duck surgery

This week, our Black Swedish duck named Penguin had been hanging back, often found alone, resting under mayapples while her cadre of three male Welsh Harlequin ducks stood guard. Upon examination, Jake diagnosed Bumblefoot, a painful infection that very occasionally occurs in the feet of ducks and chickens.

We keep a bucket o' duck first aid kit supplies, including gauze, tape, an X-acto Knife, antibiotic ointment and antibiotics for mixing into drinking water, and vanilla extract, which supposedly scares away the biting flies that devasted our 2011 generation of chicks.

While I held her, Jake cut open and drained spots on both of Penguin's feet. Then she had a utility sink bath, which she loved. I know this because she was so obviously grunt-quacking with pleasure.

After she was done, which she made clear to us by flinging herself out of the tub and trying to climb into the washing machine, we dried her off and wrapped up her wounds.

Hang in there, Penguin.

She'll sleep for the rest of the week in a dog kennel on the screen porch, with antibiotic water and fresh food. Hopefully she won't move around too much. The three males will stand guard right outside the screen all day! By Sunday, she should be as good as new.