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This time last week one of the river ducklings was bitten by an adult and got a badly broken leg. I was reluctant to have it put to sleep and bandaged the leg close to the body - as the break was there and not possible to splint. I gave it some anti inflammatory pain relief every day, along with some calcium powder.The duckling is only 3 weeks old and am hoping that even if it ends up with a gammy leg, that it will compensate and be able to live with the disability.
Having removed the bandage I was keen to see how well it had healed and give it some hydrotherapy at the same time. I was delighted to see that it has partial use of the leg after only 7 days.
Young birds grow rapidly and heal much quicker than other species. It's early days, but I hope through time it will get enough use from the leg that it can safely return to it's siblings in the river.
Otherwise it may end up as a mate for the duck with the broken wing ! Short movie clip below of the hydrotherapy bath this morning.
After Faiths horrific loss of her bill, several blog followers and sympathisers came forward with suggestions about a prosthetic bill. Sadly Faiths injury was so bad that she died. However, many good contacts have come from this tragedy, and the beauty of the internet is the instant communication and knowledge about every subject under the Sun. One contact I have in Rome, a wildlife enthusiast called Luca who is currently caring for an injured bird, sent me the following pics and short video of an Italian Vet who fitted a prosthetic lower beak to a Canary. He has given me permission to show it on my blog, my thanks to my friend Luca and Dr Emilio Noviello for the pics and uplifting video.
The Trust have our own Avian Hero in the form of Sue Hulbert, who frequently gives me advice, material, and information on fixing avian problems.
Sue is currently caring for 13 cygnets, 2 adult swans, 8 hedgehogs, 6 ducks and numerous small birds !
The last photo is of a duckling with a broken leg that she repaired. These people are my Avian Heroes !
