Gosling that limps question

[larkflying]

I have one gosling that is limping - I think he/she got trampled by the flock during the night sometime. She/he can walk after a fashion with his wings all spread and sort of hobbling. The gosling is very alert and seems completely healthy other wise -- looks around, eats grass, talks to the other geese. Today she / he seems slightly better than yesterday -- able to stand a bit longer. I have her/him shut into an old chicken tractor today, with food/ water where he can see the other geese, but there is no chance of the baby being trampled again. Anything else I should do? I checked him/her out and couldn't find any marks beyond dirt. The leg looks a bit swollen compared to the other leg, but not terribly so, and he didn't protest when I moved his leg either. He is about 5 weeks old . . . should I let him out at night so he can keep warm with the other geese? Or bring him into the barn so he can stay warm? Our weather, unlike the rest of the US, is cloudy and night time temps are hitting in the high 40's low 50's. That is the main thing I am worried about.

Do goslings recover from this sort of thing? I'd feel bad if he limped perpetually, or we ended up having to put him down. Especially if he is really a she -- I ordered sexed pairs and already lost one goose - with my luck this one will be a goose and not a gander with the limpy leg . . .

Thanks for any help!

 

[mljohnson05]

Sounds like you are doing everything that you should be

I would bring him in at night just to give him a few days to recover, but keep them in view of each other during the day.
If he appears a bit better, then it prob. is just a strain or sprain and time will heal it. you ca soak him in Epsome salt and WARM water TWICE a day. It will help with Pain and Swelling and make him feel so much better.
Also give him a bit of vitamins or electrolytes in the water an scramble eggs with Buttermilk for the extra energy to heal

Best Wishes,

--laura--

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Do NOT let the bird drink the Epsome salt solution. ~gd

 

[Goosehaven]

I currently have one of my goslings thats around 3 weeks with a hurt leg too. I've had many adults that do something to their foot/leg and limp around for a few days. I had one that limped around for a couple weeks. Every one of them have always came out of it. My gosling isn't tolerating it too well, being so young so I brought him back into the brooder today to let him rest and get out of the heat. He was putting alot of strain on it trying to get out of the way of being stepped on by the other geese, etc.... I would do exactly what you're doing by letting yours rest undisturbed so it can heal. It sounds like yours isn't too bad if you think he got around better on it today. Good luck!

 

[theron]

A suggestion of mine would to be possibly mix in a vit/electrolyte solution or even some gatorade in its water to help keep up its energy. A calm place for the gosling to recover would more than likely be the best place. Here is to hoping your gosling gets better

 

[larkflying]

Well, now I am stumped . . . the gosling is getting around worse after being separated -- he can't walk at all now, but sort of flops on his stomach. It is sad! Poor little guy. I wonder if his hurt leg stiffened up while he was shut in and so now he thinks he can't walk? Still is eating and drinking but I'm worried we'll have to put the poor thing down. On his foot you can see a major swelling on his middle toe -- in the middle, right where a person's knuckle would be. I'm glad to hear that some people's have recovered, so I am crossing my fingers that he gets better . . . He's still eating, drinking, and making comments, so that is good . . .

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[Ceinwyn]

Could it be bumblefoot?

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/143/staphylococcosis-staphylococcal-arthritis-bumble-foot

Hope he's feeling better soon.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
One thing that often works with recovering waterfowl is to put it in a pan of water. That way they can exercise the leg and foot by swimming without having to support the body weight. you should keep an eye on it when in the water to get it out if it shows any signs of being chilled since usually they can't climb out by themselves with one bad leg. When I kept a flock of ducks and geese it seemed there was always a young one with a foot/leg problem, it is a weakness and most domestics are heavier and spend more time on land than the wild birds they were bred from.~gd

 

[beckschicks]

This sounds very much like the issue Im having with my goose that is 4 months old and another gentleman's duck on here. sorry I didnt sticky the thread so I dont have his stuff. I wonder if we have a bacterial infection going around or some kind of virus. I dont know I am still fightening mine. Hubby seriously thought it was a snake bite that gave her an infection snakes are notorious for carrying staph and other nasty things. I am using Tylan 50 injectible, lots of physical therapy (manually moving the joints), water time every day, and high protein feed. I am not doing electrolytes anymore just because it has gone on for so long and I dont know if they will cause any harm. I can't find anything on them either way.

 

[Ceinwyn]

Probiotics during and after antibiotic treatment can help keep the staph in check as well.
One of our dekalb amberlink chicks had bumblefoot earlier this spring and I noticed a big change after starting probiotics.