Prolapsed Phallus

[RichmondHens]

I have a 5 year old Embden gander who I noticed had a prolapse yesterday when I put him and his 3 wives to bed. He would not let me examine him - no surprise there!
It has not retracted overnight and looks rather swollen and red now, with viscous fluid dripping off.
I'm here on my own so am going to see if a friend is available to help restrain him while I examine him but appreciate he may need vet attention. I plan on washing and lubing it to see if I can get it to retract but just wondered if anyone had any other suggestions?

 

[belleisa]

oh poor boy.
will you have to take it to the vet or do they do house calls or i guess thats quite dear to call a vet out.

 

[Marigold]

Washing and lubing might help if he'd got anything irritant under the sheath, but would probably be unlikely to reduce inflammation, in fact handling it might make things worse, don't you think?
Sounds like a vet job to me, I'm afraid.

 

[RichmondHens]

I've not managed to get any help today. Going to rope in husband later tonight to help look at him. He seems quiet but is sitting in his bath a lot (gave him lots of fresh water) and it looks cleaner but still not retracted. Husband is of the opinion that as it is likely to recur (a bit like hens' prolapses) we should save him a lot of stress and us a lot of money (!!) and euthanase him. He has never been fertile and I do happen to have a spare gander .........
Yes vet call out will be expensive as would need to ask the farm vet. I could take him to the small animal vet (where I take the cats) but transporting Mr Gander will be v stressful for him. I would like to give him a little longer but unfortunately I have to go away for a few days on Thursday so need to get him sorted one way or another before then.

 

[Marigold]

Sad news. Well, it's your decision, but he must be in quite a lot of pain, and it sounds as if vet treatment would be very expensive, stressful for the bird, and possibly not entirely successful in the long run anyway, and you wouldn't be there to look after him post-op, and as he's not fertile and you have another gander, I know what I would do.
Also, do either of your vets specialise in (ahem) unusual complaints in male geese? :roll: :roll:

 

[RichmondHens]

He doesn't appear to be in lots of pain, more likely just uncomfortable. With his head in a bucket of corn at tea time I managed to have a bit of a feel with one hand - feels like a rather firm blancmange - but definitely not easily put back-able I think. He tolerated this quite well, turning round a couple of times as if to say, what are you doing back there, but no squeaks of pain or backing away quickly. He is a very greedy boy and food comes first and foremost, which can be helpful ......
But .... I think the most likely scenario is that he will be despatched tomorrow if no obvious improvement.

 

[RichmondHens]

We did the deed last night and he is now buried in the orchard. Girls appear unfazed by his absence so far. I am going away for a few days and will introduce the spare gander when I am back.

 

[Marigold]

Sorry that he's gone, RH, but I think you did the right thing. You won't have to worry about him while you're away, - or pay a hefty bill for stressful treatment that might not work in the long run.
I have to say, though, that this thread about penile problems in geese was definitely a 'first' on PP forum..... We learn something new every day, on here.

 

[Margaid]

I've got back into the habit of reading non-chicken posts on here. Sorry you had to "do the deed" RH but I agree with Marigold that it seemed the right thing to do. Going away and leaving someone else to look after an animal with a problem is always difficult. Hope the other gander settles in with the girls.

 

[RichmondHens]

Thanks. I got back late last night and this morning have put the spare boy in with the "widows". All seems ok so far. May have fun and games tonight when they have to share the same shed but we'll see ....

He's better off with them than squabbling with his father which is what he has been doing all Spring in the buff enclosure.