Swelling On Duck's Toe ~ PICTURE ~ URGENT

[PetDuck]

Thanks guys that sounds good. I will try them both to see which one works best. We had a lot of rain today and her cage got soaked so I cleaned it and to keep her from sleeping on the soggy ground and keeping her feet wet, I covered the floor of the cage in soft hay. Also to prevent her from spilling water and spoiling the hay I replaced her large water dish with 2 milk jugs with holes cut in them, (This is what I used for her waterer when she was a baby.) on each side of her cage and made sure she knew how to use them. Is it okay to let her walk around and play in the mud all day with her feet until she is better. She loves playing in the rain a lot and it is going to rain tomorow here like it did today. (I let her play in it today, is that okay?)
Thanks again guys!

 

[Amiga]

Just watch closely. If there is improvement, the mud walking probably isn't a problem.

But there is a general rule of thumb that keeping them in a cleaner, drier environment helps when fighting infections.

 

[PetDuck]

It hasn't rained like expected, I haven't gone to the store for the oil and potatoes yet but I will tomorrow... I really really need to because the toe is swelling more and more and it is even starting to turn blue and purple in spots.
How would I wrap that spot (the middle of her foot) without squeezing her toes together? Does anyone have pictures? Should I wrap it or buy (or make) some of the little duck booties?
Thanks guys!!!

 

[Amiga]

Mercy, this is worrisome! Do you have any iodine? Are you continuing Epsom salts soaks?

Can you get to someone who might be able to find and extract whatever may be in the toe?

 

[PetDuck]

I don't know anyone Aminga! None of the vets around here do birds or ducks. I looked but I couldn't find any vets that are within 100 miles that would even have a chance of getting it out. I am continuing E.S. soaks but it's not getting any better. I don't know if I have any iodine, I'll check in a minute... I would make a very small incision to release some pressure but I'm not a very good doctor and that would do more bad than good for sure. What about poking it or squeezing it.... I am getting really worried Aminga and I don't know what to do and I am getting desperate...

 

[Amiga]

Let's back up.

Have you been using any kind of antibiotic, or just the Epsom salts soak?

 

[PetDuck]

Anti-biotic creme (Neosporin in fact). But I haven't been wrapping it because I don't know how to do it without closing her toes tighter.

 

[Amiga]

I have done okay without wrapping, I wouldn't worry about that.

Okay, good. Keep up with the antibiotic. You may want to bring her into a place with clean bedding (I don't know what her routine is) and keep her confined for a couple of days. She won't like it, but it may help. And a bath in lukewarm water so she can take weight off the foot and use the foot, increasing circulation may help, too. And if you can give her a bath before the Epsom salts soak and antibiotic, that may soften the tissue and help get the antibiotic into the skin better. Just trying to think of non-surgical things you can do.

But turning dark is not good, we both know that.

The iodine might help, too, putting a little of that on with a cotton swab or piece of toilet paper. Be careful - some people are allergic to iodine. I don't know if ducks can be allergic, I just wanted to write that, to be on the safe side. There is a clear iodine, and a brown one that stains. Just f.y.i.

Mercy.

Added: If you can get to a feed store or somewhere that sells Duramycin, that is an oral antibiotic and it may be time to think about giving that, in case this infection gets into her bloodstream. I would seriously consider it.

Added: Try switching from Neosporin to Bacitracin. I recently learned that sometimes the Bacitracin works better.

 

[PetDuck]

Alright, thank you. If it's all the same to you I was going to order the botties from indoor ducks because I wanted the try the tea tree oil and I don't want her to wind up ingesting it some how. Is that all right or should I not?

 

[Amiga]

It is one of those decisions you need to be comfortable with. I have read that tea tree oil is great, and I have read that essential oils can be too strong, if I were to use some - and I may, someday - I would dilute it in some olive oil, not use it full concentration. Maybe five drops of essential oil in a quarter cup of olive oil or coconut oil.

I understand the idea of putting booties on so she won't nibble at whatever you put on the foot.

Think about switching to bacitracin, though, in the meantime. It may really help. I had a bunch of bee stings on my leg, and the nurse who treated me this week told me to use Bacitracin to prevent infection.

I need to turn in, but please message me if you want, I will check messages in the morning.

Love to Quackers.