Lost a Gander this Afternoon :(

[pips&peeps]

I noticed one of my ganders looked ill this afternoon and when I went out tonight to feed, he was dead.....

Anyway, if anyone has any idea what may have happened to him, please respond. I am taking him into my vet in the morning and I plan to do a necropsy with the avian specialist who is just a technician. Any ideas of things to look for would be greatly appreciated.

He was a normal healthy appearing gander until today.

He appeared blue/purple (cyanosis) around the beak and legs when I noticed him.

There is nothing that they could get into to my knowledge that would cause botulism.

When I picked him up he appeared to be of a healthy weight.

There is nothing else to report.

I have only had one gosling die and one I had to put down since I started breeding three years ago and this is just very sad for me.

 

[duckyfromoz]

So sorry to hear about your gander. I hope what ever you find tomorrow isnt something that may pose a risk to the rest of your flock.

 

[eggchel]

Jean, Im really sorry that you lost a gander so unexpectedly.

Could he have been bitten by a snake?

 

[Mahonri]

Isn't it extremely cold up there?

 

[team guava pastry]

I'm sorry for your loss, but I would rather have them die peacefully at home than disappear due to a predator, or person.

I hope you find out why he passed.

 

[pips&peeps]

We do not have an poisonous snakes where I live. And, we had a few weeks of very cold weather, but it has been in the upper 40's during the day and around 30 at night, which is very unusual for us.

I'm getting the kids ready for school right now and then I will head out to the vet.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Jean so sorry to hear of your loss.

I suppose it could be any number of things.
Maybe he got something caught in his throat??
Let us know what you find out.

 

[onthespot]

sounds like airway/circulation, sudden-like. So sorry for your loss.

 

[The Sheriff]

So sorry and waiting to hear what you find out.

 

[banter]

Very sorry for your loss.