Poor Mallard...Look at her feet, yikes!

[azhenhouse]

70%cocoa :

Good for you for rescuing Mallerie. I bet that being able to swim and being away from the drakes is a huge relief for her. Poor little sausage!!

I really am a total duck newbie but I would expect that simply being in a dry environment (no bathing water) and on a rough surface is enough to do that to her feet. I would guess that the best initial treatment for her feet is to be on a non-abrasive surface (that she can still grip onto) and to have access to bathing water. So - exactly what you are doing now, except I am wondering if the bath surface is a little slippery and that's perhaps contributing to her falling over? Maybe see if you can put down a towel or even that 'non slip' stuff you put under rugs. I can see in the pic that you have something down there already - you are the best judge of whether the surface provides enough grip. The bathing water should help her feather condition as well. The fact that she looks so saturated in the pic shows that she has not bathed in a long time....she has no protective oil spread over her feathers. Bathing is essential for good feather condition as we know! Until she develops better feather protection and 'oils up' a bit she might need drying off with a towel.

I'm sure that under your care she will soon be looking magnificent.

I'm also sure that other more experienced people will have advice on whether or not to use any medications.

edited to spell her name right!

I have non-slip mats down for her, but she still falls over. She'll even fall over in her box of pine shavings. I am hoping that she just needs some recovery time.

 

[nettie]

I would allow her bathing time during the day, and then at night, take away the bathing water and get some anti-fingals on those feet. Let her stay dry over night and repeat the next day.

 

[azhenhouse]

Thanks Nettie!

 

[krcote]

If you can swing it, take her to see a vet. I am very worried about her drinking any water that her feet with fungal cream were in. You may make her much sicker or worse

So glad you got her out of there!

 

[azhenhouse]

So, I have applied anti-fungal cream to Mallerie's feet. The directions say that I should use it for seven days, and apply it twice a day. Do I follow these directions for her or is it used differently on ducks? Her feet had started to look better before the application but still were in pretty bad shape. They remind of dried leaves, like they could crumble up at any moment. Does that make since? Another concern of my is her shaking/wobbling. Not shaking like she's cold or nervous, but more like, well like she has Parkinsons. This only happens when she is standing. I am not at all familiar with Mallards, are they noisy ducks? She is very quiet, and opens her mouth to quack but seldom does anything come out. Normal? Should she be on antibiotics? Should I worm her? I feel bad that she is alone will this slow her healing down? Don't worry, I am not going to put her in with my other ducks.

A vet is not an option, so I must treat myself. Advice, thoughts, concerns, and prayers are all welcome. Thanks for your help.

 

[DuckLover179]

Poor thing! I would follow the directions on the bottle, as long as she isn't eating it. Mallards (From what I've seen) aren't too loud. Not as loud as my Pekin, of course! You should probably get her on antibiotics, honestly I have no idea what to recommend. I was going to suggest Baytril, but looked on Wikipedia, and it's for bacterial infections.. Not fungal. Her healing should be fine without other ducks, but I would recommend giving her a mirror, to have a bit more company.

Hope that helps! I'm praying for her, and you guys!

 

[chikky]

Is there any way this could have been from frostbite (her feet)? Don't know what area she's from.

I suspect a week or two of TLC with the vitamins, good food, and rest may help her a Whole Lot.

So kind of you to take her in and love her

 

[duck walk]

awe...that poor little girl...I am so glad you have rescued her and given her a chance to mend and have a good life...best of luck with her...

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
Boy, Pekin ducks are loud! I just adopted one a few weeks ago, and she is a talker.

I think I will get Mallerie a mirror. I am going to try the cream for a while, and see how that goes. Honestly, I am at such a loss on how to treat her. It is my understanding that ducks are resilient creatures, and I am hoping to see it first hand. Thanks for the prayers.

 

[DuckLady]

Her feet look like frost bite that is healing which would make her unsteady from pain or if she was in a pond, something was biting her feet.

I would keep her away from the larger drakes, because she looks pretty roughed up now and larger drakes can ultimately kill her. THey get overly zealous in the springtime.