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Goose with cracked beak

Published on: November 18, 2025 • By: goosee · In Forum: Reptiles & Exotics
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goosee
Participant
November 18, 2025 at 03:50am
This goose seems to have had an accident and cracked her beak, possibly breaking lower jaw on one side. I think she probably fell from high up and snagged it on something on the way down. She is content and eats things that are soft enough to swallow, but I am scared the cracks are necrotic and it will eventually become fatal. I tried to take her to the vet only to discover he wasn't alive any more! Avian vets are almost non-existent here, so if it needs operating on the best option will be to have a local vet do it under the remote guidance of an avian expert. An advice on how serious it is and how to treat gratefully received. Likewise for a reference for a vet willing to help from afar.1000038932_small1000038935_small00002017
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Liz Buchanan BVSc MRCVS
Keymaster
November 19, 2025 at 11:33am
Hello and thankyou for these fascinating photographs.  In the wild, geese must suffer with this occasionally and the blunt reality is that they will either heal or starve - and in the process fall prey to larger animals.  However, as a pet, more can be done and a welfare friendly way forward would be to have your vet look at it. Pain relief is important; obvious impediments to recovery would be noticed and addressed; your vet can also look up (if necessary) and advise on assisted feeding.  It looks to me as though stablisation may be an immediate concern; like any fraacture, this beak must hurt every time it moves.  I wonder whether your nearest expert will do a video call?
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Liz Buchanan BVSc MRCVS
Keymaster
November 19, 2025 at 11:35am
However, failing that, your local vet ought to be able to provide pain relief and other emergency first aid.
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Liz Buchanan BVSc MRCVS
Keymaster
November 19, 2025 at 11:37am
My other concern especially if you have more than one goose, is what has caused the beak to break?  Frequently, there are underlying illnesses or nutritional factors and these must be addressed.
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