What more can I do?

[veronicasmom]

It doesn't seem serious, but my Indian Runner girl, Victoria, is limping. She started two days ago, I noticed she was not running around with the other three ducks, and when she did move around she was limping. Whenever she would stop, she would lay down, or pull her leg up under her. So I made a pen for her and put her in it. This is the third day in there and she still seems like it is the same. She is quiet in there, she can see and hear the others, so she is happy. Either she got hurt when the drake was mating her, or getting out of the pool. Why they won't use the stones to get in and out, I don't know!

Anyway, how long do I go before I worry or have to take her to the vet? She is eating, drinking, bathing in a shallow pan, pooping, all normally. Her eyes are bright and she can still run when I tried to catch her. The leg itself looks normal, not like it's broken or anything. I feel bad that she is in pain. How long do leg injuries normally take to heal. She's still laying eggs too.
Any advice will be appreciated. Especially by Victoria.

 

[veronicasmom]

Anyone?

 

[Duckchick2011]

It sounds as though you have done all you can...if your that worried you could take her to vet that knows how to work with ducks...I'm no expert so I can't really tell you whats going on, it might just be a light sprain...or it might even be a foot injury of some sort...

 

[Lamar Estate]

I'm by far not a duck expert, but if I was in your situation, I would call a vet TODAY. If it was earlier in the week, I would wait a day, but it's already Friday. Most vets are closed on the weekends.

Sorry about her leg. I'm glad that she's in okay spirits though.

Good luck,
Amanda

 

[duckyfromoz]

Did you check the sole of her foot at all when looking at her leg? Bumblefoot is something to check for - or any other kind of injury. Keeping her in a confined area so she stays off that leg as much as possible was a good idea. That she is still laying is good too- as if she stops it could be a sign of stress.

 

[veronicasmom]

Thanks. I didn't look at the sole of her foot. Will do that when my husband gets home. I just think it looks like a leg injury vs a foot problem. But, I certainly could be wrong.

 

[veronicasmom]

The vet I would take her to is open 7 days a week. I always feel that taking them (the ducks) in creates so much more stress if it is something that I could wait out. I don't feel that way about the other animals, but my ducks HATE to be handled, so I worry that if I take them needlessly it will do more harm than good.

 

[Lamar Estate]

Quote:
Very good point. I didn't think about the stress caused by the visit.

 

[veronicasmom]

Duckchick2011 and Duckyfrom Oz-thank you! I looked at her foot and think we have the start of bumblefoot. Vet appointment tomorrow am. I am stressing big time, since I go on vacation 5/7 and have sitters for the animals here to help hubby with them while I am gone, but that is not gonna be easy for anyone. ACK, how did this happen? They have a clean area to live in, free range A LOT, proper food, lots of exercise.......I am really upset. Maybe I need to just have cardboard pets..............................

 

[veronicasmom]

Just got back from the vet, she does have the beginning of bumblefoot. Got two meds for her. Can't wait to start giving them to her, that should be real fun!

Thanks to everyone for their help.