Gosling w/No eyes

[SBFChickenGirl]

I know nothing about geese but I'm following and rooting for your little gosling!

 

[GooseOnLoose]

I'll be holding out hope that the little one's vision turns out to be more than expected. The Terramycin was a good idea - lubrication and insurance against infection, just in case. And help to "unstick" a stuck-together eye! I did apply coconut oil to Elliott's eyes, initially, but I don't think it made a difference...wasn't sure what exactly I was dealing with at the time, but knew the coconut oil wouldn't hurt him. To my knowledge, microphthalmia can't really be treated because it's congenital...but a bird with it can live a reasonably normal life.

It's premature now, but maybe, someday, your gosling can be integrated back into the gaggle - I find they really look out for each other, and for babies.

If you have something like Nutri-Drench, it wouldn't hurt to offer it, too, to get this one off on the best foot, nutritionally- sometimes, disadvantaged babies respond well to these kinds of supplements.

I did give him some pedialyte with some ground up crumbles in it that he really dug. I don’t have any Nutri-Drench but can make a trip to the store tomorrow or Monday to get some.

As of this evening, he was with mama and siblings and being kept warm and protected. The goose who would have hatched him is interested, and the goslings in her but I’m afraid she wouldn’t mother them — so for now they’re staying with Buffy.

I will try to keep you posted and I’m sure I’ll have more questions between now & then as I do a little research and see what I can do to give this little guy as much help as I can.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[GooseOnLoose]

I know nothing about geese but I'm following and rooting for your little gosling!

thank you! He’s really a cute little guy and I’m hoping to keep him as healthy as possible, safe and warm.

 

[Kimmyh51]

Aww poor baby.

I don’t have any totally blind birds but do have a drake who has significantly impaired vision thanks to being attacked by drakes last year who injured the skin over his head. He was lucky to survive and the remaining skin scarred and shrank, pulling the hole in his skin where his eyes would be normally, up above his eyes so that they are unable to close and he constantly has clear mucus around his eyes. He can obviously see, but not that well, I’m guessing; light and dark then blurred most other stuff.

However when I was living somewhere that had a natural stream and would take him and put him down near the water for a swim, within a couple of minutes he would be in the water and almost straight away, he would be playing in the water, ie splashing about, diving under the water, and generally expressing joy in life.

He does spend most of his time in a run, when he is allowed to roam its in the day time for a few hours only. I put him with my ‘hospital ducks’ (ducks at my rescue who for one reason or another needed to be in a smaller separate space, either long or short term; ie for medication, or for disabilities)

Anyway since being moved to the hospital run he’s found himself a girlfriend in a duck who was supposed to be there for a short period of time (infection in her hock which has long since been treated and recovered completely but by then they were inseparable), and so I moved the happy couple to another run, where a third girl was put as she wasn’t happy in the hospital run...she is now his girlfriend too, so he’s probably living the drake dream...who needs eyesight when you have two willing beautiful girls attending your every need? Lol

Anyway despite his lack of vision, he is always interested in treats, fresh swimming water, and is a wonderful, attentive and completely physically satisfying, it seems, lol) mate to the two girls who make up his small harem.

I try to make sure his food, water and pool are always in the same place, however having said that I moved recently and he adjusted to the new run very quickly, and even though it ended up having a very narrow doorway to the area that is sheltered from the weather he is easily able to go to and fro between indoor and outdoor.

If you have the time to set up a separate safer place to house the gosling as it grows and can set it up with some peers or mates I think it can live a perfectly fulfilling, and happy life without full vision or even any vision.

It’s probably more whether you have the extra time to set their space up and maintain it. But if not, maybe you could advertise locally to see if there is someone else out there with more time, who might be willing to offer the little one a home where it is housed with one or two others?


Also, as someone with a duck who cannot walk and never has, who most people assume is a real drain on me and think I’m some sort of saint for caring for her, I can say my ‘disabled’ Duck is the biggest blessing in my life and the joy I get from her is far, far far, inexcess of any time or money I spend on her. She’s also a happy, clever accomplished wee duck, and my only concern with her is that one day when I do lose her (given ducks have shorter life spans than humans) I don’t know how I will cope without her. She’s my baby and my rock.

I don’t know what your situation is, but I do wonder if sometimes our special needs animals or people are brought to us because the much closer relationship we can have with them is a gift and a blessing we need. So maybe you, or if not you, someone else, will be very blessed from forming a closer relationship with this little gosling than would normally happen between a human and a goose...

 

[Kimmyh51]

Oh I also had a duckling once that didn’t open her eyes for several days after hatching. She seemed to be stuck in the hatching process. Like still trying to peck and push out of a no longer existent shell...
After a day or two, took her outside and brushed leaves and stuff against its beak, let her hear the other ducks, and as it was summer dipped her foot into some water. And after that she started to open her eyes...just a little, then more. Then fully open. It was a really beautiful moment seeing those eyes finally open..
She had neurological issues when she finally did ‘wake up’ and join the world, such as being unable to stand properly, circling, and stargazing big time.... But over a week or so, with some vitamin e and lots of love, all those issues came right and she was a totally normal duckling!
Sadly she died a few weeks later from what appeared to be a sepsis (after I lost her found a tiny puncture wound where i I think the bacteria got in) but I have no reason to think that her slow start had any relationship with her death.

