Need Advisement on Joint Infection

[DuckDuckJuice]

Our Pekin, Ducky, seems to have an infected joint in his right leg. His legs have been deformed since he was a duckling and he has always lived a pretty sedentary lifestyle. He’s always seemed happy and is easily our sweetest duck, so we just accepted that he’s a bit different and worked with it. Unfortunately, two days ago, my husband noticed Ducky wasn’t walking at all, just pushing himself around using his bill and wing. We brought him in right away and put him in a warm Epsom salt bath, thinking it might be bumblefoot, as he had some dark spots on his feet. The dark spots ended up being a torn nail and some dirt, so we just kept him inside for a couple days to see if he would improve with some rest. Today, his right leg joint is noticeably swollen and warm, compared to the left side. We didn’t notice the swelling at first because his joints have always been very large. His bill is also very warm and he’s not eating or drinking very much. A vet is not an option for us at this time, nor do I think there is one around here that would even treat a duck, so I’m hoping someone on here will have some experience and advice to offer. He very clearly needs antibiotics, I’m just not sure which would be best and what the dosage/delivery method/duration should be. I also read that ducks can be given a low dose of ibuprofen, but thought I’d check here before doing anything.

 

[Quatie]

There are few things it could be. One thing that could be going on is a slipped tendon. You should be able to feel the tendon on the left or right of hock joint. Down below is more about it.

http://www.poultrypedia.com/poultry-podiatry

It could also could be something like septic arthritis, which I am not as familiar with. It usually is treated with antibiotics, but I am not sure how easy it is to cure.

You can try baytril or the generic name Enrofloxacin. 5mG per 1lb twice a day for 5 - 7 days. Or a 10% baytril .05mL per 1lb. I use enrofloxacin I stead of baytril because it is cheaper and the exact same thing. You can get it online at:

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/enrofloxacin-10

I have treated my ducks with ibuprofen. Never use grape flavor, there is something in it that is toxic to ducks. Infant or children's Motrin - 5-10 mg/kg 2-3 times a day.

I would also weigh him and keep an eye on his weight. If it drops too low, you may need to tube feed him if he is still not eating.

I would also use a deep luke warm bath to take some weight off his leg and let him float. The water therapy will also be good for eventual recovery.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

There are few things it could be. One thing that could be going on is a slipped tendon. You should be able to feel the tendon on the left or right of hock joint. Down below is more about it.

http://www.poultrypedia.com/poultry-podiatry

It could also could be something like septic arthritis, which I am not as familiar with. It usually is treated with antibiotics, but I am not sure how easy it is to cure.

You can try baytril or the generic name Enrofloxacin. 5mG per 1lb twice a day for 5 - 7 days. Or a 10% baytril .05mL per 1lb. I use enrofloxacin I stead of baytril because it is cheaper and the exact same thing. You can get it online at:

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/enrofloxacin-10

I have treated my ducks with ibuprofen. Never use grape flavor, there is something in it that is toxic to ducks. Infant or children's Motrin - 5-10 mg/kg 2-3 times a day.

I would also weigh him and keep an eye on his weight. If it drops too low, you may need to tube feed him if he is still not eating.

I would also use a deep luke warm bath to take some weight off his leg and let him float. The water therapy will also be good for eventual recovery.

Thank you! I’ll definitely keep an eye on his weight. We have been regularly weighing one of our girls (tends to stop eating during molt), so I’ll just do him at the same time. It’s definitely infected, based on the heat I’m feeling in his joint and bill. Is it possible for something like a slipped tendon to go that route? I ask because I’ve notice when I manipulate his joint, there’s quite a bit of audible crackling and popping, which makes me think a tendon issue could be possible.

 

[Quatie]

A slipped tendon will cause the hock joint to swell and there will be heat there too. It can sometimes be hard to feel the slipped joint. O e of my runners has a slipped tendon, and it can make a sound, but it is a pretty quiet sound. If you put your hand around the hock joint as you bend it, you should feel the tendon popping if that is the case.

