection may have moved into more of her foot. I'd def talk to your vet about another round of antibiotics and you might want to try Tricide neo
https://ouroneacrefarm.com/2014/11/30/non-invasive-bumblefoot-treatment-success-stories/
@Aunt Angus can help you with this treatement
And if you decide to order booties for her while your waiting here is good info on how to wrap
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wrapping-feet.1255043/

Thank you for this info! Yes I’ve been trying to give them more tubs of water it’s hard in the winter! I’ll definitely try the tricide neo. Seems like it could be a good option for her.

Any thoughts on what’s going on with her non bumble leg? That’s the swollen one that she’s limping and bowe legged on. The vet didn’t know thought maybe an infection but it didn’t clear up with the antibiotics. I thought maybe niacin so I’m trying that just I’m not sure.

I do have more of the antibiotic I originally got from the vet as well. I can do another course of that. I mainly stopped because she was on it for about a month and started getting diarrhea. Her poop seems normal now though.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It'd probably be a good idea to get her on a probiotic, especially if she's been on antibiotics for a while and obviously still needs something.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

If the other leg is swollen, it could be anything. Arthritis maybe?
My ducks tend to get dirtier bottoms in the winter as well because they sit to warm themselves and stay in their coop more. But, that's not wet feather.
Wet feather would be apparent on her back feathers. The preening gland is at the base of the tail where it meets the body.
The restaurant mats could be causing issues if the holes are big enough for a duck to trip on. If frozen, they might be too hard on her feet as well. I use straw in the winter - it provides a nice soft layer for them to walk on and snuggle in.
I'd start with the super b complex, treat the bumblefoot as suggested, and add probiotics as suggested. See if she is able to recoup after a few weeks of starting the super b complex and probiotics. If not, then it might be time to go see the vet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is the leg that is bowed and swollen have any more heat than the other one?
The liquid B complex should help if it's niacin deficiency. And it will give support as well when healing from trauma or other issues.
I wonder along with niacin def if just overcompensating since the other leg and foot have been hurt. Like overusing the healthy one? I'd make sure she has swim time even if you have to bring her inside so you can use warm water. Getting the pressure off her legs is always a good thing and water therapy really helps. And make sure while she is healing to not let her overdo. If she is constantly trying to keep up with the rest of your birds then she may be overdoing it. Rest water therapy and meds are the best for healing.
And yes a good bird probiotic should always be given when antibiotics are used.
I just saw you only have one other duck which is probably best to keep them together. Just try and keep this one from overdoing.

 

[hayleyasaurus]

It'd probably be a good idea to get her on a probiotic, especially if she's been on antibiotics for a while and obviously still needs something.

Yes I totally agree! Do you have any brand recommendations? Thanks!

 

[hayleyasaurus]

If the other leg is swollen, it could be anything. Arthritis maybe?
My ducks tend to get dirtier bottoms in the winter as well because they sit to warm themselves and stay in their coop more. But, that's not wet feather.
Wet feather would be apparent on her back feathers. The preening gland is at the base of the tail where it meets the body.
The restaurant mats could be causing issues if the holes are big enough for a duck to trip on. If frozen, they might be too hard on her feet as well. I use straw in the winter - it provides a nice soft layer for them to walk on and snuggle in.
I'd start with the super b complex, treat the bumblefoot as suggested, and add probiotics as suggested. See if she is able to recoup after a few weeks of starting the super b complex and probiotics. If not, then it might be time to go see the vet.

View attachment 2989314

Sounds like a plan thank you!

 

[hayleyasaurus]

Is the leg that is bowed and swollen have any more heat than the other one?
The liquid B complex should help if it's niacin deficiency. And it will give support as well when healing from trauma or other issues.
I wonder along with niacin def if just overcompensating since the other leg and foot have been hurt. Like overusing the healthy one? I'd make sure she has swim time even if you have to bring her inside so you can use warm water. Getting the pressure off her legs is always a good thing and water therapy really helps. And make sure while she is healing to not let her overdo. If she is constantly trying to keep up with the rest of your birds then she may be overdoing it. Rest water therapy and meds are the best for healing.
And yes a good bird probiotic should always be given when antibiotics are used.
I just saw you only have one other duck which is probably best to keep them together. Just try and keep this one from overdoing.

Yes it definitely possible! I feel better now that I have a plan that I think can help her. I’ll definitely let her swim more. There wasn’t any more heat on either leg. It’s impossible to know but I feel like the limp happened before the bumble because I caught the bumble very early and thought it’d heal quickly and it just keeps getting worse. Thanks so much for all your advice! This all sounds like a good plan! Luckily the good thing about winter is that they both mostly just rest more anyway.