We lost one of our 3 month old pilgrim ganders last night to a sudden illness. We noticed he was hanging back a bit from the rest of the flock and seemed a little slow, but no lethargic, just not real energetic and not keeping up with the rest of them. We picked him up to check him out and he started cough and spitting up a clear rust colored fluid (maybe had blood in it)? He died within about 15 minutes and after death even more of the fluid poured out of his mouth. I am assuming he likely drown from the fluid in his lungs, but I have not idea what may have caused it given the sudden onset and the absence of any other symptoms. I am concerned because we have 7 other geese as well as ducks and guineas. I have googled and searched the forums and haven't found anything that matches his symptoms. Does anyone have any idea why he died? Should I be concerned he may have been contagious?
