Not really sure what is going on here. X-rays may help pinpoint the problem.

Besides, dislocations and breaks, there may be a soft-tissue injury such as a strain or sprain. If she is failing, you need to keep her at the vet's or inside away from the pond or lake for critical/recuperative care (i.e. supplemental feeding,antibiotics, IV's, rest, pain management, etc.) so that she does not have to use the leg. Keep her immobolized if possible in an area so that she does not have to get up and down to eat. Use straw bedding in a small indoor pen for example with a small pan of food submerged in water nearby.

She could have been easily hurt during the mating process.

Check also the foot, knee, ankle and leg for any visible injuries such as:

1. Puncture or fang marks (snake or spider bite, nail, BB, etc.)

2. Holes in the feet or bumblefoot.

3. If she has a major case of bumblefoot (the veterinarian should know what this is), she may have to be placed on an antibiotic and a pain killer along with having the site cleaned daily. Ensure that nothing is in the "callous" of the feet where bumblefoot appears. Splinters, glass or other foreign materials make cause her not to place the foot onto the ground.

4. Check the upper leg to ensure that she has no visible injuries to the top of the leg covered by feathers to ensure that she has no penetrable injuries, i.e., bb's, splinters, etc.

5. Finally, check to see if she might have a low range of movement due to arthritis. Earlier injuries/trauma at an earlier age can begin to show in older swans and again, pain management or an alternative to having her on a large pond or lake may have to be considered. Good luck and please let us know what the x-rays showed. The Regal Swan
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