Please help! Duckling has swollen leg.

[FuzzyCritters]

Last Thursday, and eagle attacked my broody duck and her ducklings. While they were running to escape, either the mother or the juvenile geese that share the pen with them must have stepped on one of the ducklings. I discovered the duckling limping on Friday and separated him. His leg and middle toe were swollen, and he could not bend his ankle joint.

Yesterday, his leg was looking better. The swelling had gone down a little bit and her was even flexing his ankle joint a bit.

Today, his leg has taken a turn for the worse. It is even more swollen than on Friday. His leg, all his toes, and his footpad are very swollen. His footpad feels like a full water balloon--firm, but I can push on it. Should I try to drain it?

He can't bend his ankle and he can't flex any of his toes. I suspect a break (though I have no way to tell), or an infection. I noticed a tiny scrape on his leg today--is that enough to cause a bad infection this fast?

Should I put him on an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory? I have tetracycline, amoxicillin, and injectable penicillin. No anti-inflammatories other than aspirin.

 

[DobieLover]

Last Thursday, and eagle attacked my broody duck and her ducklings. While they were running to escape, either the mother or the juvenile geese that share the pen with them must have stepped on one of the ducklings. I discovered the duckling limping on Friday and separated him. His leg and middle toe were swollen, and he could not bend his ankle joint.

Yesterday, his leg was looking better. The swelling had gone down a little bit and her was even flexing his ankle joint a bit.

Today, his leg has taken a turn for the worse. It is even more swollen than on Friday. His leg, all his toes, and his footpad are very swollen. His footpad feels like a full water balloon--firm, but I can push on it. Should I try to drain it?

He can't bend his ankle and he can't flex any of his toes. I suspect a break (though I have no way to tell), or an infection. I noticed a tiny scrape on his leg today--is that enough to cause a bad infection this fast?

Should I put him on an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory? I have tetracycline, amoxicillin, and injectable penicillin. No anti-inflammatories other than aspirin.

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@Isaac 0, can you help with this one?

 

[Isaac 0]

@FuzzyCritters , how is your duckling doing today?
There will often be swelling after injury due to increased fluid buildup in the injured tissue; so not totally abnormal to be seeing such a thing after an injury. The cause for concern is there are other issues such as hard tissue damage (broken bones/muscles), and infection that could also cause swelling to appear.
Broken bones can usually be diagnosed if you thoroughly palpate, bend, and feel the leg/joints of the bird listening for clicking, or feeling anything out of the ordinary.
I cannot say with certainty, but with the wide expanse of tissue currently swollen, it would seem unlikely that whole area became infected so quickly.
A more precise conclusion of what is causing the swelling could be found by seeing a veterinarian in your area experienced with birds.
If it were mine, I would keep it with the other birds, but separated in an enclosure that significantly reduces the amount of movement it can do; the area should be calm, quiet, warm, and softly padded.
Administering a poultry vitamin/electrolyte would help correct any deficits caused by the attack, or post-injury stress.
I would also start weighing the duckling daily on a gram scale to help ensure it is gaining weight and is not slacking off on eating.
These measures will help you hasten healing, and monitor the bird to help ensure it is on the right track of recovery.
In the case her condition worsens, I would really suggest a trip to an avian vet.