Older goose with mobility issues

[blackbox]

This is Heather:

She is at least 14 years old, probably older, and otherwise healthy, but I've noticed she has been struggling getting in and out of the pond. She walks well on flat ground, albeit slowly, and swims great, it's only when she's walking uphill or climbing in and out of the water that she has trouble. It reminds me a bit of my older arthritic dogs going up the stairs. She doesn't seem to be in any pain thankfully, just moving a little slowly and carefully, with less strength than she used to have.

I know that as they age they slow down and get sore easily and there's nothing you can do other than accommodate them most often, but I was wondering if there were perhaps any joint supplements I could try or something like that to help. Is niacin useful for adult geese as well? Sadly there are no vets in my area that know anything about waterfowl.

 

[Goosebaby]

This is Heather:
View attachment 3624558
She is at least 14 years old, probably older, and otherwise healthy, but I've noticed she has been struggling getting in and out of the pond. She walks well on flat ground, albeit slowly, and swims great, it's only when she's walking uphill or climbing in and out of the water that she has trouble. It reminds me a bit of my older arthritic dogs going up the stairs. She doesn't seem to be in any pain thankfully, just moving a little slowly and carefully, with less strength than she used to have.

I know that as they age they slow down and get sore easily and there's nothing you can do other than accommodate them most often, but I was wondering if there were perhaps any joint supplements I could try or something like that to help. Is niacin useful for adult geese as well? Sadly there are no vets in my area that know anything about waterfowl.

Niacin and the rest of the Bs is beneficial at all ages. I’ve heard tart cherry extract is beneficial for arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Meloxicam is a great pain reliever and is sometimes prescribed to elderly birds for arthritis though it does need a prescription.

@Miss Lydia mentioned a great natural pain reliever on another post but I can’t remember what it’s called.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy who is 12 yrs old is on Cosequin and before he had a limp but after he was on the Cosequin for a few months the limp went away he gets it everyday over a small treat I wet it a little so the Cosequin is absorbed.

 

[blackbox]

Thank you both @Miss Lydia and @Goosebaby !! I have a ton of cosequin for my dogs so I will try giving her some and will see if that helps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My drake weighs around 15 lbs and he gets a tad under half tablespoon daily.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My drake weighs around 15 lbs and he gets a tad under half tablespoon daily.

I sure hope it helps her.