Spirit - the amazing grey dewlap toulouse gander!

[psue]

J... I have faith that you will do the best for Sprit... even if it means you send him to Jerry to take care of.

Words can not express what I'm feeling at this news. . Hugs to you and your hubby as you do the best for Sprit. I hope one of the lesser heart breaking options that work.

 

[livininbrazil]

Another sad update..... After review of the xrays, surgery notes, and pictures, Dr. Wade Isom called me minutes before leaving to go to the appointment yesterday to inform me he felt out of his comfort zone to assess/treat Spirit. So I took Spirit to see Richard yesterday evening and get his opinion. Richard believes the surgery site has overall healed ok, and while he had some concerns about one side being a little puffy and yellowish, he didn't think that was what was disabling Spirit. He was way more concerned that the infection is on the top side of the foot. There is hardness on center top of foot/joint, some yellowing color, and heat.

He suggested we start Spirit back on penicillin shots right away and talk to Scott about the following options: 1) antibiotic shots directly into foot; 2) 2nd surgery from topside of foot to remove infection; or 3) amputation of foot. Of course, while Richard did not mention it, I feel there needs to be option #4.... euthanasia.

I love Spirit more than all of our 50 geese/ducks combined and I do not want to give up the good fight. But, he is miserable and has been for about 6 weeks now. Given the location and severity of the infection, what are the odds that we will be able to beat it? And how much more do I need to put Spirit through to stack the odds in his favor?

Scott has returned to the states, but does not get back Utah for another week. I have sent him an email to inform him of the latest developments and hope to hear from him in the next few days.

That´s a shame...poor gander.
You remember I told you about my greyhound? Well, the first vet felt that it was not going to be easy to fix the dog, but he was confident he could do it, and every op the dog had didn´t go as well as hoped. Afterwards I felt that had I known what he was going to go through, I think I would have had him put down. But each time I thought it was going to be the time to get him right. The actual vet that fixed him was the one from my home-town...I took him back to my old vet who finally did manage to fix the dog. But for a time I felt like you...whatever to do for the best?
The choice will be yours, you know your goose and the vets will advise, but you´ll know the right thing to do. If he has an infection, it´ll make him rough anyway. You never know, if he has a course of antibiotics he may be feeling a lot better by the time Scott gets back.

 

[RiverGoddess]

I know how much you luv him.... I hope all bears well. Prayers for him and you!

 

[RURU]

I sure hope if you have him on antibiotics that they will kick and get rid of the infection..... I am still praying for Spirit and you!

 

[olivers mom]

Janet, you have been so wonderful doing everything in your power to help Spirit. Praying for Spirit everyday and hoping that antibiotics will rid the infection. My heart aches for you and Spirit.

 

[Iain Utah]

Thank you all for your kind words of support. Since Scott is still traveling out of the state, we have an appointment today at 4:30pm with Spirit's back-up avian vet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you all for your kind words of support. Since Scott is still traveling out of the state, we have an appointment today at 4:30pm with Spirit's back-up avian vet.

Hoping for some good news Praying too.

 

[olivers mom]

We're praying for you guys...

 

[Iain Utah]

Good ole Spirit continues to fight! The infection is still in the joint, but xrays look better than before 1st surgery. Dr. Folland opened the surgical site back up and a large piece of free floating dead bone fell out, instantly creating relief for Spirit. Folland also made a hard cast bottom to relieve pressure on center of foot and Spirit is already testing putting weight on it tonight. We are to pack wound with silvadene crème daily and keep cast/wrap on. Daily baths continuing tomorrow. Penicillin shots 2x daily for another week. Then we have him rechecked.

 

[livininbrazil]

Good ole Spirit continues to fight! The infection is still in the joint, but xrays look better than before 1st surgery. Dr. Folland opened the surgical site back up and a large piece of free floating dead bone fell out, instantly creating relief for Spirit. Folland also made a hard cast bottom to relieve pressure on center of foot and Spirit is already testing putting weight on it tonight. We are to pack wound with silvadene crème daily and keep cast/wrap on. Daily baths continuing tomorrow. Penicillin shots 2x daily for another week. Then we have him rechecked.

Good. The battle continues...