I do remember when her eyes first started to open, it felt like the most beautiful thing had revealed itself to me... i miss her so much, and wish hip had gotten to see her grow up.

So if you think your gosling just might not have opened it’s eyes, you could try taking it outside and stimulating it by holding it and gently brushing things past its beak and legs and feathers, and letting it hear the outdoor world. From memory it was the second time I did this that my little duckling s eyes started to open, but the first time I took her out she did seem to react to the different things I brushed against her, (and indoors she was not reacting to any stimulus)...

 

[GooseOnLoose]

Aww poor baby.

I don’t have any totally blind birds but do have a drake who has significantly impaired vision thanks to being attacked by drakes last year who injured the skin over his head. He was lucky to survive and the remaining skin scarred and shrank, pulling the hole in his skin where his eyes would be normally, up above his eyes so that they are unable to close and he constantly has clear mucus around his eyes. He can obviously see, but not that well, I’m guessing; light and dark then blurred most other stuff.

However when I was living somewhere that had a natural stream and would take him and put him down near the water for a swim, within a couple of minutes he would be in the water and almost straight away, he would be playing in the water, ie splashing about, diving under the water, and generally expressing joy in life.

He does spend most of his time in a run, when he is allowed to roam its in the day time for a few hours only. I put him with my ‘hospital ducks’ (ducks at my rescue who for one reason or another needed to be in a smaller separate space, either long or short term; ie for medication, or for disabilities)

Anyway since being moved to the hospital run he’s found himself a girlfriend in a duck who was supposed to be there for a short period of time (infection in her hock which has long since been treated and recovered completely but by then they were inseparable), and so I moved the happy couple to another run, where a third girl was put as she wasn’t happy in the hospital run...she is now his girlfriend too, so he’s probably living the drake dream...who needs eyesight when you have two willing beautiful girls attending your every need? Lol

Anyway despite his lack of vision, he is always interested in treats, fresh swimming water, and is a wonderful, attentive and completely physically satisfying, it seems, lol) mate to the two girls who make up his small harem.

I try to make sure his food, water and pool are always in the same place, however having said that I moved recently and he adjusted to the new run very quickly, and even though it ended up having a very narrow doorway to the area that is sheltered from the weather he is easily able to go to and fro between indoor and outdoor.

If you have the time to set up a separate safer place to house the gosling as it grows and can set it up with some peers or mates I think it can live a perfectly fulfilling, and happy life without full vision or even any vision.

It’s probably more whether you have the extra time to set their space up and maintain it. But if not, maybe you could advertise locally to see if there is someone else out there with more time, who might be willing to offer the little one a home where it is housed with one or two others?


Also, as someone with a duck who cannot walk and never has, who most people assume is a real drain on me and think I’m some sort of saint for caring for her, I can say my ‘disabled’ Duck is the biggest blessing in my life and the joy I get from her is far, far far, inexcess of any time or money I spend on her. She’s also a happy, clever accomplished wee duck, and my only concern with her is that one day when I do lose her (given ducks have shorter life spans than humans) I don’t know how I will cope without her. She’s my baby and my rock.

I don’t know what your situation is, but I do wonder if sometimes our special needs animals or people are brought to us because the much closer relationship we can have with them is a gift and a blessing we need. So maybe you, or if not you, someone else, will be very blessed from forming a closer relationship with this little gosling than would normally happen between a human and a goose...

thank you for that... I’m truly hopeful ge will grown up to be just fine despite the limited sight or lack of it.

 

[GooseOnLoose]

Oh I also had a duckling once that didn’t open her eyes for several days after hatching. She seemed to be stuck in the hatching process. Like still trying to peck and push out of a no longer existent shell...
After a day or two, took her outside and brushed leaves and stuff against its beak, let her hear the other ducks, and as it was summer dipped her foot into some water. And after that she started to open her eyes...just a little, then more. Then fully open. It was a really beautiful moment seeing those eyes finally open..
She had neurological issues when she finally did ‘wake up’ and join the world, such as being unable to stand properly, circling, and stargazing big time.... But over a week or so, with some vitamin e and lots of love, all those issues came right and she was a totally normal duckling!
Sadly she died a few weeks later from what appeared to be a sepsis (after I lost her found a tiny puncture wound where i I think the bacteria got in) but I have no reason to think that her slow start had any relationship with her death.

I do remember when her eyes first started to open, it felt like the most beautiful thing had revealed itself to me... i miss her so much, and wish hip had gotten to see her grow up.

So if you think your gosling just might not have opened it’s eyes, you could try taking it outside and stimulating it by holding it and gently brushing things past its beak and legs and feathers, and letting it hear the outdoor world. From memory it was the second time I did this that my little duckling s eyes started to open, but the first time I took her out she did seem to react to the different things I brushed against her, (and indoors she was not reacting to any stimulus)...