I want to say someone had a duck with septic arthritis that also made a cracking sound. @HollowOfWisps or @Miss Lydia may have some ideas about septic arthritis.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd take @Quatie advise and get the Baytril. Having an infection in the joint is serious.
I hope Ducky will respond to the antibiotic and be able to get around better.
Quatie has given very good advise.
Not sure how much help this will be
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/staphylococcosis/staphylococcosis-in-poultry

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

There are few things it could be. One thing that could be going on is a slipped tendon. You should be able to feel the tendon on the left or right of hock joint. Down below is more about it.

http://www.poultrypedia.com/poultry-podiatry

It could also could be something like septic arthritis, which I am not as familiar with. It usually is treated with antibiotics, but I am not sure how easy it is to cure.

You can try baytril or the generic name Enrofloxacin. 5mG per 1lb twice a day for 5 - 7 days. Or a 10% baytril .05mL per 1lb. I use enrofloxacin I stead of baytril because it is cheaper and the exact same thing. You can get it online at:

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/enrofloxacin-10

I have treated my ducks with ibuprofen. Never use grape flavor, there is something in it that is toxic to ducks. Infant or children's Motrin - 5-10 mg/kg 2-3 times a day.

I would also weigh him and keep an eye on his weight. If it drops too low, you may need to tube feed him if he is still not eating.

I would also use a deep luke warm bath to take some weight off his leg and let him float. The water therapy will also be good for eventual recovery.

New issue- I can’t get Baytril/Enrofloxacin shipped here in under a week and none of the local stores carry it. Is there another antibiotic that will work? Our local TSC has penicillin, Tylan 50, and Liquamycin, and we have Duramycin on-hand.

 

[Miss Lydia]

• Systemic infections respond better to antimicrobial treatment that localized infections
• Improved management can prevent injuries that allow infection to become established

Staphylococcosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but an antimicrobial susceptibility test should be performed. Antibiotics used to treat Staphylococcus infections include penicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, and spectinomycin. Proper management to prevent injury and immunocompromised poultry helps prevent staphylococcosis. Because wounds are the primary route by which Staphylococcus can enter the body, it is important to reduce all potential sources of injury to the bird. Wood splinters in litter, protruding wires from cages, and fighting/cannibalism have been associated with skin wounds and staphylococcosis. Because beak and toe trimming procedures in young chickens and turkeys could result in a staphylococcal septicemia, ensuring that equipment is sanitary will help to prevent outbreaks. Good litter management is important in controlling footpad injuries to prevent bumblefoot. Hatchery sanitation and good egg management practices are also important to reduce navel infections and omphalitis.

Here is a list of drugs to treat with.​

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

• Systemic infections respond better to antimicrobial treatment that localized infections
• Improved management can prevent injuries that allow infection to become established

Staphylococcosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but an antimicrobial susceptibility test should be performed. Antibiotics used to treat Staphylococcus infections include penicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, and spectinomycin. Proper management to prevent injury and immunocompromised poultry helps prevent staphylococcosis. Because wounds are the primary route by which Staphylococcus can enter the body, it is important to reduce all potential sources of injury to the bird. Wood splinters in litter, protruding wires from cages, and fighting/cannibalism have been associated with skin wounds and staphylococcosis. Because beak and toe trimming procedures in young chickens and turkeys could result in a staphylococcal septicemia, ensuring that equipment is sanitary will help to prevent outbreaks. Good litter management is important in controlling footpad injuries to prevent bumblefoot. Hatchery sanitation and good egg management practices are also important to reduce navel infections and omphalitis.

Here is a list of drugs to treat with.​

Thank you!!! I’ll get the penicillin.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

Here are a couple of pictures of his leg, for reference, if anyone is interested. The left leg is his normal “knobby” joint, the right is the swollen one. The swollen joint is very warm still, but his bill is not anymore, which is odd. I also noticed a crusted area of feathers on his face by the top of his bill. It seems slightly indented, but I found no signs of external or internal injury. I cleaned it and applied vetericyn spray. I’m assuming whatever is going on there will be covered by the penicillin.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope the pen will take care of it. Bacteria can build up immunity to Pen pretty quick so once he is through with this and you find it hasn't helped you'll have to go to another one. Hopefully it will.
http://www.poultrypedia.com/medicine-chart gives info on dosage.