Will my duck be able to swim?

[bcannon91219]

I feel so bad! About a week ago my male mallard duck flew out the coop and landed on a smoldering (no flames were visable) pile of bedding I was trying to burn. He managed to burn one of his feet. He had a few blisters for a few days on it, which have since healed and he's getting around and swimming fine for now. I noticed today where he burnt his foot the burnt webbing between his toes has torn, im guessing from drying out. If he looses the webbing on this foot would he still be able to swim? My mallards have never been handled, so I didn't want to stress him and make him hurt his foot more by trying to treat it so I have just been monitoring closely and will only intervene is Absolutely necessary.

 

[Isaac 0]

Do you have a picture of the foot?
The more surface area loss on the foot would predictably cause reduced mobility in water, but shouldn't seriously impair the bird from swimming by any means.
If the webbing appears to be healing on its own ok, leaving it be would be fine, but if you begin to notice the swelling worsening, odd discoloration, or exudate the bird may need some topical ointments, or possibly antibiotics.

 

[bcannon91219]

Do you have a picture of the foot?
The more surface area loss on the foot would predictably cause reduced mobility in water, but shouldn't seriously impair the bird from swimming by any means.
If the webbing appears to be healing on its own ok, leaving it be would be fine, but if you begin to notice the swelling worsening, odd discoloration, or exudate the bird may need some topical ointments, or possibly antibiotics.

Thanks for the reply. It's night time here so I will try to get a picture in the morning. The ducks toes are orange still but the webbing in-between has turned black. I'm guessing its now dead? Do you think it could heal back from that? But the color hasn't spread or change neither does he have swelling.

 

[Isaac 0]

I'm guessing its now dead?

Most likley.

Do you think it could heal back from that?

Usually, it doesn't in my experience.

 

[bcannon91219]

Most likley.

Usually, it doesn't in my experience.

Thank you.