Impetigo on gosling

[User635240]

This two week old gosling suddenly displayed swelling on his cheek like impetigo. Any ideas what this could be? Could this provide a clue as to why this clutch has such a high mortality rate?

One of the 15 died in the store (Family Farm and Home), 6 more have died over the past two weeks, and 2 more look like they will die in the next couple of days. I also have 3 Africans from the same vendor, same food, and they are thriving.

 

[Goosebaby]

This two week old gosling suddenly displayed swelling on his cheek like impetigo. Any ideas what this could be? Could this provide a clue as to why this clutch has such a high mortality rate?

One of the 15 died in the store (Family Farm and Home), 6 more have died over the past two weeks, and 2 more look like they will die in the next couple of days. I also have 3 Africans from the same vendor, same food, and they are thriving.

View attachment 3886884

Facial swelling can be from a sting or bug bite, a wound that has become infected, or a sinus/upper respiratory infection.

Have you noticed any other symptoms besides the lack of growth with this gosling?

 

[User635240]

They are occasionally gasping for air. The ones who look worse have a hollow gaze and have only grown about half as much as the stronger ones. One that died yesterday was writhing with it's neck arched back and was unable to stand, kept falling over. Hoover's recommended a broad spectrum antibiotic like doxy which I gave them. Doesn't seem to make a difference, the weaker ones are getting weaker and the stronger ones the same.

Facial swelling can be from a sting or bug bite, a wound that has become infected, or a sinus/upper respiratory infection.

Have you noticed any other symptoms besides the lack of growth with this gosling?

 

[User635240]

Could they have gotten a fungal infection from the air inside the old RV? I didn't see a way to get any otc antifungals.

 

[Goosebaby]

Could they have gotten a fungal infection from the air inside the old RV? I didn't see a way to get any otc antifungals.

That does sound like an upper respiratory infection. The neck stretching over the back could be a symptom of a respiratory infection too but often that’s from a vitamin deficiency so there’s a likelihood it’s both.

A fungal infection is possible. Over the counter anti fungals won’t work on aspergillosis but if you dig around the internet deep enough you can find what the vets use “itraconazole and amphotericin B,” but I seriously advise you not to use those, they are toxic and and have serious side effects, and with AmphoB the difference between an ineffective under dose and a lethal overdose is very fine.
For fungal infections turbinafine is safer for waterfowl and seems fairly effective, but keep in mind “safer” does not equate to safe. Fungal infections are something that really need veterinary oversight.

Doxy works on most bacterial infections but not all, assuming the issue is bacterial and not fungal you could try and switch antibiotics and go with Baytril or Tylosin, or both.

 

[User635240]

That does sound like an upper respiratory infection. The neck stretching over the back could be a symptom of a respiratory infection too but often that’s from a vitamin deficiency so there’s a likelihood it’s both.

A fungal infection is possible. Over the counter anti fungals won’t work on aspergillosis but if you dig around the internet deep enough you can find what the vets use “itraconazole and amphotericin B,” but I seriously advise you not to use those, they are toxic and and have serious side effects, and with AmphoB the difference between an ineffective under dose and a lethal overdose is very fine.
For fungal infections turbinafine is safer for waterfowl and seems fairly effective, but keep in mind “safer” does not equate to safe. Fungal infections are something that really need veterinary oversight.

Doxy works on most bacterial infections but not all, assuming the issue is bacterial and not fungal you could try and switch antibiotics and go with Baytril or Tylosin, or both.

I tried tetracycline (at the advice of Hoover's hatchery) and miraculously the swelling was gone the next day. Also gave them VetRX drops in their throats, nostrils, and drinking water. Also added Tylosin to their water. I also added potassium iodide to their water (I read that helps with aspergillosis.) There were no new deaths this morning. The remaining 7 look gaunt but were honking this morning. I hope they will survive. I think what happened, there was one chick (baby chicken) I recovered from a nest in the barn air gutter who had watery eyes. I thought she had an eye infection but possibly she had a respiratory infection and passed it to the goslings. These goslings also appear to have been bred poorly.

 

[Goosebaby]

I tried tetracycline (at the advice of Hoover's hatchery) and miraculously the swelling was gone the next day. Also gave them VetRX drops in their throats, nostrils, and drinking water. Also added Tylosin to their water. I also added potassium iodide to their water (I read that helps with aspergillosis.) There were no new deaths this morning. The remaining 7 look gaunt but were honking this morning. I hope they will survive. I think what happened, there was one chick (baby chicken) I recovered from a nest in the barn air gutter who had watery eyes. I thought she had an eye infection but possibly she had a respiratory infection and passed it to the goslings. These goslings also appear to have been bred poorly.

Keep up with the Tylosin for the next 5 days.

 

[User635240]

Keep up with the Tylosin for the next 5 days.

@Goosebaby do you think these remaining ones will survive? They are eating and chatty. But their eyelids look pale and swollen still.

 

[Jenbirdee]

@Goosebaby do you think these remaining ones will survive? They are eating and chatty. But their eyelids look pale and swollen still. View attachment 3889725View attachment 3889723

they’re so cute. i certainly hope they survive and thrive.

 

[Jenbirdee]

@Goosebaby do you think these remaining ones will survive? They are eating and chatty. But their eyelids look pale and swollen still. View attachment 3889725View attachment 3889723

do they have access to water that’s deeper than the one in the picture? they need to be able to dunk their heads in to it so they can keep their nares and their eyes clean and healthy