Swollen Leg Help!

[Jrdkeller]

My girlfriend and I have four ducks that we have been raising. About three of four days ago one of our ducks back nails somehow got ripped off. Since this has happened, she has not been able to walk, she just lays there all day and we have been constantly checking on her. It seems as though the nail is starting to grow back but she is still not able to walk on it and now her leg is swollen. Being first time duck owners we are really scared and dont want anything to happen to her. Does anyone know what we can do or how we can help her.

 

[Jrdkeller]

Here is a picture of her foot, you can see the back nail where it fell off and where it is swollen. Shes a little dirty from being in the pool

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

I don't know much about ducks, but maybe ask @Isaac 0? I'm sorry, and I hope her nail heals!

 

[Jrdkeller]

I don't know much about ducks, but maybe ask @Isaac 0? I'm sorry, and I hope her nail heals!

Thank you! we are really scared for her!

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

Good luck!

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC.

Sorry to hear about your duck.

It sounds like we're dealing with an injury here, and I say because of the suddenness of the limping, it would also make sense that when she pulled the nail off she sprained/injured her leg at the same time.

By chance could you upload a video of her trying to walk to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

Does the leg feel warmer than the other? What breed is she?

What I would suggest would depend on the severity of the limp. If she's not able to put any weight on the leg at all, and it's swollen. Starting her on an NSAID like Meloxicam, ketoprofen, or Carprofen might be suggested, these are RX only, so a prescription will be needed from a vet, or of course, you have already on hand from a past visit. In addition to this, keeping her in a soft padded area that reduces her risk of reinjury would also be good as well as daily soaks in magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt).

If she is able to put some weight on the leg, and it's only slightly swollen. Some "bed rest", daily soaks in Epsom water, and administration of B vitamins, or aspirin would probably best as far as the lines of treatment.

 

[Jrdkeller]

Welcome to BYC.

Sorry to hear about your duck.

It sounds like we're dealing with an injury here, and I say because of the suddenness of the limping, it would also make sense that when she pulled the nail off she sprained/injured her leg at the same time.

By chance could you upload a video of her trying to walk to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here?

Does the leg feel warmer than the other? What breed is she?

What I would suggest would depend on the severity of the limp. If she's not able to put any weight on the leg at all, and it's swollen. Starting her on an NSAID like Meloxicam, ketoprofen, or Carprofen might be suggested, these are RX only, so a prescription will be needed from a vet, or of course, you have already on hand from a past visit. In addition to this, keeping her in a soft padded area that reduces her risk of reinjury would also be good as well as daily soaks in magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt).

If she is able to put some weight on the leg, and it's only slightly swollen. Some "bed rest", daily soaks in Epsom water, and administration of B vitamins, or aspirin would probably best as far as the lines of treatment.

Thank you so much ! Its a Peking duck we got from tractor supply. We brought her in the bathroom for a quick soak with fresh water, unfortunately we dont have the salt but will get some first thing in the morning. She is not really even trying to walk on it. Her leg that is swollen is a lot warmer then the other, you can feel heat coming off of it. we just noticed that her poop has become really watery as well. Below is a link of her trying to walk

 

[Isaac 0]

Thank you so much ! Its a Peking duck we got from tractor supply. We brought her in the bathroom for a quick soak with fresh water, unfortunately we dont have the salt but will get some first thing in the morning. She is not really even trying to walk on it. Her leg that is swollen is a lot warmer then the other, you can feel heat coming off of it. we just noticed that her poop has become really watery as well. Below is a link of her trying to walk

Poor thing.

Do you have an NSAID? Is a vet an option?

Regardless, get her started on the treatment I suggest above.