My Poor Ironman...please help!...another update post #15

[duck&chickencrazy]

I got home from the movies an hour or so ago and when i was putting my birds away i noticed something strange...my goose was hanging from one of the fence panels...the fence panels are about this big
-____________________-
so it was just big enough for his foot to go through as he was trying to fly over it, so his foot got caught in it and then his body fell to the other side and thats how i found him when i went to put them away for the night...it looks like his leg froze and the skin is scrapped down to the bone where he was struggling to get free...i had to cover him with my jacket and then cut the fence so i could get his foot out (because it had frozen)and brought him in the house to warm-up in the laundry room in his cage...i dont know what else to do for him tho...he is sitting with the froze foot behind him...and he dosnt seem to be able to do anything with it...im worried about him...he is a wonderful bird and one of the first geese that i got...anyone have advice for what i should do? Please help, i dont want him to die!!

 

[roboboy]

His leg is most likely strained or sprained, i would be more worried about the leg being prehaps broken from thrashing and strain than frozen especially if he were hanging. One of my ganders two weeks ago got his leg wrapped around and stuck in some strings from a tarp that they had ripped up.(Naughty geese) He sat outside all night with his leg stuck out behind him in freezing temps until he was found the next morning. We cut him free allowing circulation back in his foot, limped around very badly that day when he moved, but mostly he just sat down and rested (all the while outside). Now he is walking perfectly fine and healthy. You should also apply something to his leg if it is all that horribly ripped up.

I hope he'll be fine just watch him and if there is no improvement in a day or so then you should probably take him to a vet.

 

[Cottage Rose]

If the leg is broken it can be set real easy.
I've done this twice successfully with barn cats and one was broken severely.
Set 1 wooden tongue depressor (available at drug stores/cut length to size needed)
on each side of the leg then wrap snug but not too tight to cut off circulation with vet wrap or medical tape.
Vet wrap is better...much more durable and water resistant.
If he is currently dopey acting he's proably in shock.
Put your bird on electrolytes ASAP and keep him warm
(but not hot) and in a quiet area without a lot of people bothering him.
Feed dry oatmeal, dark greens and thin apple slices if he will eat them.
Good luck!

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

ok well he stood up and his bad leg didnt move from how is was stretched out from behind him...i dont know what that means and why he cant...i think maybe his leg is dislocated...how would i fix hat?

 

[Cottage Rose]

Examine the leg.
Possible the leg is dislocated from the hip.
That is something only a vet could advise you on.
It might be able to be popped back into place
by a vet.

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

there are no bird vets around here and my mom has already said that she will NOT pay for a goose to go to the vet...my parents are EMTs and they could possibly do it themselves...if they cant the only other person i can talk to is a livestock (horses and cattle) vet...but most of the people around here would just say "just shoot it"...this goose is very special to me and i never wanted him to be used as food or anything, i got him and my other gander 2 years ago as goslings and they were my first geese and Hulk is very much attached to Ironman to...when i brought Ironman in the house Hulk cried for him the whole time...and when i opened the window they cried back and forth to each other...so i really want him to survive...

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

Is there a zoo or other place that has geese in your area? If so, ask who takes care of the geese. That person may be able to help you. Also an agriculture/vet college might help. Any place that has people that deal with waterfowl or other poultry.

The vet that takes care of the geese at the local zoo here helped me when I needed some help with my geese. No vets in the area work with poultry.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Do you have him on electrolytes?
You can make some homemade by adding some light kayro syrup,
maple syrup or white sugar (about 1/4 cup to 1 qt. of warm water/shake to dissolve)
and 1/8 tsp.of sea salt or salt substitute.
Is he eating?
How is he acting other than his leg issue?
Have your parents feel the leg to see if they think its dislocated.
On Monday call you local country cooperative extension service and get the
names and numbers for 4 - H leaders for poultry.
Somebody might be able to help you or know somebody who can.
Call Michigan State U. Animal Clinic and ask to speak to an avian vet.
They will talk to you for free
(517) 353-9710
I know how endearing geese can be to their ownders
and how much they love each other.
Best wishes!

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

he is acting like he normally does...i know the leaders for the poltry 4h and i dont think they would help me out because there is not the greatest history between us and i am sure they would say just to put him down...i think my best bet would be to call the vet clinic for their advice...i tried giving him some oatmeal and apples but he wouldnt eat it...he looked like he was going to eat it and then realized it wasnt his normal food so he didnt eat it...i dont normally give my ducks or geese treats...so thats probably why

 

[Cottage Rose]

How about an update on your situation?