Something is wrong with my ducks leg

[kmullett11]

Please help me. I noticed that my duck was limping so I made sure he was near food and water so he didn't have to move very much. Within days it is very swolen. Although if I touch if he doesn't help at all. I have him separated from the other duck and chickens so he can rest. I also wrap his leg with an ace bandage. I'm at a loss because nothing is changing. Please tell me if this looks broken or what it could possibly be and how I can help him!

 

[bbducks]

Sorry to hear that! I had a duck with the same problem. It actually looks the same as my ducks leg was. It started limping around before getting feathers and got to be so bad that it could barely walk it died one morning. it could be because it ate newspaper (ducks can get damaged legs by eating newspaper) but I don't think that was the problem with mine because it was rarely around newspaper. There was nothing that I could do to save it but I think you should take your duck to the vet to see what they think.

 

[Duck Drover]

I had a hen break her leg and it was actually dangling. The break was so splintered that I was afraid I would not be able to set it but I actually was able to use layers of paper tape to make a cast and when I unwrapped the leg after a month she had healed extremely well. I kept her in a tub inside so she did not have to move to eat or drink and I splinted the leg to her body for the first few weeks before I let her put weight on it.

If you can feel a break and set the bones you can heal a broken leg. If it just feels swollen it could be soft tissue damage. You can split it for support if that helps or just let the duck favor it and see if it is able to gradually put weight on it.

I have a hen now that carried one leg behind her and I could not feel a break so I have just let her limp with it. It is getting better where she has it under her more so I think it is healing but soft tissues can take longer to heal than breaks.

I tore my ankle tendon 8 months ago and I walked on my ankle for 6 months thinking it was a torn ligament until I had an MRI and discovered the tendon tore so bad that it will not heal without surgery. I will have surgery on the 26th, 9 months after my injury, and then it will still take another 6 months to heal following the surgical repair.

Since your duckling is using the leg for support, you may not need to do too much for it but you could tape the leg in order to help stabilize the tendon during healing. You could also do nothing and keep an eye on it to make sure it is getting better and not worse. Sometimes swellings will show bruising or feel hot to the touch but it looks like it is just swollen so hopefully it is only a sprain.

Have you checked the toe functioning to make sure nothing is dislocated?

 

[kmullett11]

I am very new to having ducks and chickens.I have bad his a little over 2 months. I have no idea how to feel for a break or even replace it if it is. He will stand on it but all of his weight is on his other leg. I give him baths twice a day for the weightless feeling, I do Epsom salt compresses and he is in a different room in the house now in a play pen where he can rest and easly get to fold and water. I'm scared that I don't know what I'm doing and he's going to have a horrible life wobbling

 

[kmullett11]

I had a hen break her leg and it was actually dangling. The break was so splintered that I was afraid I would not be able to set it but I actually was able to use layers of paper tape to make a cast and when I unwrapped the leg after a month she had healed extremely well. I kept her in a tub inside so she did not have to move to eat or drink and I splinted the leg to her body for the first few weeks before I let her put weight on it.

If you can feel a break and set the bones you can heal a broken leg. If it just feels swollen it could be soft tissue damage. You can split it for support if that helps or just let the duck favor it and see if it is able to gradually put weight on it.

I have a hen now that carried one leg behind her and I could not feel a break so I have just let her limp with it. It is getting better where she has it under her more so I think it is healing but soft tissues can take longer to heal than breaks.

I tore my ankle tendon 8 months ago and I walked on my ankle for 6 months thinking it was a torn ligament until I had an MRI and discovered the tendon tore so bad that it will not heal without surgery. I will have surgery on the 26th, 9 months after my injury, and then it will still take another 6 months to heal following the surgical repair.

Since your duckling is using the leg for support, you may not need to do too much for it but you could tape the leg in order to help stabilize the tendon during healing. You could also do nothing and keep an eye on it to make sure it is getting better and not worse. Sometimes swellings will show bruising or feel hot to the touch but it looks like it is just swollen so hopefully it is only a sprain.

Have you checked the toe functioning to make sure nothing is dislocated?

How do I know what I am feeling for? I am very new to ducks and chickens. This just breaks my heart for him.

 

[Duck Drover]

If you are not sure what you are feeling, compare the injured leg to the good leg and see where things do not look or feel right. Push the toes from underneath and be sure there is some resistance. Check the foot on the injured leg against the good foot to make sure the toes will bend and flatten out properly. I am not sure if I am seeing discoloration in the webbing between the toes and crumpling in the toes or if it is normal relaxation due to the duckling's rested position. I definitely see swelling in the leg so try to determine if it is a fluid swelling or if there is a more solid lump that might indicate tissue damage.

 

[kmullett11]

The swelling went down a little by his foot. From what I can tell it's where is leg beds at the joint. I'm going to try and get a better picture once his water drains because he is soaking right now. Also his color seems to be a lot better today in the injured leg. I hope this is a good step towards him getting better. He is a trooper!

 

[kmullett11]

 

[Duck Drover]

There is good blood flow to the webbing with no bruising and the toes do not look swollen or crippled. It looks like a ligament sprain to me. Since the swelling is reduced you probably don't even need to wrap it. It is best for the duckling to use it as much as it can tolerate to keep the muscles strong. It will probably limp for a week or two with gradual healing.

 

[kmullett11]

Thank you so very much! I will update soon