Emergency! Please can anyone help?

[mrpetie]

Was at the barn where I board my horse. This Toulouse gosling is about a week and a half. Its poor leg is turned in and the back part of the knee joint is a bit swollen. It can't walk, but is eating, drinking and being quite chipper despite it's leg. It can only kind of drag itself. It shows no signs of pain when you touch or move it leg. They have been moving the leg around several time a day for physical therapy. The Mother has abandoned it and it is the only gosling on the property. What can we do for its leg? Please help. I want to help it before it's too late. I am taking over a carrier and some soft bedding and a snuggle toy for it. At least it will be safe and comfortable.

 

[countrygoddess]

Do you know if it has been like this since hatch or if it is a new occurrence?

 

[mrpetie]

I believe it has been this way since hatch.

 

[countrygoddess]

I asked because if it's new it could be a vitamin deficiency. If it was born like that, well... I'm guessing (wild guess/prediction) that if taken care of like a pet, it could very well learn how to get around okay (animals will surprise you with how resilient they are).

 

[mrpetie]

Thank you. Since it is not mine I do not want to overstep, but the Mother has nothing to do with it and neither do the other geese. It's the only gosling on the property. I am heading there tomorrow to help. I am going to make an ortapedic chir for it to see it it helps. I have also mixed some fresh greens,veggies, and I added crushed up brewers yeast. I am alos going to try the splint idea and see what happens. i will let you know what happens.

 

[countrygoddess]

I'm not sure I would put a splint on it. If it's deformed, it's deformed. The poor little thing probably just needs a little, predator-secure yard of its own with food and water close by and someone to make sure it has what it needs.

 

[mrpetie]

I do have a special built goose pen for the goose I used to have. I will ask the owners if they would let me take it. I have never seen this before.

 

[countrygoddess]

Hopefully, if they have no opinion about the thing one way or the other, they'll let you take it. The special goose house sounds like just what it needs. Keep us up-to-date on its progress and good luck!

 

[mrpetie]

thank you. It appears as if it'sentire leg turns inward starting with the femur, then the thigh joint, and tibia. It's shank goes directly under it's body and faces it opposite leg. It can't walk. I am wondering if putting it in a tub with some warm water to take the pressure off the leg and let it get some mobility. i also want to try a bit of ice to reduce swelling in the hock joint. I am am scheduled for my entry level hospital trainindg for our wildlife center, but not until August. it would sure be helpful now!

 

[countrygoddess]

If this deformity is congenital, it could be that part of the deformity is an enlarged joint, in which case, it doesn't sound to me like the little guy needs medical attention, just loving attention since its mother abandoned it. I bet it would love a little pool. =)

Something else to consider is that a deficiency in manganese, choline, and or zinc has caused what is called Slipped Tendon or Perosis. If this is the case, then you can halt its progression with a proper diet but it's difficult to reverse the deformity to make it normal again. Not impossible though, I don't think. Take a look at this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/678892/new-to-geese-injured-gosling