swan foot problem

[Vakatgirl]

Hello , my female swan (Mary) started hobbling very bad a few weeks ago and we noticed that she has a large growth on the very back of her foot. She is a rescue mute so she stays on our pond and is not tame. I can catch her so I had planned on doing that once I was prepared to address this issue. After reading several forums I was convinced it was bummblefoot. Well....just in the last week she is now walking without issue and the growth is still there. Should I still attempt to open it and explore or just leave it alone? Before she would hardly get out of the water because she just couldn't walk on it and swans are pretty heavy. Now she is the first out of water to come eat.

 

[bdfive]

My understanding is bumblefoot is an infection that needs to be dealt with and a growth sounds like bumblefoot. If you've not treated bumblefoot in the past I'm not sure if you should be the one to "open" and explore. I know none of us like to pay vet bills but an avian vet would know exactly how to deal with it properly. You can be firm telling them you can't afford long drawn out treatments.....that you will follow through yourself with the doctors instructions. That's what I'd try to do. I have 2 Black Australians, 2 and 4 months old. We've spent a fortune and worked hard removing huge bolder rocks from where there habitat is going. Will be picking up all small rocks and anything sharp or jagged that could hurt their feet. Most likely will put down grass sod and sand. Wish I had a lake. Most likely will be using a large trough until I do research on having a small pond built.

 

[Vakatgirl]

Thank you for replying. These are rescue swans so they were once wild. They stay free range and I would say stay on the water most of every day. I live in rural virginia and I have called all the local vets and no one will see avian. The closet one is 2 hours away. It really is just not practical to take her that far. I feed them each day and today I spent extra time to look at her foot as she glides through the water close by. The growth is still there but definitely appears smaller and she is walking fine when on land. For now I am just going to keep am eye on her.

 

[bdfive]

It would most likely be pretty stressful for her to be caught. I sure would love to live on a lake and watch wild swans and other waterfowl. My husband says call a realtor, LOL!!! I think he's ready to sell our 5 acres and find a home on water.

 

[bdfive]

Did you catch and treat your swans foot? I noticed some splits on the bottom of my swans feet so have been doing some research on how to treat. For now I'm keeping their water and ground very clean hoping they won't become infected.

 

[Vakatgirl]

Actually, I kept an eye on her and it went away! It was a large place and I just knew it needed lancing etc but it is completely gone by itself. Have no idea what caused it to appear or ho away. She has been fine ever since.

 

[bdfive]

I'm so happy to hear her foot injury cleared up by itself. I try to keep anything abrasive out of Gracy & Gunther's habitat.

 

[Vakatgirl]

Well my pair and all my flock are free roaming. I think she may have hurt it last spring when building her nest. Lots of sticks! This year I am hoping they will build on our island. Fairly clear area and in middle of 3 acre pond so safe. Im going to take them some yard clean up stuff and leave there in hopes of it. They have been hanging out a lot on island last couple days. We will see.