RSPCA rescues infected swan with arthritis

The injured swan which was rescued. Photo: RSPCA

The RSPCA was called by a concerned animal-lover after they came across the swan at around 5.30pm on Tuesday and RSPCA animal collection officer Donna Smith went straight to the location on Two Plank Lane.

The swan was on the towpath beside the river when Donna got there.

She said: “The swan didn’t move off when I approached him and his right leg appeared to be injured.

“When I was able to get my hands on him I could feel the leg was very hot to touch.

“I called our closest wildlife centre, RSPCA East Winch in King’s Lynn, and arranged to take the swan straight there for assessment.”

The swan was examined by a vet at the centre and found to have a broken toe.

Wildlife centre manager Alison Charles said: “Unfortunately the prognosis is poor as the swan has osteomyelitis, which is an infection in the bone, and some arthritis too.

“He has been given antibiotics to try to get on top of the infection and pain relief.

“All we can do is treat him, give him plenty of rest, and keep our fingers crossed at the moment. We’ll do absolutely all we can for him and he’ll be checked by our vet again in a few days.”

The RSPCA is continuing an emergency-only service through the lockdown period.

To help it keep rescuing animals like these in these unprecedented times, donations can be made at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.