Antacids

[Eagle Flight Farm]

I agree that Maalox might be helpful in this situation, but I would avoid aspirin (though it is safe to use for poultry) it would not be appropriate for this situation, and might make it worse, due to the fact that it is an acidic compound. Be conservative in your treatment so you don't make it worse.

I was definitely not suggesting aspirin. It would make the esophageal irritation worse, for sure! I was linking to this member’s vet approving the use of Maalox in a chicken. This my suggestion of using Maalox to soothe the irritated or burned esophageal lining.

 

[chickens really]

And????...The pill irritated the throat because it didn't go down so feed it as I mentioned..Tomato , watermelon chunk in a bowl of water..Generally anything goes down then...

 

[casportpony]

If it were my goose I would want to be 100% sure that the pill had cleared the crop, so I would insert a 1/4" diameter tube (aquarium air line with the insert end melted a little - otherwise it's too sharp - if smooth enough to rub on your gums then it's okay for their throat). I would not offer any feed until I was sure the blockage was gone.

We also need to know what the pill was because many drugs have drug interactions with antacids.

I will look through my books to see what drugs can be given to poultry.

Here two links. In them you can search for the names of drugs that can be used in birds.
http://avianmedicine.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/09_therapeutic_agents.pdf
http://avianmedicine.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/18.pdf

Edited to add:
I see this happened on Friday, so the pill has *probably* dissolved by now, but if there is swelling be very careful about what you feed, as in be careful not to feed anything that could get stuck, and do not feed anything acidic.

 

[chickens really]

Seriously?..Hmmm? That sounds pretty intense for something not that serious...?..

 

[chickens really]

Also I don't see anything from the original poster anymore?...Not here anyways?...

 

[goose321]

Thanks for all of your replies. I definitely think that the pill has cleared the crop as the swelling I mentioned in previous posts has gone. I have been feeding her normal feed however in very very small quantities and softened. I am going to call the vet first thing in the morning. For the mean time I am deciding whether to give a small dose of pepto Bismol as it is all I have on hand at the moment. There is not a lot of information out there as to whether it is truly safe for waterfowl though so that is why I am hesitant. Also the medication she was on was clindamycin hydrochloride 150mg twice a day for 30 days. She was over halfway through the course.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Can you try giving her the antibiotic hidden in something that will go down easy like a small piece of water melon or a small piece of bread with the pill smooched around it?

 

[BreanneRN]

What was wrong with the goose initially that she needed the antibiotic? Do you need to continue the med? I would stay away from Pepto Bismal, it contains salicylic acid as an ingredient... You would be better off to just feed her soft food for a few days and let her heal. If you need to continue the medication, perhaps you can empty the capsule and mix it with fruit or something she will eat readily.

 

[BreanneRN]

Or coat the pill or capsule with lard or bacon grease, so it will not get stuck. That's how I give medications to the dogs and cats. I have also used butter.

 

[Eagle Flight Farm]

The Bird had a pill stuck. No need for antacids...

If a pill becomes stuck and dissolves against the lining of the esophagus, it can cause a chemical burn or irritation. In these cases, an antacid is recommended. Our vet spent quite a bit of time with us stressing the importance.