Roo w/ Slime in Mouth Day After Bad Roo Fight

[Knucker Hatch Farms]

Hi All,

Can't believe I'm back on this board again dealing with another set of injuries! My absolute favorite roo got in a rotten fight with another roo of ours.

He's not a fighter even though he's huge. When I realized what had happened it was clear he had already had enough of it all ready. His face and comb were messed up, but nothing too extreme. I brought him indoors for awhile to check him out and while a bit traumatized, I did witness him eat a bit. I put him back out in the coop, but today, he never left the highest roost all day. Something just didn't seem right - more than a sulking you know? I finally pulled him off the roost, and brought him back inside. I have noticed he has what I can only call "the smell of death" around his head, and an odd slimy goo that clings to the inside of the top and bottom of his beak. I had a hard time finding his tongue as well. It's almost translucent, is that normal? (I've never looked down a rooster's throat this closely.)

I gave him some water by syringe to try and clear the goo, but the goo just keeps coming back. Anyone have any idea what that goo is? He is not eating or drinking on his own today.

Any thoughts would be so helpful.

Warm Regards,

Mama Knucker Hatch

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Oh, poor guy! I'm sorry I can't help much, but I'll bump this for you anyway. Could it be as a result of dehydration? I know dehydration can cause stringy mucus in the mouth... I hope he pulls through, I'll be thinking good thoughts for him!

Keep him warm, and if he has pale gums, maybe try to massage him to restore circulation. You really want to try and prevent him from going into shock, if he's not in shock already, as shock is hard to deal with.

 

[Knucker Hatch Farms]

Your info is VERY helpful Silver Phoenix! I didn't realize that dehydration produced similar symptoms of stringy junk. It is very possible that he is dehydrated. He's such a big feathery boy, and was absolutely exhausted after the fight yesterday. I'll keep him indoors tomorrow and make sure he's drinking or hydrate with syringe. Thanks for the tip!

Mama Knucker Hatch

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Not a problem--I'm glad that helped, and I hope it is just dehydration causing that! Just be careful with the syringe, make sure you don't get water into his lungs. (You'll be able to tell he got water in his lungs if you hold him up to you and hear clicking in his lungs when he breathes. If that's the case, he'll need to go on antibiotics to help prevent infection in the lungs from the water.) I hope he recovers for you!