Injured Canada Goose. What should I do?

[Folly's place]

I also think that removing that string might fix her problem. About avian influenza, another problem entirely.
Keep all your birds locked in roofed housing, and wash/ disinfect everything that touches that goose. No contact is definitely best right now, after you get that string off the leg.
Mary

 

[GranderTheGander]

I've caught Canadian geese with fishing string tied around a leg. You need to entice it with food for sure. Lots of times they are really hungry, because standing up forging hurts. Sometimes they will sit down to eat the food you are providing, sometimes not. Then, I would just get close as I could and grab it if I was pretty certain I could. If I didn't think I could get it, I wouldn't try at that time. A failed attempt could make the goose avoid you from then on.

The goose having a bad eye would be to your advantage. Try to get on the bad eye side when you try to grab. Also, if you end up grabbing a wing, hold on, and then quickly fold the wings by putting your arms around the goose. You may get hit in the head a few times, which can make your ears ring, but hold on tight! (Don't wear glasses of any type while trying this.)

Next, since it was a wild bird, I always had cuticle scissors and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide with me. I would take the goose the short distance to where the supplies were and cut off the string, while still holding on tightly. After getting the string off, I would pour hydrogen peroxide all over the wounded area and then release the bird. Thankfully, it worked well in my cases. The goose would quickly fly off, but I would see it again later. Even if the wound was deep, the leg still healed up. Good luck if you try this. Anyone else trying to catch the goose, who the goose does not know, will have a lesser chance of succeeding, unless it is greatly weakened. Stranger can spook it.

Thanks for the update on Gooslyn. So glad to hear he is still doing well!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I just noticed some geese in the yard and in the pond. I'm going to take necessary supplies with me and then figure out if she's out there. She was the last to come out of the pond and ate away from the flock yesterday. Of course I don't blame her knowing how aggressive they can be with each other, especially when food is involved. This might make them all mad but if I'm successful that's OK and maybe they'll forgive me in about 30 days (or whenever this AIV threat is gone). I just can't be mean to them in an effort to run them off. I really hate this AIV!!! I know that I'm not the only one that's impacted and we all hate anything that could bring disease to our flocks. I'll update if she's out here and if I'm able to attempt. I've got chlorhexidine and I hope that's OK to use if I can remove the string. My bottle of peroxide is big, clunky, and difficult to use on the run. The diluted chlorhexidine is in a softer smaller squirt bottle that's small enough to carry in a pocket. I really hope that's OK. Wish me luck. Thank you all for the information! I think I'd rather try to remove the string and pray for her recovery. I'll contact CWFR if she's not here today, just to give them a heads-up or to see if they want to send someone. Or if there are any problems. Thanks again for all of the help I really appreciate it

 

[Folly's place]

That diluted chlorhex is great!
Mary

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I'll have to hold onto my little kit (diluted chlorhexidine, 3 types of scissors/clippers, towel to cover her head and lysol for disinfecting my attire so I can get to house and change) of string cutting and disinfecting stuff. She's not here. They tend to fly in all throughout the morning so there's still a chance she'll show up today. I guess I'm their quick stop breakfast joint Gooslyn has flown in by himself before so there's no telling when or if "Newbie" will show up. I'll be prepared if she does. Thanks again

 

[GranderTheGander]

I used hydrogen peroxide because I had nothing else at those times, except for a cream antibiotic. Since I knew good and well any wild goose grabbed and then released would be heading straight for the water, a cream didn't seem to make any sense. Sounds like you have the chunky 32-ounce hydrogen peroxide bottle. I used the 16-ounce ones and just poured the whole bottle on the wounded area.

Since the last time I had to do string cutting, though, I've gotten Vetericyn Plus spray for my pets. That seems like something that might work, but only the biggest spray bottle. The smaller ones don't always spray as they should, and the biggest sprayer really soaks! Ask my soaked cat with skin problems in the summer. I was saving money with the biggest bottle, and ended up pouring it in the smaller bottles.

It's wonderful that you are going to try to help her. Understandably, not everyone would do so, especially with the AIV threat in your area. Please keep us informed and take care.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I went outside to find my favorite Gander had stopped by for a visit This is the first time he's been here in months. Looks like he's been attacked again and suffered some trauma to his face. Thankfully it looks to be healing up nicely. I can't decide if this sweet Gander is really lucky or unlucky

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Better pictures of the most recent injuries

 

[swampfox440]

Hi Heather, I would get a fish landing net and net the goose. Make sure the net you get is a big one. Put it over the goose holding it down to the ground and stand on the handle. You need two people to do this. One person stands on the handle while the other subdues the goose and removes the string. You may be able to manipulate the leg through the net holes and slide some sharp tiny sheers or something under the string to cut it. All the other folks have given good advice. Good luck.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hi Heather, I would get a fish landing net and net the goose. Make sure the net you get is a big one. Put it over the goose holding it down to the ground and stand on the handle. You need two people to do this. One person stands on the handle while the other subdues the goose and removes the string. You may be able to manipulate the leg through the net holes and slide some sharp tiny sheers or something under the string to cut it. All the other folks have given good advice. Good luck.

Thank you for the information. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Unfortunately that goose never came back, to my knowledge. This goose that's here visiting me is a handicapped friend that is such a kind and gentle bird. It's been coming for visits for 2 years now. I thought about trying to capture this goose and hand it over to a rehabber or trying to get permits to keep it, but it's doing fairly well on it's own, especially being it only uses one leg I'm not sure what happened to this goose that caused it to lose use of that other foot, but this bird never ceases to amaze me