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Expert: - 10/18/2010


Question
The neighbors have three geese: one male Toulouse and a pair of Canadian geese, who live in the horse pasture with pond.  The female of the pair got into foxtails; she has a lump on the side of her face the size of a golf ball. We lanced it once and got two foxtails but it is still huge.  She has drainage coming out her nose and if we apply pressure, blood comes out of her eye.  She is scheduled for surgery tomorrow but I was told that geese and ducks have trouble with anesthesia, that she may not come out completely.  Is that true?  What exactly does that mean, how will it affect her quality of life?   She is so sweet and we are at our wits' end as to how to help her.  Thanks.

Answer
Well I would think she will either not make it or she will be fine- there usually is no in between. Depending on the gas they give her and how well they monitor her she should be fine.

Most of the time you can blindfold a goose and use a local anesthetic (2% lidocaine) to lance, drain and flush out a foxtail infection. But that also means antibiotics for a few weeks.

Remember that Canada Geese are federally protected so I do hope that  they have a permit for them.

Here is a link to an article about anesthesia and waterfowl, although it may be too technical for a layperson. \

http://books.google.com/books?id=jxpZo6jjFbcC&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=anesthesia+f...

Ask the vet ahead of time what kind of anesthetic gas he uses and what his/her experience is with waterfowl.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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