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- #11
- Jul 24, 2013
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Another update:
Well, some good and bad news, and some possibly-soon-to-be bad news. Cockerel #2 has not improved at all, and remains hobbled on his hocks. He eats and drinks great, but I'm almost positive that he has Marek's and will probably find a way to cull him soon. Cockerel #1 has improved greatly, at least with his injured leg. It is now almost completely as strong as the non-injured leg; he can walk fine, jump a little, and could (he doesn't want to, I'm not sure why) roost, I think, if he chose to do so. He has also gained back the lost weight. However, there appears to be something else wrong with him: he has breathing difficult. Especially after he exerts himself, even slightly, he breathes heavily and acts rather lethargic. Today in particular, he's standing in a corner, eyes closed, and breathing heavily.
There is no discharge from his nostrils, but he does sneeze occasionally (though he may just be doing that because he's been eating wet food). The breathing difficulty has been going on, at varying severity, even before I brought him inside. I assumed it was because he was weakened from not eating and being cold, and expected that with good care it would get better. But now I'm not so sure. I don't want him to suffer. Could it be a mild (for now) secondary infection from him being "bedridden" for so long? Should I try antibiotics? I'm also going to worm him, as he hasn't been wormed in about 6 months. I really hope this problem can be cleared up; it would be disappointing to have him come so far with his leg only to have to be culled because he can't breathe properly.
Well, some good and bad news, and some possibly-soon-to-be bad news. Cockerel #2 has not improved at all, and remains hobbled on his hocks. He eats and drinks great, but I'm almost positive that he has Marek's and will probably find a way to cull him soon. Cockerel #1 has improved greatly, at least with his injured leg. It is now almost completely as strong as the non-injured leg; he can walk fine, jump a little, and could (he doesn't want to, I'm not sure why) roost, I think, if he chose to do so. He has also gained back the lost weight. However, there appears to be something else wrong with him: he has breathing difficult. Especially after he exerts himself, even slightly, he breathes heavily and acts rather lethargic. Today in particular, he's standing in a corner, eyes closed, and breathing heavily.
There is no discharge from his nostrils, but he does sneeze occasionally (though he may just be doing that because he's been eating wet food). The breathing difficulty has been going on, at varying severity, even before I brought him inside. I assumed it was because he was weakened from not eating and being cold, and expected that with good care it would get better. But now I'm not so sure. I don't want him to suffer. Could it be a mild (for now) secondary infection from him being "bedridden" for so long? Should I try antibiotics? I'm also going to worm him, as he hasn't been wormed in about 6 months. I really hope this problem can be cleared up; it would be disappointing to have him come so far with his leg only to have to be culled because he can't breathe properly.
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