Rooster having seizures?

[neophyte17]

I don't know if aspergillosis is routinely check ed for because it's not bacterial oor a virus.  It's a fungus.  

I will just have to wait and see how my rooster does on the baytril, diflucan and dmg seizure supplement. I will post an update in a week.

 

[Nambroth]

I can confirm that testing for aspergillosis is not part of a routine blood test; did they just do blood counts (CBC) or did they also do an advanced chem panel (ALT, Amylase, AST, BUN, Creat, Ca, Chol, CO2, CPK, GGT, Glu, LDH, Lipase, Phos, Potassium, Sodium, TP, Trig, Uric Acid)?

There is no definitive test for aspergillosis, but a culture is often taken to check for the fungus (taken from the respiratory tract). It, combined with other general testing, is used to come to a diagnosis.

An antibody test using a blood sample has also been developed, but it is not very accurate because it is 'too sensitive'.

 

[seminolewind]

Good info.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a pretty good article on aspergillosis which says that the fungus nodules can be seen in different parts of the body (lungs, air sacs, abodomen, and brain,) and that cultures can be taken from them: http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/indexhome.htm?secure/veterinary/Poultdis1.html~main

 

[Nambroth]

Here is a pretty good article on aspergillosis which says that the fungus nodules can be seen in different parts of the body (lungs, air sacs, abodomen, and brain,) and that cultures can be taken from them: http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/indexhome.htm?secure/veterinary/Poultdis1.html~main

Indeed, but usually requires a swab (respiratory tract) and elsewhere would need a tissue biopsy in order to properly examine. A biopsy is dangerous for living birds and is sort of a last resort for diagnosis purposes. Based on my understanding, diagnosing a living bird is a patchwork of very good guesses, unless a biopsy or culture is taken in conjunction with other medical findings. Sort of like Marek's, where we look at all the clues and medical findings, and often can make a very good guess when some lab testing is involved.
Diagnosis in a deceased bird via necropsy is considerably easier, as samples can be readily taken from the lungs, abdomen, etc.

 

[Eggcessive]

Indeed, but usually requires a swab (respiratory tract) and elsewhere would need a tissue biopsy in order to properly examine. A biopsy is dangerous for living birds and is sort of a last resort for diagnosis purposes. Based on my understanding, diagnosing a living bird is a patchwork of very good guesses, unless a biopsy or culture is taken in conjunction with other medical findings. Sort of like Marek's, where we look at all the clues and medical findings, and often can make a very good guess when some lab testing is involved.
Diagnosis in a deceased bird via necropsy is considerably easier, as samples can be readily taken from the lungs, abdomen, etc.

That's what I was thinking, that it would be difficult to do this on a live bird, unless an avian vet could perform a bronchoscopy. Most people aren't going to even try that, especially since there is not a lot of treatment that most could afford.

 

[neophyte17]

I am having trouble getting him Baytril. he starting to spit it out. how long should I give it to him in any suggestions and how to give it to him?
the vet said to give it to him for 21 days 2.8 cc. seems kind of excessive

 

[neophyte17]

by the way thank you all for all your replies

 

[neophyte17]

Its been almost two weeks. He is still having seizures but not as often. I will have to keep him on the seizure vitamin supplement and the dmg for as long as he lives. The baytril I am thinking of stopping. I think to give it to him for 21 days like the vet prescribed is too much and I see no positive effect on him. Plus he hates taking it

 

[neophyte17]

Seizure medicine or supplement no longer seems to work. His seizures are stronger and more frequent. He also seemed to develop an upper respiratory problem in his weakened condition. I gave him tylan 50, 3 days of shots in the chest, 2 days orally. Didn't help at all. He eats very little. I have been giving him nutri drench alternating with polyvisol. As treats I give him papaya, hot dogs, eggs and fresh corn. Everyday I wake up wondering if he made it through the night. He sleeps on the couch nextto my bedroom.I check on him when I wake up in the middle of the night. He just doesn't want to give up. Out of ideas of what else I can try.