Tony’s Leg

[Mamasgoodducks]

Hey all! Quick back story - these are my three babies - Tony, Smoky, and 2Chainz. I live on a river and a week after Easter, my husband spotted a stranger dumping them in the water in my neighbors backyard (99% sure she just bought the ducklings for an Easter basket and then left them to die when Easter was over ). We rescued them and raised them and now they are living their best lives in our backyard and roam the river full time. They’re trained to know that when I stand on the river bank and yell “mama’s good ducks”, that it’s breakfast or dinner time and they stop what they’re doing to yell at me that they’re coming and immediately swim over. Never in my life did I think I’d be a duck mom or love three little birds so much.

Two days ago I noticed that Tony (my male pekin) was only standing on one leg. He wouldn’t come in from the river to eat at their normal spot so I’ve had to feed him from the shoreline. He’s only swimming with one leg - his injured leg is staying tucked into his feathers while his little foot just dangles. He’s still eating and acting normal besides this.

I tried to catch him with a net from the shoreline with no success. He may be injured but he’s still quick, lol. My husband and I plan to go out on our canoe tomorrow morning to catch him more accessibly. I plan to give him an epsom salt soak and access his leg to see what I should do next.

Picture of my three feathered children just because they’re cute and also a youTube video that shows Tony in the water this morning. I will post more pictures once we catch him.

Does anyone have an idea of what might be going on just from the video? Would bumblefoot cause him to not use his leg/foot whatsoever? Or is it most likely something in his leg that would cause him not to extend it at all?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Pekings are bred to be meat ducks, he might just be too heavy for his legs. Happens to CX and turkeys all the time.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Bumblefoot can get pretty bad, which is why it’s important to routinely check your heavy breed ducks’ feet since they’re very susceptible to it.

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you for saving these three--I cannot imagine anyone so cruel as to dump little fluffies on a river. But every year folks dump juvenile ducks some months after easter -- particularly juvenile drakes.

Where are you situated? Do you have snapping turtles? Turtle bites to duck legs are a problem in NE florida where I am.

Otherwise, this is unlikely to be bumblefoot as ducks with bumblefoot swim with both legs. Its likely an injury to the leg -- and it might be from a slipped tendon. Really we cannot be sure until you catch him and can examine him properly, and share the photos.

Good luck in the canoe. Perhaps you can recruit some friends: if he can be cut off from swimming away with two canoes, then you might then get him with a net from the shore

Please keep us updated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

It’s so wonderful you rescued these sweet ducks. I hope you can get him and see what is causing his problem. Please let us know plus pictures will help us help you.

 

[Mamasgoodducks]

Hey friends, thank you all for your input and well wishes on Tony. When we caught him and took him to the vet, his X-ray found that the infection (it was Bumblefoot) had already moved into his bones. His chance of recovery was very slim so we heartbreakingly had to say goodbye him.

I hate that I had to learn the hard way just how aggressive Bumblefoot can be and wishing that I would’ve spotted it earlier. Reminding myself how he got to live his best life as a mostly-wild duck on the river while he was here.

 

[onery13]

Hey friends, thank you all for your input and well wishes on Tony. When we caught him and took him to the vet, his X-ray found that the infection (it was Bumblefoot) had already moved into his bones. His chance of recovery was very slim so we heartbreakingly had to say goodbye him.

I hate that I had to learn the hard way just how aggressive Bumblefoot can be and wishing that I would’ve spotted it earlier. Reminding myself how he got to live his best life as a mostly-wild duck on the river while he was here.

So incredibly sorry to hear Tony's issue wasn't recoverable but I know he felt your love and support. One thing my ducks taught me was exactly what you said - they know how to live their best life every day. I have had a number of different animal specie family members and the ducks most certainly approached each day with joy. Sending blessings of peace to you, Tony, and his remaining two duck friends.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So sorry for your loss

 

[Mamasgoodducks]

So incredibly sorry to hear Tony's issue wasn't recoverable but I know he felt your love and support. One thing my ducks taught me was exactly what you said - they know how to live their best life every day. I have had a number of different animal specie family members and the ducks most certainly approached each day with joy. Sending blessings of peace to you, Tony, and his remaining two duck friends.

So true. Thank you so much!

 

[Mamasgoodducks]

So sorry for your loss

Thank you!