What in Ducky Heck is this!?

[DuckyDoodles]

Blood stop... like Kwik Stop for the dogs’ nails? I also have corn starch, flour and good ol’ dial soap available. Sorry, totally whipped out the “kwik got nipped, make it stop bleeding like they’re dying!” emergency list

I have Epsom salt; big bag is lavendar scented so I haven’t been using it because I didn’t think the added scent would likely be good for her little leggies. The smaller bunch (half of one of those pint/quart sized cartons) isn’t scented but I didn’t know if it would do anything since there’s no opening or infection to pull out? I suppose the benefit would just be for the aching muscles, right? I do suspect it’d be a HIGHLY SUPERVISED task of soaking her legs in a small basin (so she wouldn’t drink it and get the poppies). While she’s somewhat cooperative, she reminds me frequently that I am to “look but not touch the merchandise.” She wouldn’t sit in a pan willingly, I’d suspect, but I am willing to see if I can wrangle/soothe her enough to get a good Epsom soak in.

Forgive me for not going to the search tab (many many posts on BYC have I read that discusses the Epsom Salt) but for purposes of brevity, could you tell me how long I should do the ES soak? I remember reading about those who have done ES compresses; how would that work? I’ve got bountiful supplies of varying medical gauze and same with the stretch/self adhesive wrap. But if I put it on there and leave it, would it freeze since Indiana sucks and it’s a place where your face hurts sort of cold?

Was also thinking that maybe having her regular PT bath before I go elbows deep in the black hole might help soften it up. Should I, for good measure, leave some warm Epsom salted gauze on the area a bit before hand? Kind of like your warm compress idea but with anti-infectious properties?

As for the feathers; they seemed (to me) to have already vacated the immediate edge of the thing. I’ll post the few I have of it so you can tell me if you think I should snip more.

Because, as we all are, I’m all up for directions and opinions.

Thanks so much!

P.S. Lucky’s story is going to be one I have to hack at piece by piece because there’s like 180 more pages to go read a few pages at a time and it’ll be Duck Dynasty 90210 Days Of Duck Lives

P.P.S. Don’t be self conscious; I’ve been a creepy BYC lurker for 5 months... I was bound to start remembering names sometime.

P.S.Tres Is it gross I am sooooo anxious to try and plooop that sucker out? Like I’m gonna smack the husband in the forehead and tell him he has to record me doing it.

You know... for science

 

[Miss Lydia]

If soaking I think I'd use plain Epsom salt or reg salty warm water place her into a dish pan then cover her all but her head with a large towel but keep your hands on it too but it may keep her in the pan longer. What happened to her? and where exactly is this wound? Hard to tell by pics. Hopefully soaking[and may have to do it more than 1X] Will soften what ever that is so you don't have to go digging. If she is too large for a dish pan then tub soaking may be your next choice.

Welcome to BYC

 

[Tannerpauldean]

I know this is a completely different species, but something like this happened to a hound dog that was previously in my care. It happened on his chest in the spot that touched the ground when he laid down outside. It ended up being dirt that had built up over time, eventually leading to some sort of calculus. When the duck lays down, does the suspected area touch the ground?

 

[biophiliac]

Welcome to BYCLand! Best wishes to you and your duck. Love your humor!

 

[DuckyDoodles]

@Miss Lydia and @Tannerpauldean

It’s located more or less on the sternum/breast bone/(keel?) and would appear to be the beginning spot of where her undersides meet the ground. I too thought it could just be collected dirt or maybe a callus!! I think I personally ruled out callus because this thing is visibly recessed inwards, and seemingly not attached at the surface’s edges, as if it was a million magnification of a human blackhead as opposed to raised and hardened skin. But I, of course, have no DVM nor prior experience... just enough Google searches to be dangerous. Also I think I was initially concerned with it being a growth (like a tumor or cancer) or a botfly (was seriously concerned about that botfly LOL).

I think after @Ravynscroft’s message, and returning to prior BYC medical care posts, I feel a little more confident to try the ES portion. I did, however, decide that I would be making the 9 year old assist me as my nurse. She was great helper on our other duck who (sadly) passed away a week and a half ago. She’s 9 so she wasn’t about sticking her finger or hand on anything; but she’s as intrigued by the black gunk hole as I am. I’ll have her sit with me to help hold her still for her ES portion.

I’d read 30 minutes is a good time for the soak but also read 15 minutes was enough. Suggestion on ES soak time?
Also, ideas on the ES compress?

Thank you guys so much for helping me with this. I will be taking pics as the black hole is addressed as maybe it will fall in the medical volume of BYC

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Ok .. .must follow cause I can't help myself being curious about gross things myself.
I think I would treat it just like you would bumble foot. Soak. . pick. . clear iodine. I'm thinking It may not come out all at once and trying to rip it out all at once I would be afraid could cause bleeding that would scare me.
@casportpony
You like gross medical things. . come see this!

 

[casportpony]

Google breast blister, that would be my guess!

 

[casportpony]

I know this is a completely different species, but something like this happened to a hound dog that was previously in my care. It happened on his chest in the spot that touched the ground when he laid down outside. It ended up being dirt that had built up over time, eventually leading to some sort of calculus. When the duck lays down, does the suspected area touch the ground?

Great post! Poultry get breast blisters, it's like bumblefoot of the keel and is common in lager breeds that spend a lot of time sitting.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/breast-blister
Yup I see. And since this duck has had a lame leg I bet this is from laying down so much
So @casportpony . .
Should they try to remove that plug or leave it be?

 

[casportpony]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/breast-blister
Yup I see. And since this duck has had a lame leg I bet this is from laying down so much
So @casportpony . .
Should they try to remove that plug or leave it be?

If she were mine I would try remove it.