Vet says Gout & Bumble Foot. Second Opinions?

[MontanaChickDoc]

In a pekin with full leg swelling I would be thinking more along the lines of a slipped tendon. Water therapy and splinting can be very effective. I had a call duck that suddenly (like overnight) could not use one leg at the age of 4 months. Not sure if my big heavy pekin drake stepped on her or what...but I did tub swimming 30 mins/ day followed by a supportive splint to keep the leg in a natural standing position. Easy enough in a little call but may be trickier in a big pekin. I used popsicle sticks, roll gauze, and duct tape to make the splint. If her leg is bent under her for too long, the joint will freeze/ fuse that way and will never straighten again.

 

[NickiePA]

Have you tried letting her soak in warm Epsom salt water [they shouldn't drink the water ES is also a laxative] but it can help with inflammation and swelling.

Yes. She was soaking everyday for about half an hour, then id let her sit in fresh water just because the vet said the longer/more often she's in water the better. So that's what I did. And I learned all about how its a laxative!! haha messy messy...

 

[NickiePA]

If I remember my Bumble foot reading its more than just an infection.... There is a hardended corn for want of a better description at the center of the sore. I have seen some extensive home surgery done to remove that corn... Then the wound is cleaned and wrapped to protect it... The "Patient" is then kept in a cage with soft bedding... Dressing changed every day or so and inspected.

The swelling goes down after the corn is removed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot.1209699/#post-19233648

I am not a duck person but @Ravynscroft in the thread above Is.

deb

We did have the dead/decaying tissue removed and it surly is healing. the bumble foot it's self isn't an issue... At least it doesn't seem to be anyway. The vet did take samples and said there's no bacterial infections on the slides. You are right though. Keeping the area clean and keeping her off the leg was the way to go!

 

[NickiePA]

In a pekin with full leg swelling I would be thinking more along the lines of a slipped tendon. Water therapy and splinting can be very effective. I had a call duck that suddenly (like overnight) could not use one leg at the age of 4 months. Not sure if my big heavy pekin drake stepped on her or what...but I did tub swimming 30 mins/ day followed by a supportive splint to keep the leg in a natural standing position. Easy enough in a little call but may be trickier in a big pekin. I used popsicle sticks, roll gauze, and duct tape to make the splint. If her leg is bent under her for too long, the joint will freeze/ fuse that way and will never straighten again.

hmmm.. I never thought about that! The vet didn't offer to do any kind of x-ray, so it never occurred to me. She very well could have had pain from the bumblefoot, fallen or tripe and fractured or broke some part of her leg! That's advise worth looking into! Thank you for bringing that to light for me!! It may not be the answer, but it IS something that was addressed.

 

[NickiePA]

I think that's the issue...Pekin are heavy Meat Birds. Try switching to a poultry finisher feed...Feed Romain Lettuce and peas every couple of days floating in water...Provide oyster shell in a separate bowl..

I had no idea I may have been feeding the wrong feed! I’ll switch it up and see what happens!! I’m most grateful for you advise!

 

[Abraeri]

Hey @NickiePA I know this is an old thread but I was just wondering how your duck is doing if she is still around.

 

[NickiePA]

Hey @NickiePA I know this is an old thread but I was just wondering how your duck is doing if she is still around.

Good morning Abraeri! Unfortunately "Joey" did not get any better. In fact, she got worse. I was given the option to have additional blood work done to the tune of $400 and I declined. We weren't able to confirm EXATLY what had happened. The only thing the vet was able to tell me was she's (the vet) seen it before in Jumbo Pekins, and its something they are born with from what she can tell, and basically after a year or two their kidneys (I think that's what it was, it's been a long time since I revisited our convo) just give up.
What was done at the vet appointments were in house blood work, attempted to draw fluid from her leg (nothing was there), the vet cut a piece of tissue from her bumble foot (again, no infection was found), I was given an antibiotic and iodine to clean her foot, although the vet said it wasn't needed because the swelling had nothing to do with her foot and she wasn't concerned about "bumble foot". I opted for the meds anyway just in case. I took Joey home to see how she might change over the next 2 weeks.
Joey eventually couldn't walk, didn't eat, wouldn't drink, and seemed distraught when I'd walk away from her or put her down from holding her. At this point Joey became a "house duck" and spent a lot of time on my lap. I loved her very much.
I couldn't make it the whole 2 weeks that I'd told myself I'd give her. I took her back to the vet and the vet said she would only continue to decline and I opted to have her put to sleep. The only thing I have to "go on" as to what happened, is the vet said its basically "gout" in a duck. I wish I could offer more information because there may be more Pekin owners out there that could see this, but I know nothing more.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry for your loss.

 

[NickiePA]

Very sorry for your loss.

Thank you. I've attempted to attach 2 photos of my girl. These are the last ones I took of her. I took them to show my husband that I couldn't do my craft work at the dinner table that night. I sat on the floor in the living room so Joey could snuggle up to my leg while I got my work done.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can tell she was loved very much!