Lame goose

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
Hopefully someone can help, I have a gorgeous Embden goose, about 5 months old that is dreadfully lame. I have taken her to our local agricultural vets to be checked out, nothing broken, no cuts, scratches, puncture wounds or anything. She has had a course of anti inflamatories and a course of antibiotics, but no improvement. I've tried Brewers Yeast in water as I'd read that it could be a vitamin deficiency, but no change. Have tried Animalintex foot poultice for last 6 days but still lame. I have felt all down her leg, nothing obvious. She gets about by walking on her toes on that foot. The other 2 geese I have are fine. This has been going on for about 3 months now. She wasnt lame when I bought her and there isnt anything left lying around in the garden that she could hurt herself on. HELP !!
 
Is she wormed? This is the first thing I would do before anything else...

Waterfowl can go lame when they are carrying worms.

They can get Bumblefoot - bacteria entering through a bruise or injury on the foot but this is usually shown by a swelling.

What are you feeding? Wheat? Does she have access to grass?
 
Hi Tim,
Yes they have all been wormed, I feed them on mixed corn, loads of greens, melons, grapes and they free range in the garden so have access to grass all day (garden is totalling organic, no chemicals ever used ).
I am struggling to think of anything else, she isn't over weight either.
Jen
 
I am sorry to hear about your goose, I have never kept geese, however, I did have a lame runner duck, who took a long time to heal. Very similar to your goose in the fact that she free-ranged, good diet, not overweight etc. No evidence of a cut, or anything, nothing growing when samples were taken. Still we treated with I think 2 long courses of antibiotics, plus anti-inflammatories it took around 2 -3 months to sort out eventually.
 
JJ of the Fens said:
Thanks Foxy, I'll keep hoping. Was your duck ok eventually?
Click to expand...

yes JJ she made a full recovery :D I have to say it was extremely frustrating at the time, not uncommon though in runners with their bipedal stance.
 
The only other thing I have found (in my book) is Staphylococcus Infection which usually affects young birds and is less likely to occur in adults. Apart from being difficult to spell... :oops: it can cause infection in the sheaths of the tendons in the legs and feet. Usually the area swells though, the bird limps and the swollen area is hot to touch.

This is treated with antibiotic injection by the vet. My book suggests you get less problems when feeding some pellets with extra vitamins and minerals rather than just wheat and grass.

Most of the problems listed that have some sort of limp associated seem to relate to vitamin defficiency as you say.

The only thing you might be able to do to keep her from using the foot as much is keep her in a smaller area where she is unlikely to be startled / move around as much. There was someone on the forum 6 months or so ago who had a lame goose and from memory they kept it confined for a while, continuing the good diet for a while. Perhaps have a search through some of the older posts in this area of the forum.

My fingers are crossed for you!

Tim
 
Hi, how long was she on antibiotics? Do you know what one she was on? As Tim already said, it sounds like a
Staphylococcus Infection- if so, you need a strong all round gram positive and negative antibiotic- somethnig like, Terramycin, angemycin and the course should be at least ten days if not fifteen. Is she breathing normally? as that strain of bacteria can affect breathing and cause infection in the airsacs- if she is breathing badly then the vet will suggest a steroid injection too.
The bacteria can enter through a tiny cut/nick on the foot and you wont notice until the goose goes lame or the first digns of bumblefoot. It is very hard to cure quickly- just keep at it and all should be well :)
regards, David :)
 
Hi,

The antibiotic was Baytril and she had it for a week. Her breathing is fine, there is nothing else wrong with her at all except the awful limping. She eats and drinks well, eyes clear, poop all fine, it's maddening. The only thing I think, is to take her back to the Vets and try again with the antibiotics, for longer this time. The Vet thoroughly checked for cuts and nicks to feet and legs previously and checked all toes, claws and bones for breaks, but couldnt see or feel anything. The more I watch her, the more convinced I become that there must be something in her foot because of the way she carries it and walks on her toes on that foot.

Thanks to everyone for your ideas and advice, I will keep you posted on her progress.

Jenny and poorly Daisy
 
Hi I would take her back, another course won't do any harm, and maybe as Tim suggests pop her somewhere where she can have some real soft bedding, ie a shed with thick bedding to restrict her activity?
 
Hi Baytril is no good- it will not work and also you will need a longer course than 7 days- i would ask your vet for Terramycin or something similar- the injection is better than putting it in water- that way you know she has received it all.Box rest will not improve it if it is a bacterial infection like bumblefoot.
regards, David :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top