ataxia in an adult goose

RE: ataxia in an adult goose

joanne mcallister — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 12:59:48 GMT

Thank you Marie. I don`t think I can justify MRI! I guess arthrosclerosis would also indicate he is not a young goose so I'm afraid we will euthanase

RE: ataxia in an adult goose

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:12:20 GMT

It has atherosclerosis of the great vessels - could the abnormal gait be central and related to vascular compromise (thrown a clot/plaque or longer-term reduction in oxygen supply)??

Otherwise I agree there is nothing obvious from an orthopaedic or metal point of view. Kidneys don't look enlarged to me to be honest. I can't see radiographic changes to the spine but in birds this area is not as clearly defined as mammals - perhaps book in an MRI for your new practice pet?

Marie

RE: ataxia in an adult goose

joanne mcallister — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:00:02 GMT

lateral

RE: ataxia in an adult goose

joanne mcallister — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 11:58:20 GMT

Thank you Marie, that's really helpful. We have had swans in with lead intoxication and also ducks with botulism in the past and they presented more with other signs of weakness, whereas this goose seems otherwise very strong. I also wondered about instability between the spine and synsacrum. Im attaching the radiographs

RE: ataxia in an adult goose

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 11:18:57 GMT

Geese can be infected by Mareks but it is thought to only be asymptomatic 'carrier' status and as far as I am aware there are no clinical cases reported.

Lead intoxication is by far the most common cause of ataxia in geese but most cases have clearly identifiable metal particles on rads. Non-particulate lead ingestion is rare but possible from lead paint, or retention of ionic form released from a passed piece of lead so a lead level would be useful, as would a full blood profile.

Botulism is also a significant cause of neurological signs in waterfowl, especially in warm damp weather as we have been having. Antibiotics are of no real benefit as the toxin is ingested from rotting organic matter or maggots, rather than produced by an infection in the goose. Supportive care (fluids/assist feeding/managing to avoid secondary problems like pressure sores and feather damage) are pretty much all that can be done but I tend to gavage charcoal in case there is still unabsorbed toxin in the GIT though I am unsure this is really of any benefit.

Since you are likely to be footing the bill then I would draw a blood sample and store heparin and serum samples from before treatment but start presumptive chelation therapy (35mg/kg sodium calcium edetate) mixed into a bolus of 10ml/kg IV fluids and given slowly via a catheter in the medial tarsal vein and give charcoal and assist feeding and wait and see.

Happy to have a look at rads if you can post them to see if I can add anything further

Marie