Eye problem, free range peacock

[MountainPea]

I definitely will keep y'all posted

 

[MountainPea]

Poor boy is worse now. We got home from hospital last night and I thought his condition was the same as before I left for hospital on Monday. Then in the middle of the night I discovered that he is not even roosting up high at night and he spent last night nestled in the bush right next to the house. We have foxes around here so he was lucky to not get eaten!
The vet was closed today but I'm calling first thing in the morning to get the vet I spoke to out for a house call.
Meanwhile I was able to catch him fairly easily as he is very weak from not eating, and it is just lucky that we restored the chicken coop to working order only a week ago, so I put him in there with water so that he's ready for when the vet gets here. The chicken coop is predator proof so he is now safe.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Oh no!

Well it is good news that you were able to make him safe and that you have the vet coming to see him.
Hope all goes well...

 

[MountainPea]

The vet has been so he is on antibiotics now. The vet forgot to bring the de-lousing powder but I'm going into town today so I'll get it from the clinic and will have to do it myself (wish me luck!). Fingers crossed this antibiotic is the right one.

 

[Birdrain92]

The vet has been so he is on antibiotics now. The vet forgot to bring the de-lousing powder but I'm going into town today so I'll get it from the clinic and will have to do it myself (wish me luck!). Fingers crossed this antibiotic is the right one.

Good luck! Sending healing vibes!

 

[MountainPea]

Thank you!

 

[MountainPea]

Ok, so after the vet had been the kids and I went to the shops, and when we got back I wasn't convinced that the peacock had even touched the water (which now has antibiotic in it). While we were out we dropped into the vet and got the de-lousing powder and then went and bought layer pellets a recommended by the vet. We put the pellets in the existing feeder in the chicken coop and had also filled a plastic container with a poultry grain mix.

My 8 year old son did a great job of helping me hold him while I distributed the powder as best I could. Seeing the vet handle him earlier had given me the confidence to do it myself and I was happy with how that went. The peacock was remarkably calm, I was so proud of him for keeping still (did occasionally struggle but didn't seem too stressed).

Then, I drew up his medicated water into a plastic syringe and actually squirted the water directly into his mouth (had to be a bit firm with him as he wasn't so thrilled with that). In the end I got about 40ml into him (1.35oz??).

We went away for a while and came back to check on him, and I decided to give him more water and put more powder on. While we were right down with him and was patting him, he started eating the grain mix!!

Then by the time I left he was eating the layer pellets out of the feeder! I am so thrilled! This morning he was listless and not eating or drinking. He was eating the pellets with a lot of enthusiasm this evening, so I feel very hopeful and positive that maybe the antibiotics are starting to work! YAYYY!

 

[new 2 pfowl]

This sounds like very good news!

But, just a note: you need to be very careful about putting liquid into their mouth as they can aspirate liquid (into their lungs).
If you want to give the antibiotic to him orally, it would be a good idea to make sure it is going where it should:

Never in the opening in the center at the back of his tongue:



Be sure it goes only down the side of his tongue as shown here:



These images are courtesy of Hopkins Peafowl.
For more detailed information please see Craig Hopkins' article on oral dosing: http://www.hopkinslivestock.com/oral_dosing_article.htm

 

[MountainPea]

Thanks for the tip (and photos)! I am hoping that once he gets his strength up he will drink by himself. I was just worried today that he wasn't even trying so I felt compelled to help until such time as he can drink himself. The way he was eating the pellets was such a relief and extremely encouraging. The vet recommended I keep him in the chicken coop for at least a week, which I planned on doing anyway. I won't let him out until I'm confident he has the strength to fly up off the ground to roost. Here's a photo of his temporary bachelor pad:

 

[Vitoria]

Thanks for the tip (and photos)! I am hoping that once he gets his strength up he will drink by himself. I was just worried today that he wasn't even trying so I felt compelled to help until such time as he can drink himself. The way he was eating the pellets was such a relief and extremely encouraging. The vet recommended I keep him in the chicken coop for at least a week, which I planned on doing anyway. I won't let him out until I'm confident he has the strength to fly up off the ground to roost. Here's a photo of his temporary bachelor pad:

Good to hear he's recovering. May he be alright again and soon!

Can i ask which antibiotic your vet prescribed?