I also wondered if it was possible that his eyes are still developing, but aside from yesterday when I actually witnessed him opening his right eye I’m not seeing a lot of significant changes.

he seems cold this morning and not terrible interested in food. I’m soaking crumbles with pedialyte and he nibbled a few but not much and is content to be bundled up. I’m also noticing a clicking sound when he squeaks and chatters at me... which could be ... a number of things...

Thank you all for helping me get through this...

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Aww poor baby.

I don’t have any totally blind birds but do have a drake who has significantly impaired vision thanks to being attacked by drakes last year who injured the skin over his head. He was lucky to survive and the remaining skin scarred and shrank, pulling the hole in his skin where his eyes would be normally, up above his eyes so that they are unable to close and he constantly has clear mucus around his eyes. He can obviously see, but not that well, I’m guessing; light and dark then blurred most other stuff.

However when I was living somewhere that had a natural stream and would take him and put him down near the water for a swim, within a couple of minutes he would be in the water and almost straight away, he would be playing in the water, ie splashing about, diving under the water, and generally expressing joy in life.

He does spend most of his time in a run, when he is allowed to roam its in the day time for a few hours only. I put him with my ‘hospital ducks’ (ducks at my rescue who for one reason or another needed to be in a smaller separate space, either long or short term; ie for medication, or for disabilities)

Anyway since being moved to the hospital run he’s found himself a girlfriend in a duck who was supposed to be there for a short period of time (infection in her hock which has long since been treated and recovered completely but by then they were inseparable), and so I moved the happy couple to another run, where a third girl was put as she wasn’t happy in the hospital run...she is now his girlfriend too, so he’s probably living the drake dream...who needs eyesight when you have two willing beautiful girls attending your every need? Lol

Anyway despite his lack of vision, he is always interested in treats, fresh swimming water, and is a wonderful, attentive and completely physically satisfying, it seems, lol) mate to the two girls who make up his small harem.

I try to make sure his food, water and pool are always in the same place, however having said that I moved recently and he adjusted to the new run very quickly, and even though it ended up having a very narrow doorway to the area that is sheltered from the weather he is easily able to go to and fro between indoor and outdoor.

If you have the time to set up a separate safer place to house the gosling as it grows and can set it up with some peers or mates I think it can live a perfectly fulfilling, and happy life without full vision or even any vision.

It’s probably more whether you have the extra time to set their space up and maintain it. But if not, maybe you could advertise locally to see if there is someone else out there with more time, who might be willing to offer the little one a home where it is housed with one or two others?


Also, as someone with a duck who cannot walk and never has, who most people assume is a real drain on me and think I’m some sort of saint for caring for her, I can say my ‘disabled’ Duck is the biggest blessing in my life and the joy I get from her is far, far far, inexcess of any time or money I spend on her. She’s also a happy, clever accomplished wee duck, and my only concern with her is that one day when I do lose her (given ducks have shorter life spans than humans) I don’t know how I will cope without her. She’s my baby and my rock.

I don’t know what your situation is, but I do wonder if sometimes our special needs animals or people are brought to us because the much closer relationship we can have with them is a gift and a blessing we need. So maybe you, or if not you, someone else, will be very blessed from forming a closer relationship with this little gosling than would normally happen between a human and a goose...

That's lovely.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I also wondered if it was possible that his eyes are still developing, but aside from yesterday when I actually witnessed him opening his right eye I’m not seeing a lot of significant changes.

he seems cold this morning and not terrible interested in food. I’m soaking crumbles with pedialyte and he nibbled a few but not much and is content to be bundled up. I’m also noticing a clicking sound when he squeaks and chatters at me... which could be ... a number of things...

Thank you all for helping me get through this...

I hope you know how many people are rooting for you and your little one...and are willing to help and support, as we can. Stay strong!

Hmm...I recall that at least one gosling I raised seemed to make a "clicking" kind of sound when I held her, and it turned out to be nothing of concern. Does he have any discharge from his eyes or nares? If respiratory in nature, I'd expect to see something like that. Could you try to capture it on video and post here?

Can you describe why he seems cold (his behavior)? The more detail you can provide, the better.

 

[GooseOnLoose]

I hope you know how many people are rooting for you and your little one...and are willing to help and support, as we can. Stay strong!

Hmm...I recall that at least one gosling I raised seemed to make a "clicking" kind of sound when I held her, and it turned out to be nothing of concern. Does he have any discharge from his eyes or nares? If respiratory in nature, I'd expect to see something like that. Could you try to capture it on video and post here?

Can you describe why he seems cold (his behavior)? The more detail you can provide, the better.

a few extra prayers for the little guys never hurts!

Im not seeing any discharge or anything else of concern that I can see.

When I say he seems cold, his feet were cold and he was anxious to snuggle first into my hand, then into a warm towel and stay put for a bit. I let him rest and stay warm in the sun for an hour or so. As soon as he’d had a little breakfast and pedialyte, he dove underneath his Mom (the hen).