Wobbly/weak gosling

[Goldenpheasantlover]

Our Charlie, the finger-biting gosling, seems to have been getting weaker over the past few days. I've read up that the fact he is so wobbly on his legs could be a Niacin deficiency, so we've been putting brewer's yeast in his food. He's been having it for a few days but is still very wobbly and seems to be tired a lot. I know it will probably take a while for the yeast to take effect, but I wanted to check there wasn't some other problem.
He's 1 1/2 weeks old and seemed to be walking well before, but now he's very unsteady.

 

[larkflying]

Is he still eating and drinking? What are you feeding him? If he is still eating and drinking and wants to get around, I'd try to get him outside for some sun, and good grass eating . . . Last year I used those portable metal puppy fences to make a little area for the geese where they could eat grass while I was watching them. It took them a bit to get used to the outside/eating grass concept, but after a day or so they loved it.

I know people supplement their geese with something besides Brewer's Yeast, but I can't remember what it was, besides waterfowl food, and maybe some extra grit . . .

Hope he improves quickly!

 

[larkflying]

Is he eating well, and drinking okay still? What are you feeding him?

I'd try to get him outside for some sunshine and grass, if he's at all able to go . . . even a short time should cheer him up after he gets used to it. Lots of clean drinking water, clean bedding, and a nice warm non drafty place to sleep. Does he have a companion? Even a stuffed animal would help him not feel lonely -- geese are the first bird that I've seen that is so aware of company. My goslings truly seem to enjoy each other . . . so maybe he is just a bit lonely.

It is hard to figure out waterfowl issues -- hopefully someone here will have more ideas! I hope he improves quickly!

 

[Goldenpheasantlover]

Lark - He's eating a drinking fine which is why I assumed it was this niacin deficiency. I'm feeding him goose crumb and have been letting him outside to eat the grass. I think that's part of the reason he was so tired yesterday
He has a fluffy orange pencil-case as a companion. I do feel bad that he is the only goose that hatched, but Toulouse chicks are so expensive! We may get another breed (I've got my eye on the West of England geese) just so he has some company.
He seems much better this morning - much steadier on his feet and still eating and drinking well. He was ill last night so I've taken out the yeast...it was probably fermenting in his system, but he's pretty much back to his old self now. I'm going to find another supplement that won't make him feel so poorly ^^

 

[Goldenpheasantlover]

I have noticed he is very warm and seems to be breathing heavily. Almost flu-like, but without any discharge. I read somewhere that over-heating could cause 'staggers', which would kind of fit what he's doing, but I'm not sure what to do about it. He has a constant supply of fresh, cold water and seems to be drinking plenty of it, but he's just very weak and tired all the time. Always asking for cuddles instead of running around exploring like he used to. The only other thing I can think of is a cool (but not cold) bath of water for him to swim around in.
Oh, and he also has very watery brown poo, but that could be from the amount of water he's been drinking.
Any suggestions for this?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Raise the heat lamp and or down size the wattage you are using. Most pharmacies here in the states sell niacin pills, just straight niacin nothing with flush listed. As a young gosling he should be on a starter blend of food.

 

[Goldenpheasantlover]

COF - I've raised the heat lamp and he feels cooler now, but he isn't complaining so I don't think he's cold. Still very wobbly and sleepy. There's a place near us that sells niacin pills so I'll try getting some from them and see if that helps. Thanks!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Welcome, good luck. I use a product called Nutri Drench here as well. Maybe a feed house or chicken supply would have it for you as well?

 

[larkflying]

OOps -- sorry for the double post -- my computer had a glitch and I'd thought it had gotten deleted . . .

Glad he is seeming a little better even!

 

[Goldenpheasantlover]

He's rapidly got worse over the past few days now so I've taken him to the vets. They said it was probably rickets and have given us multivitamin and vitamin D3 supplements to put in his water. Hopefully we'll start seeing some improvement soon, for his sake at least. He cries and I think it hurts him a lot