Hi - advice on new gosling falling over please

[drumstick diva]

I've read about people keeping chicks in a mug or cup for days to keep it upright. They put some bedding under it to help clean up the mess. The idea is they are kept upright and can't fall over, if the sides are high enough.

Some people even make a small shelf to hold up food and water so the bird can eat without needing to bend down. I don't know if it is
used on geese or ducks but Polyvisol infant drops (NO IRON) are frequently used on chicks with problems. Usually 2-3 drops 3 times per day. You could just dispense the drops at the front of the baby's mouth so he can swallow on his own.

I would think similar infant (human) vitamins are available to you under a different name.

I always feel if the animal can eat/drink and seems happy - it deserves every chance it can get to survive. Wish you luck with him.

 

[jobo123]

Hi thanks for all your replies and advice. We're in Bulgaria and it's snowing too heavily to get to town to the vet's or a chemist but I'll certainly try the egg. I hate calling it an it so I'll call her a she. She's no better today. I put her in a sink of warm water last night to see how she did and she paddled away but stayed in the same place - probably a bit scared. We've still got her legs tied with a bit of string (which keeps coming off) but I just can't see any improvement. When she was in the water she shook her head and 'fell' in the water so I'm starting to wonder if she's had any brain damage. God knows what her mother did to her. I know when my cat ate some poison and, with treatment, got better - whenever she shook her head she used to fall over and the vet said she had brain damage. Totally OK now though, chasing mice etc, but it took a few weeks for her to get used to her 'new' way of life and she never falls over now. Wondering now if the baby has the same thing. I've been watching her for a while now. She'll stand up and take a few steps and make it to food/drink. Then she'll try and preen herself, or shake her head, and she's over. Whilst she's standing she also seems to be bottom heavy and sometimes falls on her bum - which isn't too bad as she can get up from that. It seems to me (the little I know) that it's when she shakes her head and that it could be a balance problem??????????? Otherwise she's absolutely fine - she snuggled up to me and closed her eyes a little while ago. I just can't - and won't - give up on her. Oh, what can I do??? Every 30 seconds I peek in the cage and she's on her back with her legs paddling away. I always have to help her up. I know I'm as soft as poo but this is heartbreaking. What does everyone think about the balance thing? xxx

 

[TwoCrows]

Hi thanks for all your replies and advice. We're in Bulgaria and it's snowing too heavily to get to town to the vet's or a chemist but I'll certainly try the egg. I hate calling it an it so I'll call her a she. She's no better today. I put her in a sink of warm water last night to see how she did and she paddled away but stayed in the same place - probably a bit scared. We've still got her legs tied with a bit of string (which keeps coming off) but I just can't see any improvement. When she was in the water she shook her head and 'fell' in the water so I'm starting to wonder if she's had any brain damage. God knows what her mother did to her. I know when my cat ate some poison and, with treatment, got better - whenever she shook her head she used to fall over and the vet said she had brain damage. Totally OK now though, chasing mice etc, but it took a few weeks for her to get used to her 'new' way of life and she never falls over now. Wondering now if the baby has the same thing. I've been watching her for a while now. She'll stand up and take a few steps and make it to food/drink. Then she'll try and preen herself, or shake her head, and she's over. Whilst she's standing she also seems to be bottom heavy and sometimes falls on her bum - which isn't too bad as she can get up from that. It seems to me (the little I know) that it's when she shakes her head and that it could be a balance problem??????????? Otherwise she's absolutely fine - she snuggled up to me and closed her eyes a little while ago. I just can't - and won't - give up on her. Oh, what can I do??? Every 30 seconds I peek in the cage and she's on her back with her legs paddling away. I always have to help her up. I know I'm as soft as poo but this is heartbreaking. What does everyone think about the balance thing? xxx

Give her some Vitamin B, E and Selenium. These three things will help build muscle strength. I would try to find an avian vet that might counsel you on this matter. Good luck with your baby. I wouldn't give up on this one either. They can recover over time. Nature has a way of healing these things up. But it may just take some time. As for her falling over, I have no idea how you can prevent this. You might need to get creative and think of something to keep her from flipping over.

Keep us posted!

 

[jobo123]

Gander 007 - boiled some eggs for her and put them in a ramekin so it's higher than the little plate the food was on and she's tucking into it like mad - and standing up. Can't get any vitamins yet because of the snow but will get to the vet's as soon as it eases up. Thanks again and I'll update you on her condition - what a worry xxx

 

[chickie farmer]

I'd use masking tape on each leg and in between keeping the legs the right distance apart. (where they would normally walk) I learned this from Gail Damerow's book. This may help her from tipping over until she gets her strength back in her legs. string may be too loose where she would trip over her own feet. but with tape, they can only go forward or backward. Good luck.