Cat attacked gosling...

[DulcyDoll]

I left this morning, only to come home to both of my goslings missing from the brooder. The brooder has a top on it, but it was knocked crooked and they were gone. One was in the kitchen, he is fine, but the other hatched more recently and wasn't even walking yet. I found him in a grocery bag in the middle of the floor. He had a couple little scratches, they weren't really bleeding, just red and irritated, and he has a small scratch on his bill.

It has been about 3 hours, and he is acting a little lethargic. He still gets up and moves around but he is laying down for the most part. He has been drinking since, but I haven't seen him eat much. I am really worried about it. I have given him a bit of sugar water, but it didn't seem to help at all. Can goslings have Poly-Vi-Sol drops?? I know they are ok for weaker chicks..

(oh they are now in a dog crate so nothing else can harm them!!)

Any advice??

 

[redhen]

awww! Poor things! Maybe try to put this in the emergency section. YOu may get more help that way. All i can think to tell you is to keep them warm and maybe use some triple antibiotic ointment on their wounds. But dont use the ointment that says "for pain relief" because it can kill them. Just use plain old triple antibiotic with no pain relief.

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
Check it carefully for punctures into the body cavity...those are deadly. Otherwise it might be in shock...offer warmth and quiet. I have had chickens attacked by a hawk and I ran out before they could be really harmed but for the rest of the evening they were like that- took them a couple days to bounce back. Clean those scratches with antibacterial as cats have nasty bacteria in their mouthes.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Good advice from Windchyme. Cats' claws are equally nasty.

 

[mtnhomechick]

A cat may be able to still reach in through the grated door and pull it apart. I had this happen to a chick.

 

[DulcyDoll]

Dog crate has cardboard secured on 3 sides, and 1/4x1/4 inch wire on the front..nothing else is getting them. And the cat KNOWS mommy is mad at him. He is sulking around and steering clear of me..

I put him back in the incubator, where he will be able to stay warm, and it will be quite so he can recover a bit, if he does.

As of now, he won't open his eyes unless I talk to him, and his head hangs when I pick him up. He has had a few poly-vi-sol drops, and some sugar water..didn't take it readily, i had to coax him to drink it...

cross your fingers for my little baby, i hope he perks up a bit..

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

He needs an antibiotic asap. Do you have a vet you can call? I've bred parrots for years. Anytime a cat scratchs, bites, etc a bird...you need to act fast. Good luck...I hope I'm wrong but, I think your baby is critical. I'm so sorry this happened to you and your little ones.

 

[DulcyDoll]

As much as I love this baby, I cannot afford a vet bill right now.

I'll update in the morning...

Thanks for all of the help thus far...hope he makes it through the night..

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
You can get terramycin at the local feed store for not too much. It is a powder that you put in water. 1/2 tsp per gallon.

 

[DulcyDoll]

I have Aureomycin, but I think it is mainly for resp. problems? I can't get out until later to get the terramycin..