Swollen, scabbed sore on runner duck's foot

[runningkaren]

My runner duck has a swollen, dry, scabbed sore on her foot on one of her "toes." She limps because of it and, if I let her run all day, can only hop about. I have her confined to give it a rest but does anyone have advice to help it heal? What can or should I do?

 

[country_girl011]

sounds like bumble foot.
do a byc search.
there are tons of threads on it.
and that will tell you how to treat it

 

[runningkaren]

Thanks, I'll look!

 

[runningkaren]

Okay, I see what to do but a final question: The scab is on the top of the foot. Still bumblefoot?

 

[Amiga]

Perhaps. I would treat it as bumblefoot. Now, I know some open it up and pick the cheesy stuff out.

My first approach (which you may have already read so bear with me ) is cleaning the foot and applying triple antibiotic ointment a few times a day at first, down to one or two times a day till it is gone.

If there is a splinter in there, the swelling will keep coming back till the splinter comes out. You can try a potato bandage or epsom salts compresses to help get the splinter out a) if it is there and b) if you cannot see it to pull it out with a pair of tweezers.

 

[runningkaren]

I see the pictures of this surgery and my question is: how to wrap a duck's webbed foot? The chicken has the toes to hold the wrap in place. Secondly, applying the ointment only, I guess it wouldn't need wrapped since the sore is on top and I can keep the duck from swimming for several days.

 

[Amiga]

Wrapping a webbed foot is a challenge, and ducks worry at things till they come off, most of the time. Some do well with moleskin, a bandaging with a sticky side. Others of us have done okay with vet wrap or baby socks.

I prefer to try to treat with topical at first, because opening a wound increases risk of further infection. At the same time, if the infection is already well along, it may be advisable to do surgery.

Try 3x a day ointment on the top and bottom of the foot and see if it improves. But I would not wait more than that to decide if cutting is needed. If it needs cut, then the duck needs to stay in sick bay until the cut is healed over, and I am guessing that would be two or three days.

 

[Amiga]

Did you see the thread about Mildred's bumblefoot? That was a tough case, then it was determined she had something in the wound. I think it was potato bandage that pulled it out finally.

 

[runningkaren]

Thanks. I have been applying ointment but I think it will need the surgery. I will look for that thread.