Heat stroke rooster

[Twohandloop]

Hello,
I am hoping I can get some help with the recovery of my poor rooster. Yesterday we had heat indexes of a hundred degrees. Are guinea fowl had flown over the high fence and got to the chickens running him all around the yard until he fell over and started seizing when we noticed him. We mediately took action to cool his body down and give him oral electrolytes. We brought him inside with hopes he would perk up overnight. This morning he is still breathing well but will not hold his head up and will drink electrolytes through an oral syringe. It being a holiday I cannot go purchase any more electrolytes and all we have is Pedialyte. How often should I be giving this to him or how much is too much? And how long could he stay down like this? Thank you all in advance.

 

[TSA]

Just let the chicken drink the pedialyte undiluted it will drink what it needs. In a pinch Gatorade can also be used. Here is a recipe for homemade electrolytes:

Homemade Electrolyte Solution
1/2 teaspoon salt substitute this is potassium
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 gallon water

 

[coach723]

It is very hard to say how long it will take or if he will fully recover. I lost one yesterday to heat stroke, it progresses quickly and damage to internal organs or the brain can happen. I would just continue to do what you are doing. Try to get him do take some fluid every 20 minutes or so, I usually alternate electrolites and plain fresh water, until he's drinking well on his own. I hope he recovers, all you can do is try. And keep him where it's cool, more heat will must make it worse. I unfortunately did not see mine in distress so could not intervene. Post is here if you are interested: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/cautionary-heat-story.1312606/

 

[Twohandloop]

Just let the chicken drink the pedialyte undiluted it will drink what it needs. In a pinch Gatorade can also be used. Here is a recipe for homemade electrolytes:

Homemade Electrolyte Solution
1/2 teaspoon salt substitute this is potassium
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 gallon water

Thank you for responding. Unfortunately He will not drink on his own at all we have to give him through a syringe at this point that's why I'm wondering how much of the electrolytes should I be giving him if he won't drink on his own?

 

[coach723]

Found this in an older post:

FLUID THERAPY
Oral Administration
Oral administration is the ideal method of giving fluids. This method is more commonly used in mildly dehydrated birds or in conjunction with subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV) therapy. Oral rehydration (30 ml/kg PO q 6-8 h) also may be used in larger birds (eg, waterfowl) that are difficult to restrain for parenteral fluid therapy.

"A sick or debilitated bird should always have its hydration corrected prior to attempting to initiate oral gavage-feeding"

oral gavage = tube feeding
30 ml/kg PO q 6-8 h = 30 ml fluid per kg of bird weight orally every 6 to 8 hours
parenteral = other than by mouth

Again, I would alternate the electrolites with fresh plain water. Giving orally I would only syringe .5 ml at a time and let him swallow, to help reduce the chance he will aspirate, so may take a bit of time. You could do smaller amount more often, so that you are getting the 30 ml/kg in him every 6 -8 hours total but spread out over the time.
You could also tube fluids.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/
In more dire cases you can give subcutaneous fluids also.
https://lafeber.com/vet/subcutaneous-fluids-in-birds/

 

[Twohandloop]

Thank you. IveI been giving a little bit less than this reccomendation so I will increase the amount. I cannot thank you guys enough for the information and education. I think I have the tools needed all I need now is time.

 

[Willowspirit]

Keep us posted!

 

[Twohandloop]

Update on our rooster. Unfortunately I do not have any good news. He passed mid day yesterday. After taking a round of electrolytes. He held his eyes open for a few moments. Let out a quiet crow and laid his head down. And that was it. Not the best way to end a holiday weekend. Thank you for those that helped. I now will keep a better eye on these guinea during these painfully hot days.

 

[Goldendog]

Update on our rooster. Unfortunately I do not have any good news. He passed mid day yesterday. After taking a round of electrolytes. He held his eyes open for a few moments. Let out a quiet crow and laid his head down. And that was it. Not the best way to end a holiday weekend. Thank you for those that helped. I now will keep a better eye on these guinea during these painfully hot days.

i am so sorry to hear that he passed

 

[Sequel]

I'm very sorry!