Severe limping in duck after bumblefoot is almost healed

[MOgle84]

You're very much welcome, glad I could be of help.

Okay, so she has been on the nutritional yeast now since 10/17. Now, her other leg that had no issues and did not have the bumblefoot, is in bad shape. As you can see from the picture (ignore the mud, it's been raining for two days), the upper joint is very swollen, hot and tender. When she tries to take a step, the toes on that foot curl under and she falls forward. I'm still trying to find a vet that will possibly see her. Her appetite is still very good and she's drinking and popping normally. She's been in the small play yard during the day, with her small pool and is in the dog crate at night. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Isaac 0]

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Okay, so she has been on the nutritional yeast now since 10/17. Now, her other leg that had no issues and did not have the bumblefoot, is in bad shape. As you can see from the picture (ignore the mud, it's been raining for two days), the upper joint is very swollen, hot and tender. When she tries to take a step, the toes on that foot curl under and she falls forward. I'm still trying to find a vet that will possibly see her. Her appetite is still very good and she's drinking and popping normally. She's been in the small play yard during the day, with her small pool and is in the dog crate at night. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Could you try to get a video of her walking? To post video, upload it to youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here.

How do the foot pads look on the leg?

 

[MOgle84]

Could you try to get a video of her walking? To post video, upload it to youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here.

How do the foot pads look on the leg?

I will take a video in the morning and load it on my YouTube account and post the link. She's tucked away for the night. But I'm not sure how much that will help as she isn't really walking at all. She'll try to take a step then fall forward and use her wing for stability. Thanks again for the quick response!

 

[MOgle84]

I will take a video in the morning and load it on my YouTube account and post the link. She's tucked away for the night. But I'm not sure how much that will help as she isn't really walking at all. She'll try to take a step then fall forward and use her wing for stability. Thanks again for the quick response!

Also, the foot pads look good, no marks, sores or discoloration.

 

[MOgle84]

Good news! I found a local vet who will see her. I could not get a video this morning as she will not walk at all. Happy to float in her pool, but just rests when not in the pool. Hoping the vet has some answers and can provide treatment. She has an appointment tomorrow!!

 

[Isaac 0]

Good news! I found a local vet who will see her. I could not get a video this morning as she will not walk at all. Happy to float in her pool, but just rests when not in the pool. Hoping the vet has some answers and can provide treatment. She has an appointment tomorrow!!

Let us know what the vet says. It could be something like septic arthritis, Mycoplasma, trauma, or some sort of infection like osteomyelitis. If the joint feels warm, and her WBC count is high, he may start her on antibiotics, and a NSAID like Meloxicam.

 

[MOgle84]

Let us know what the vet says. It could be something like septic arthritis, Mycoplasma, trauma, or some sort of infection like osteomyelitis. If the joint feels warm, and her WBC count is high, he may start her on antibiotics, and a NSAID like Meloxicam.

Quick update, Cornbread has been started on an antibiotic (SMZ) and Meloxicam for 7 days then will follow up with the vet again. The vet did not do lab work at this point, he believes she sprained the leg while trying to keep weight off of the other leg and her large stature did not do her any favors. Doing epsom salt soaks in the evenings which has been reducing the swelling in the hock joint. She appears to be improving, still limiting her freedom to the small play yard. Will update again once we're done with meds.

 

[brookecostner1]

Hey! I’m basically going through same exact thing, did your duck heal up and if so how long did it take?

 

[Sabswan327]

You're very much welcome, glad I could be of help.

Hi Isaac, I have a similar situation with my Duck. They are almost 4 mo. She had a pretty bad case of bumble foot about a month ago, treated it with epson soak everyday and silver honey for 3 weeks, as well as wrapping her foot and confining her. Week 2.5 the scab fell off, and I continued to soak everyday day, and the leg looks great, but she still is limping, she applies some pressure to her leg, but she mostly uses the hock joint to stabilize herself. Her poop was runny, but since in the last 2 weeks it looks like normal duck poop. This weekend I started to slowly integrate her back into the flock. Letting her swim and eat with her siblings. Behavior is normal, not as loud as the other ducks. But going on a month and she is still not walking normal. Happy to upload any pics or vids tomorrow. She sleeps in a med so dog create and goes out with her buddies from about 3:30-6pm. Thx so much for any info

You're very much welcome, glad I could be of help.