Our Beautiful Goose Jeanne Can't Walk :( - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain Utah 

Maybe ask your vet about putting her in a sling?  When my dvm was running through the list (as she ruled out doing each one), she mentioned something about a sling, but that she used them on full sized birds.

Wow, great minds think alike!  My husband suggested a baby walker earlier today.  But when i looked online, i'm not sure they would fit a goose.  But maybe something similar, four wheels, some type of framework, then a cloth or an old t-shirt attached with holes for legs and tail.  She could stand and perhaps move herself around the yard a bit until she heals.  Not sure i would leave her out there without supervision.  But i think it would help if she could get outside and see her friends.  i have a couple of those rolling folding shopping carts in the shed.  Will try to figure something out there.

The other thing that comes to mind with "sling" are those slings they put horses in when they have an injured leg to keep them upright.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain Utah 

I imagine it would be the same in purpose as a horse sling.

 

How long have you had her?  If I read right, you noticed a limp since October and then the sudden onset of not being able to walk at all?  Can she get into a standing position on her own at all? Does she try?

We've had Jeanne since she was 6 days old and she is just 13 months old now.  She has been limping since October and we have been to the vet several times.  She was prescribed metacam which is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.  We added Vitamin C to her diet in case this was gout (which was a long shot), but her limp has never gone away.  

i think what instigated this event was getting pinned in the shed between the water bucket and door.  i suspect she was struggling to free herself and that put further stress on her legs.  

Starting yesterday, after her therapy bath, she's been able to stand.  But she is still holding that left leg up like it hurts.  i'm still keeping her inside in a hutch as i really want her to rest both legs. My regular vet will be in the office this week and take a look at the xrays.  She spoke before about a possible brace for that bad leg.  Although it's hard to imagine a goose keeping a brace on, with how nibbley they can be.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenW. 

Maybe a gander tried breeding her and her leg gave out on her since she was weak??

 

Sorry, but I honestly have no other ideas.. Hopeing for a speedy recovery!

i don't *think* that's it.  We only have two other adults, one male and one female, her own age.  We haven't seen any breeding activity out of the male yet.  Plus, it looks like the male is bonding to the other female.

Thank you for the input, though.  That would be a plausible reason for the lameness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain Utah 

Glad to hear of some improvement, but it would be nice to determine cause of underlying issue.  Hope your regular vet has some ideas and/or is willing to make a few calls to specialists.  My googling shows Avery Bennett is the top orthopedic surgical specialist in the country.  Perhaps a long distance consult with him is possible? 

Thank you for the info.  i will pass that onto my vet.  She has been confounded by this issue and i know she would have no trouble asking for a second opinion.  

Just got back from my vet, she did a very thorough exam.  She feels that the cause of the limping is a back injury, compressed disc, or something similar that would have occurred back in October when the limp began.  What has happened over time is that the leg has not gained muscle mass like the other leg, and it is starting to atrophy from lack of use.  That leg and foot is smaller, lighter in color, and cooler to the touch than the other one.

She's going to be doing acupuncture this afternoon to try to stimulate nerve activity.  She asked if i could construct a shoe for her bad foot to keep it flat and from curling up.  So i'm pondering how to do that.  i'm thinking harder plastic bottom with cushioning, then straps across the top and on the ankle.  Would want it to be easy to get on and off, because she wants me to continue the daily baths and to do some physical therapy with her.  She will also be on metacam the rest of her life.

It's a little overwhelming pondering how this is going to work out over time.  But i guess we will just take this one step at a time and see how it goes.