Help Please - Sick Goose

[RLasseter]

I have a sick goose that has been in my garden tub since Wednesday morning. I've been letting her take hot baths and watching her swim while I'm taking cold showers and getting ready for work!
My observations of her illness are what I see before work (while it's still dark out), after work (when it's dark again), and full time on the weekends. I never leave home because I don't know anyone that would volunteer to take care of my animals... So they are the only vacation I get, and I wouldn't have it any other way

**Let me start out with saying that we have no avian veterinarians in our area and my large animal vet that treats my horses only confused me more...

Symptoms: she has been limping on her right leg for several weeks now, no interest in the other 3 geese, no appetite, drinking constantly, watery green poop, she keeps opening her mouth really wide and making a crunching sound when she closes her beak.

Treatment so far: I've been giving her "vitamins & electrolytes with lacto bacillus", "VetRx", and just yesterday I mixed some Wazine 17 and put in one of her water containers thinking maybe it was worm related.

So far the only thing that I can get her to eat is unsweetened almond milk, which she really seemed to enjoy.

I've been reading way too much online and I bought several things on my way home yesterday just to be prepared - I WILL NOT BE GIVING ALL OF THESE TO HER JUST TO BE CLEAR- I just wanted to have them on hand and be prepared for what answers I may receive today.

Medicine Cabinet:

Duramycin-10 (Tetracycline hydrochloride soluble powder)
Oxytetracycline HCI soluble powder (Broad spectrum antibiotic)
Corid 20% soluble powder Coccidiostat (Amprolium)

Wariness 17 (wormer that I'm already giving her)
Vitamins & electrolytes and the VetRx (that I'm already giving her)

I am about to look in her mouth and pray I don't stress her out too much, and Google what the heck a "vent" is and I'm going to check that too!

 

[RLasseter]

I actually put one towel on the floor, sit Lucy on that towel, then I simply lay another one on top of her so she feels the weight of something so she "thinks" she is wrapped up. Then I sit on the floor, lay my right leg down flat on the floor in front of her chest, and put my left leg over her back. My left leg barely touches her wings on each side, but with the towel over her back I guess she thinks I have a hold of her. I keep my left knee bent so when she throws her head back to get away from me and the tube (which she does every time) she feels my knee behind her head and doesn't struggle with me so much. Once I get all 60ml down, she just lays her head down on my right leg and let's me clean her face up. We are getting pretty good at the process in just 3 feedings! Bad news is, I'm getting used to talking to her every morning in my bathroom while I'm getting dressed... I am going to miss her when she gets well enough to go back out with the others

 

[Amiga]

My first question is - could she be having more than one issue? The limping may or may not be related to the other symptoms....

Egg binding? Egg yolk peritonitis? Something is stuck to the roof of her bill? Those are some of my first thoughts. Liver problem? That could be related to toxicity.

This might help with checking her mouth . . . https://www.facebook.com/MajesticWa...0836389340489/824960470928077/?type=2&theater

 

[RLasseter]

The vet said that she couldn't find anything wrong other than the fact that she was underweight from not eating. She said to try the antibiotics and the tube feeding and if she wasn't better in a couple days to come back and they would do a blood test ($140) and see if they could come up with anything.

She showed me how to tube feed her and gave me everything I would need to do it. I was able to do it by myself just a few minutes ago. It only took me an hour to get in the correct wrestling position on the floor of my bathroom - where I could keep her wings from flapping and her head still so I could insert the tube! It would have definitely been a winner on America's funniest home videos!

She said that as long as you keep the tube on the left side of her beak and move the tube down slowly, it's almost impossible to hit the trachea... Which is a definite no-no. When she opens her mouth, she has a little nodule on her tongue that lifts and covers the opening of the trachea. The trachea itself becomes very narrow and only has a slender opening if any, when her mouth opens.

I really appreciate everyone that has helped me so far, and I wouldn't trade this site for anything! You guys are fabulous

 

[pattyhen]

Are you putting the towel over her before you hold her down. Maybe cover her face until you get her situated with the tube. I can't imagine doing this. Your very brave and dedicated to her to get her well. I sure hope and pray Lucy gets better. How long do you have to tube feed her? With the food and nurishment she should be putting on weight and get her strength back. Bless your heart for being there for her and please give us an update on how she is doing.

I wish I could have helped you more. There are a lot of good people on BYC they have helped me many times.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a sick goose that has been in my garden tub since Wednesday morning. I've been letting her take hot baths and watching her swim while I'm taking cold showers and getting ready for work!
My observations of her illness are what I see before work (while it's still dark out), after work (when it's dark again), and full time on the weekends. I never leave home because I don't know anyone that would volunteer to take care of my animals... So they are the only vacation I get, and I wouldn't have it any other way

**Let me start out with saying that we have no avian veterinarians in our area and my large animal vet that treats my horses only confused me more...

Symptoms: she has been limping on her right leg for several weeks now, no interest in the other 3 geese, no appetite, drinking constantly, watery green poop, she keeps opening her mouth really wide and making a crunching sound when she closes her beak.

Treatment so far: I've been giving her "vitamins & electrolytes with lacto bacillus", "VetRx", and just yesterday I mixed some Wazine 17 and put in one of her water containers thinking maybe it was worm related.

So far the only thing that I can get her to eat is unsweetened almond milk, which she really seemed to enjoy.

I've been reading way too much online and I bought several things on my way home yesterday just to be prepared - I WILL NOT BE GIVING ALL OF THESE TO HER JUST TO BE CLEAR- I just wanted to have them on hand and be prepared for what answers I may receive today.

Medicine Cabinet:

Duramycin-10 (Tetracycline hydrochloride soluble powder)
Oxytetracycline HCI soluble powder (Broad spectrum antibiotic)
Corid 20% soluble powder Coccidiostat (Amprolium)

Wariness 17 (wormer that I'm already giving her)
Vitamins & electrolytes and the VetRx (that I'm already giving her)

I am about to look in her mouth and pray I don't stress her out too much, and Google what the heck a "vent" is and I'm going to check that too!

Her vent is what she poops and lays eggs out of. other end from mouth. I'm going to ask @casportpony for her help since she knows meds. Welcome to BYC What age is your goose? could she have gotten into any kind of toxin ?

 

[pattyhen]

You said she was limping. Have you checked her foot and leg?

 

[RLasseter]

She is 4 years old. She was housed with 3 other geese and they are showing no signs of illness. Her legs have no obvious lesions or abnormalities.

 

[RLasseter]

Any suggestions on how to look in her mouth without giving her a heart attack?

 

[pattyhen]

Wrap a big towel around her wings and body. She is still going to be upset but this way you handle her. Be careful and don't let her bite you when you open her mouth. Do you have anybody to help you with this?