Baby gosling keeps falling over - any advice?

[Miss Lydia]

Hi - no improvement so far. Tried to make her swim in the sink but she was just walking on the floor of it so at leasts she is growing. Still loving the egg. We've changed her from chick feed to chick crumb now as there's grit in that and, I daresay, more vitamins. Loves it. She's on her side right now with the chick snuggled up to her. She keeps pecking the chick's tail and wings so, like I say, she's full of life. It's so sad to see her trying to get up and, even if she does manage it on her own which is rare, she only falls over again. She's trying so hard - can't see what else we can do to help her, except give her time. Will try and get some photos though lord knows how I download them onto this site! Should take my mind off things for a few hours while I work it out. Husband (J) has just been in to complain that they're on one of our best towels. I cut up one of his slippers too to make a bed - chick loves it cos she can hide under it but Baby was having none of it. Will keep you updated xxx

Hopefully as she matures she'll grow out of this, but I have to encourage you to get her some niacin very in expensive and it helps so much with neurological problems and weak legs. if you do decide to get some get "plain" not time released or flush free. and water therapy is great to build muscles so as often as you can let her be in warm water moving her legs. it will help with balance to, just be sure not to leave her alone in water. Look forward to seeing pics of her and the lil chick. and when she is wet dry her off good before putting her back under heat,. I'm sure you probably know all of this but can't help myself. sorry.

 

[jobo123]

Well the weather was better on Thursday so we drove to town and took her to see our lovely Bulgarian vet. He gave her selenium, calcium and some antibiotic - injected into her mouth. Told us to do the same for 3 days then put the mixture into her drinking water - said it wouldn't bother the chick. Said it'd take 3-4 days to see any improvement. Today is the 4th day and no improvement so far. I've had her on the bed, on the rug, on one of my tops - the longest she stood for was 38 seconds. Someone asked me if her legs were OK - they seem to be, certainly no curling under her. Vet said her weight was fine. I pointed out that she seemed to be leaning to one side and he said she was just compensating for not being able to stand properly. He seemed quite hopeful. I've had no sleep forever and am getting disheartened - but I haven't given up. I got some sort of weewee pads that the vet uses but it's a bit slippery. Anyway, that's in the cage with a rolled up teatowel. She's on her side right now eating - the chick keeps standing on her head! So, that's my update - no better but no worse. Thanks so much for all your caring and helpful suggestions - I'll just keep at it and see what happens xxx

 

[RURU]

Have you given your baby niacin? That seem to help with strenghning the legs up and also helps with the nerolgy problem he/she is having...

 

[jobo123]

Hi - just an update of sorts. I gave her the medicine for 10 days and no difference. Took her back on Wednesday for more medicine so, another 10 days' worth. I mentioned niacin to the vet but she said there's niacin in the meds I'm already giving her. She also said that, as she's been like this since she hatched, it's probably genetic and she won't get any better. Not good. So, J and I are carrying on feeding, watering, and righting her all day every day just to see what happens. I reckon when she's bigger and stronger she'll either be able to stand and walk or she won't. She's getting bigger every day but there is zilch difference in her ability to stand, let alone walk, so I'm not feeling very hopeful. We're just going to wait and see what happens as she grows. The chick will be out of the cage in about 2 weeks' time as she'll be ready for the great outdoors by then. I've been taking them outside every day as the weather in Bulgaria has been glorious and she's been eating grass and weeds - albeit on her back. I let the chick run around as the cats don't bother her. Baby just lies there eating and drinking then crying when she can't get up. I guess if she's still the same when she's older there will only be one thing to do. If we put her outside with the others she'd be dead in 5 minutes as the others would attack her. Anyway, not quite given up yet! xxx

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi - just an update of sorts. I gave her the medicine for 10 days and no difference. Took her back on Wednesday for more medicine so, another 10 days' worth. I mentioned niacin to the vet but she said there's niacin in the meds I'm already giving her. She also said that, as she's been like this since she hatched, it's probably genetic and she won't get any better. Not good. So, J and I are carrying on feeding, watering, and righting her all day every day just to see what happens. I reckon when she's bigger and stronger she'll either be able to stand and walk or she won't. She's getting bigger every day but there is zilch difference in her ability to stand, let alone walk, so I'm not feeling very hopeful. We're just going to wait and see what happens as she grows. The chick will be out of the cage in about 2 weeks' time as she'll be ready for the great outdoors by then. I've been taking them outside every day as the weather in Bulgaria has been glorious and she's been eating grass and weeds - albeit on her back. I let the chick run around as the cats don't bother her. Baby just lies there eating and drinking then crying when she can't get up. I guess if she's still the same when she's older there will only be one thing to do. If we put her outside with the others she'd be dead in 5 minutes as the others would attack her. Anyway, not quite given up yet! xxx

I'm sorry to hear your not seeing much improvement do you know how much niacin is in the meds your giving her, Niacin is fairly inexpensive and I see no reason why she couldn't have more along with the meds, after all it will either help her or it won't. At this point I'd try all things. She could even take a 500 meg dose in her water. it's water soluble so ti will be eliminated what she doesn't need. Glad to hear your weather has improved, hopefully the sunshine along with grazing and meds and added niacin will help her. Thanks for updating,.

 

[RURU]

Did the vet give you any idea of what caused this or if it will even change? I am so sorry to hear there is no change. Sounds like the baby might be crippled not being able to stand or walk. So sad when this happens to the babies.

 

[jobo123]

Hi everyone - another update for you. She is now much bigger, is standing and is taking a few steps. We put her outside, when the weather's OK, and she grazes on the weeds. When I stand nearby she walks to me and usually makes it. The problem now is - when she falls over, or trips, or the chick (that turned out to be a cockerel) pecks her and she falls on her back - she can't get up. She lies on her back with her legs going like crazy. I push her gently at the top of her leg and she rolls over and gets up. She doesn't seem to be able to rock on her own or use her legs to help her up. On it goes. I'm hoping, as she gets older and bigger, she might be able to work it out - or her growing wings might even help her balance. Anyway, just thought I'd let you know the physio is still going on and we haven't given up on her. Just need to train her to get up now!! xxx