Arthrictic Elderly infamous Goose!

[Bago]

Hi All,

I have a gander (Gary) who's around 18-20yrs and has always been healthy in the 6 years I've known him. However, he started limping a few months back (after a heavy storm, so wonder if he got injured), and the vet at the time said he couldn't find anything wrong apart from some callouses on his feet and maybe a bit of arthritis. The callouses have now cleared up and he only had a slight limp until last week. The vet has confirmed it's arthritis in the upper part of his leg/hip area. I've got him on glucosamine and chondroitin (joint aid for dogs!) and Metacam 0.6ml once a day. The joint aid has worked wonders on my dogs!!

https://www.gwfnutrition.com/joint-...MIs7mHxL3d4wIVCLTtCh2Z_gDeEAAYASAAEgIEbPD_BwE

He seems to be sat down more than the other three I have, and I'm worried about him. Some days he hardly limps at all, other days, it's painful to watch!!
He swims brilliantly, and strongly, even on his bad days.
The vet says if he doesn't manage he'll have to be put to sleep. I want to do all I can for him, he has quite a life story and is a lovable character!

Is there anything else anyone can recommend? I'm still a goose novice but learning fast!!

Your help and comments are much appreciated!

Thank you for your time,

Kind regards
Ian

Westbury, Wiltshire, U.K. (Near Stone Henge)

To give you a bit of background, my geese are kept on a lake about a mile from my home and are semi-tame! All dumped unwanted rescues. I'm there everyday after work, what ever the weather!! The lake is 4 acres. Next to the lake, they have a two acre field. They have built nests in the surrounding woodland and share the lake with Canadian Geese and ducks. They all seem very happy. The whole area is perimeter fenced and padlocked. The general public are not allowed in. Only the fishermen that pay a subscription, the gardeners, the owner, the RSPCA and myself have the gate codes. There is a fantastic story attached to one goose in particular (Gary) that made the newspapers!! He was a town celebrity before that however, but was in extreme danger and so I took it upon myself with help from the RSPCA, to rescue him. I then found myself responsible for seven geese! I've unfortunately lost three (Mink/Otters I think), so down to four now.

 

[Iain Utah]

You are a very thoughtful caretaker! Metacam is the best anti-inflammatory for geese. My vet swears by fish oil as a joint supplement, as well as the glucosamine and chrondoitin, but I didn't see any measurable benefit. However, I will swear by cbd oil for my elderly arthritic dog. It works wonders!

I also understand getting stressed out watching geese struggle with aging issues (I have a few senior birds myself). But per my vet advice on quality of life... so long as they are eating, drinking, grooming, and social, they are fine. They do not feel sorry for themselves and adjust well to disabilities.

Best of luck, and we always love seeing pictures on the forum!

 

[Bago]

Thanks Iain, you have set my mind at rest as he certainly seems happy and he's socialising, grooming, eating and drinking. He was moving a lot better today, if still slowly.

I'll see how he goes. Its just the harsh winter I worry about now he's arthritic.

They have shelter in amongst the bushes and trees but that's it. I was going to build them a shelter, but was worried about predators getting in.
They've always managed fine outside, but, obviously, he's disabled somewhat now.
Maybe I'm worrying too much, I don't know. It's still the height of summer at the mo!!

There is a lot of praise about CBD oil currently. Great idea. It really does seem to work according to the news about it. I'm going to order him some. Is there any particular one for dogs/geese that you could recommend?

I'll get some pictures over now. Miss Lydia has seen them all before!!!!
Thank you once again for your time,

Kind regards
Ian

 

[Bago]

 

[Bago]

 

[Bago]

 

[Bago]

 

[Bago]

I'm one down now from when the above was taken!! The one I'm holding is Gary. He was off to the vet that day. 6am Christmas Eve!!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great pics. I have a Muscovy duck that is 12 and she I am pretty sure has arthritis in her hip. Over winter she limped pretty good. I tried the dog brand of glucosimine chondroitin msm and never saw much results tried getting her to take baby aspirin in bread she loves bread and as soon as I smashed the bread around the aspirin she wouldn't take it. So now I am putting hemp oil on their feed. I take hemp oil for fibromyalgia and it helps so I am hoping it will help Ruthie. I buy from Amazon by the gallon since I take so does dh and my 4 dogs and now my birds. it's greenive 100% pure hemp oil organically grown. Winter will be the test.

 

[Iain Utah]

Ian,

Great pics!! Your geese are very lucky!

I prefer to use cbd oil made from the flower. It costs more, but is worth it. There is a facebook group for cbd oil users that has a ton of info. There are a few decent brands that make pet specific cbd products, but not sure what is sold overseas to your area. In the states, I really like Lazarus Naturals (out of Oregon). Their products are great, and are the best value I can find. It is a big company, so they may even ship internationally?

Glad to hear your gander is having a good day. For the winter, just prepare a dry place with soft bedding, and he should do fine. I have a couple of geese that I've thought would not survive the winter, but somehow managed. They are incredibly hardy and resilient.

Hope you stick around the forum and give updates.

Best,
Janet (Iain's wife)

PS -- what a treat to have someone know the name Iain.