Before we talk about the goose, let’s talk about Petunia.
Poor little Petunia has a sinus infection. Her nare was blocked off with gunk and so she and O’Malley both started antibiotics this week. Petunia went to the vet to have her nare cleaned out and she’ll go back in 10 days if it doesn’t clear up. She was NOT AMUSED. I told her I would watch her more closely in the future to make sure I noticed when she was sick. She is too sweet and quiet so it is sometimes hard to tell when she’s not feeling well, especially when there is other stuff going on here. So Petunia… feel better soon, girl. O’Malley too. (Her feathers look bad right now because she is molting. They should be back to beautiful very soon).
Now about that sweet goose.
Goose was not at all interested in being at the vet today. But she was a sweetheart.
Goose weighs 6.06kg.
Goose’s foot does not look good. Vet wanted to take an x-ray to see if it had been broken.
The foot has been broken, and dislocated, and it is also really infected and arthritic. Some of it has calcified. This means it is unfortunately too late to fix, especially in a heavy bird like a domestic goose.
We had blood taken to see how bad the infection is, and in the meantime goose will start on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
It was a group effort to get the blood drawn.
We are also having a DNA test done so we can know whether goose is a boy or girl. Then we can give him/her a proper name. My guess is girl, but I’ve been wrong before. All blood results should be back Thursday.
While goose’s foot cannot be “fixed,” it can be improved. Goose will go in for foot surgery to clean out the infection and help the foot heal as best it can. This will probably happen a week from today. Goose will need quite a few weeks of aftercare, and hopefully we can do that here at Flapper’s house. If the infection has not done too much systemic damage to the goose, she should be able to recover. She will always have a slight limp and arthritis, and she’ll be prone to future bumblefoot flare-ups, but she should be able to walk okay and live a good life.
Some people have said goose looks angry or mad or upset in some of these photos, but I have to tell you, this goose is not at all aggressive. I know some geese have a bad reputation, but this goose is so far a perfect angel and a total sweetheart. The goose was panting in the photos from stress. It’s a normal response to being poked and prodded by strangers. Goose never tried to bite anyone. Goose is just stressed and scared and a little confused.
Goose came home, let me give her two shots and put cream on her foot, and then she settled into her space and ate some lettuces and food.
We will keep you updated on goose, and let you know as soon as we know more. This is going to be a long-term foot care, so we will not update every day… just when there is new news to share.
Thank you for all the nice thoughts and well wishes for this goose. Remember, there are 8-9 other geese still dumped at Riverfront Park in Spokane, WA who need a safe forever home with a winter barn and food support. We are sorry that we can only help this one goose, but that is all we can do for now.
In other news, goose was not the only one dumped at a park.
This iguana was found in a park in Seattle. It is cold and wet and rainy here. Someone let this beautiful reptile go in a park. Thankfully the Seattle Shelter took it in and we got to meet it today at the vet’s office. We also saw a hawk, some parrots, a frog and a 10-year-old hen.
We’ll share more as soon as we know more. Thank you, and keep honkin’.
P.S. Please tell everyone you know that there is a difference between wildlife and domesticated pets. Domestic animals CANNOT be released in parks. It is a death sentence for them, and causes great suffering. It is also illegal in most areas and can carry cruelty charges. Please never buy pets, and never hatch or breed any pet you cannot care and provide for for life.
