Gosling with hurt leg

[TinyChickenLady]

I have (about) 2 month old goose. She hurt her leg. I thought she just twisted her "ankle" so I put a splint on her foot for a couple days. When I took it off, she babied her foot and started walking on her "knee." I think she fractured her knee by walking on it. It's now very swollen and it looks like there's a bone issue going on. Should I try to splint that area to force her back on her foot? Should I let her walk it off? Will I have to put her down?

 

[Iain Utah]

I would take her to an avian vet.

A month ago, I had a gosling that hatched with deformed feet and instead of doing home treatment and trying to force her legs/feet to go in the "proper" direction (which is what a few posters on this forum recommended to me), I took her to an avian vet. The vet determined the potential side effects of aggressive corrective action was too risky and instead gave us a program to help her learn to live with her deformities. Under the care of a professional and without aggressive corrective treatment, my gosling has been steadily improving with controlled exercise, special diet, restricted living space and very careful attention to making sure she has the best traction at all times with flooring.

Good luck!

 

[TinyChickenLady]

I wish there was one nearby but unfortunately, that isn't an option. I spoke to a regular vet who said there wasn't much more he could do than what I'm doing. I have her confined to a dark room with limited mobility and she is getting better by the day. I don't know if she will ever use that foot again but she is adapting well and getting some pain killers (VERY low doses) so I guess I'll watch her for a few more days and see how she does.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Does the back of the knee look as if it has been flattened: The joint will be much wider and not as rounded as the other knee? Do you have any way to post a photo of the goslings legs? This would be very helpful.

If the knee looks flat, you may be looking at a slipped tendon. Depending on when this happened it may be able to be moved back in place and splinted. However, if it has been more than a couple of days odds are that it has shortened and the leg is semi-useless. This will sometimes cause the foot to look folded up as well. If the leg is not kept splinted for several days even if the tendon cannot be moved, then the tendon will continue to shorten and draw the leg up underneath the gosling.

If this is going on the gosling will mostly hop around on one leg, or scamper using the knee/hock joint instead.

If this is recent, you'll be able to see if it is the tendon by feeling on the inside and outside of the knee joint. The tendon is slightly round and moves. If you can feel it and it moves then gently try to push the tendon to the center of the knee. You will then need to use a Q-Tip broken in half taped to the leg (not too tight, but tight enough to not allow the tendon to move) on either side of the tendon. Keep a close eye on the leg and foot to make sure the tape is not too tight.

If it is too tight the ankle and foot will swell up. A very slight swelling is okay, but if it looks puffy that is bad (cutting off circulation) and it needs to be redone a bit looser around the leg.

As to the avian vet: If you have a college around that has a veterinary program, they may have an avian vet on staff that will be able to help you.

 

[TinyChickenLady]

MrsMagoo,
Thank you for your response and help. Sadly, that is exactly what happened and she proceeded to fracture her knee (we think) from too much walking. We kept it splinted at first but it seemed to cause more harm than good She become nearly immobile and in more and more pain. We mixed a small dose of children's tylenol in her food but it just wasn't enough. My father and I decided the best option, considering our location and her pain level, was to put her down. I couldn't stand to see her hurt.
As for the college option, the local colleges up here are too small for any programs relating to animals or medicine.
Thank you for your help though.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Sorry to hear the baby didn't make it.

 

[meep]

We have the same problem. we plan on amputating her leg next week and putting a stilt on her. fingers crossed. this is her only option other than putting her down at which stage is not an option for us. Other ideas are greatly accepted

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have the same problem. we plan on amputating her leg next week and putting a stilt on her. fingers crossed. this is her only option other than putting her down at which stage is not an option for us. Other ideas are greatly accepted

who's doing the amputating? Hopefully a vet.

 

[Iain Utah]

I am confused. What is wrong with your goose's leg? Amputation seems very extreme!

 

[meep]

Yes definatly a vet.