Dying Rooster! help!

[Cherokeerainbow]

I've checked Tony's body over for anything out of the ordinary...nada
He is approx 7 months old (normally pretty clumsy because of his big feet)

I noticed his mood yesterday when he wouldn't eat a piece of bread. I tried a grape and he ate half...dropped the other piece and didn't care! He's NUTS about grapes! I've been at work all day, and the Vet is closed, and 2 hours away.
Here's what I know and what I've done so far.

First, I let him free range monday while cleaning out his coop. He stayed right around the barn and there is nothing toxic there.
Second, his poop is somewhat clear and watery. (no poop today?) He's very lethargic (not much energy) sleeps alot and seems disorientated/wobbly. He's very weak!
Third, I gave him some Vita-pak (electrolites and vitamins for poultry) Via his waterer and via dropper. Also some tetracycline. And a dropper (3 ml) mixed with the vitamin water, beaten egg (for protein), oatmeal, mash and banana.
(Yes, I sat him in my lap and fed him)
I waited a few hours and gave him some more vita water...he got up on his perch yesterday all by himself and promptly snuggled down and fell asleep.
Today, he seems so much weaker...I put a heat lamp in the coop too and he stayed right there...I found him laying on the waterer just pecking at it, but not drinking...I gave him more vita-water ect (he was fighting me a bit this time) But, he is so weak... I brought him in our spare bedroom now so I can give him a bit of water and food every few hours... HELP?
The rest of the flock is fine!
Any ideas? Suggestions?
OMG...I'm so worried, he's the best buddy ever too....

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

I hope someone has some ideas for you. Sounds very scary

 

[whatknott]

have you wormed him? I had a very weak turkey last year and started perking up after I used ivermectin on him.

 

[whenchickensdream]

I'm so sorry, wish I could help.

 

[Cherokeerainbow]

I was just reading another thread...my Roo did drink out of a puddle in front of the barn (so did the hen, she's fine)
And I can't say for sure if he didn't get into anything moldy, as he was out in the yard.
So, I'm leaning toward Botulism....(I did find feathers...he's losing them)
I just gave him 10cc of epsom salt and 12 ml plain water...
I don't have any molassas on hand...
He did stand up after the epsom salt......gave me the hairy eyeball and flopped back down again. (I'm guessing its prettty gross stuff)
Meanwhile I'll keep giving him the vita-pack (electrolites) till morning.

 

[Cherokeerainbow]

oh.....no I haven't wormed him. I've only had him since June and I didn't think he was old enough yet???
Not sure if I should now if he's so weak??

 

[whatknott]

if he's 7 months, he's old enough to be wormed...it sounds like you don't have much to lose at this point - I personally would worm him.

 

[purpletree23]

After the flush make sure he get vitamins and electrolyte water. You have to flush out the salt. Dribble it on his beak so he can swallow it and not breath it into his lungs. Keep after him and make soft foods such as scrambled eggs and yogurt to get the beneficial bacteria back into his system.

Worming would be too much of a stress right now. Give him a couple of days to get back on his feet.

 

[Cherokeerainbow]

I mixed the salts with water and administered via dropper. How often does he need this? just once?
I've given him plain water and a electrolite mix too off and on. (I let him rest in between) I'm still using the dropper as he won't drink. Hubby has gone to store for yogurt...

 

[kathyinmo]

The epsom salts is a "flush," and should be done in a 4 hour time period. I did it about 4 times (10 cc each time). After that, no more. This is equivalent to a human having a stomach pumped. He will need vitamins, PolyViSol infant drops work well, 4 drops daily for a week, then every other day for another week. Yeah, on the yogurt; about a tablespoon full. Mix it with something he will eat ... boil some eggs, mash the yolk (he will love that), add a tsp of applesauce, maybe try oatmeal (cooked). If he will eat, mix in some of his Layena pellets. What ever you can get down him will help.

Are you sure he is losing feathers? When you tug just a bit, do they fall out? Keep him away from the others, and keep the lost feathers away also. Clean up his poo, so noone else gets into it. When you do chores, do his last, so as not to take his illness to them.

Good luck!