African goose blind this morning!

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This is Sonda, And ya know those baby geese & ducks I have been raising since I bought them at 2 to 3 days old---& then I got hemlock in with their greens & I lost two of them! Well this morning when we went out side the African Gander is blind in one eye the other is runny & his face & neck are swollen! He can't walk without falling over--it sleeps most of the time---we moved their portable pen closer to the house & I have given it drinks of water several times--but it doesn't look good! What do ya think it is???? Bad weeds again???? What???? Is there something else I can do??? The other Chinese hen is fine & the 2 fawn runner ducks are fine! It is just the African Gander! Thanks again--what would I do with out all of you? Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 02, 2000

Answers

Sonda, how is your goose doing? I'd guess something bit him, but you'll need to talk to your vet if you want to try antibiotics. Waterfowl are super sensitive to them. Make sure he's got a big enough pan of water to be able to get his head in and wash it. Change that water often. Look over his head and neck carefully for any signs of punctures or other wounds. Make sure he's getting enough to eat, even give him some treats, and make sure the others don't pick on him because he's sick. Gerbil Oh, and could it be mechanical damage from a nail point (or something) or from getting his head caught through the pen wire?

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), June 05, 2000.

Gerbil--He is still alive, eating--drinking--floating in his wadeing pool of water off & on. I think your right that something must of bit him on his head or neck--His pen is out of that plactic like plastic snow fence--so no wire or nails to hurt him! We move it around the yard as we have a huge yard with two prpoerties & we don't have all of it fenced yet--so we use this plastic & it makes a large pen. He still has real problems walking! I make for sure he has plenty of mesh--but he is loosing weight. His one eye is blind--don't think it will ever get better! Have not found puncture marks on him --but doesn't mean their aren't any! I have watched the others & they still gather around him to sleep. I don't know if he is going to make it or not! If, it is God's will I have two grandsons who are sending up lots of prayers! Thanks for asking & your help! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 05, 2000.

Sonda, if he's made it this long, things are looking up for him. I'd watch really carefully for any signs of pus build-up. Although I can't really say if I'd hotpack and even lance or not. Iffy either way. I just can't think of anything other than venom and/or infection from a wound that would cause this range of problems. Make sure he's got plenty of larger grit.

If he's loosing weight, are you able to isolate him for a bit at intervals during the day and give him some extra food? You could try bits of bread, plain types of dry cereal (Corn Chex is the universal cure-all for me), left-over cooked vegies-especially anything yellow-cooked, mashed, and cooled carrots/squash/pumpkin. Try giving him some corn, either people's leftover cooked, cracked from the feed store (winnow it fairly well, he doesn't need any more crud in his eyes), or whole kernals. You could try sprouting him seeds sold for sprouting. Even if the other birds are able to take corn off the cob, don't make him work that hard right now.

Treat him like a sick child, small amounts of food, cater to his whims (if he survives, you'll be sorry!), and remember that you'll be giving him new foods so little bits at a time. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), June 05, 2000.


When I did chores tonight the African was back talking to me! He is eating good tonight & his feathers look smooth again--& he is getting around better! He has lost sight in that one eye--but is learning to turn his head to see what he wants! Think he is going to make it!!! Answered prayer! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 06, 2000.

Sonda: Hooray for the goose! Been lurking and watching the posts about him, so glad he is doing better. We have one pullet that broke her leg when she flew out over the 7 foot high fence and couldn't get back in. This was a couple weeks ago, and everyone thought I was nuts because I put a splint on her leg. She is doing better now, and I think she will heal up just fine. Who knows, she might be the best layer out of the bunch! "Real" farmers just laugh at this, they would just cull the animal and go on, but I'm just too soft hearted! Glad your gander is doing better! Jan in Colorado

-- Jan B (Janice12@aol.com), June 07, 2000.


Sonda, I'm glad your goose is doing better. Sounds like he'll make it.

And Jan good for you and your pullet. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), June 07, 2000.


Won't believe this!!!!! Tonight when I did chores both of the goose's eyes were open & he is seeing out of both eyes! He came to meet me & was really talking to me tonight---when I put new water in their wadeing pool he was the first one in the pool! He is eating good & is almost back to his old self! Last week I really was not sure he would make it at all--he was bad!! Couldn't see/ walk/ eat/ his face & neck were all swollen/ feathers were all yucky--he would only sit & make terrible squeeking noises! Now he comes running & honking for me!!!! When I told my grandson--he said, but Grandma you know we prayed for him! (Oh Grandma of little faith! ha!) Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 08, 2000.

Sometimes the recuperative powers of animals are amazing! We had a young kitten get bonked on the head with a bed frame one time when we were moving into a new place, and he was unconscious or barely conscious for two days. I thought he was going to die, and wanted my husband to just put him down and get him out of his misery, but our daughters kept begging for another chance, so we left him alone, and he amazed me by recovering. Turned into a really obnoxious cat, but that's another story!! Anyway, I'm glad to hear your goose is recovering!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), June 09, 2000.

Congratulations on your goose's recovery Sonda. I think it is so exciting when an animal pulls through a harrowing experience. Bet he becomes your best friend after that careful nursing care you gave him.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), June 09, 2000.

Sonda, That's great news! It really is amazing how animals pull through sometimes. I'm sure the prayers helped. Hope he continues to do well. All best wishes, Pauline

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters_farm@AltaVista.com), June 09, 2000.


Great news Sonda, always glad to hear of turn arounds like this. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), June 11, 2000.

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