Rooster with mass in neck, possible tumor, thymus response -- Marek's

[pdx2phx]

He is currently resting, about the same as earlier. Can't use his legs/has no motor control in them. He does not have the typical "one leg forward one leg back" stance of Marek's but I know that hardly rules it out. He is sitting mostly on his tibia, meaning most of the weight is at his ankle, and none on his feet. When I try to gently rock him forward on his feet he flails and ends up on his side or back, looking miserable. Poor guy. So I let him sit however is most comfortable. Later tonight I will gently work his legs, just to make sure that blood flow is good.

No matter which of the possibilities are wrong right now, I'm sad to say that there isn't much to be done for him other that give him supportive care. He seems comfortable, is alert and watching everything happen, and picks at his food occasionally. I got another 30ml of water into him a few minutes ago.

He has been passing sparse but normal poops, though they are watery. The poos smell very 'medicinal', I wish that I knew what I was smelling. They are not a normal chicken poop odor. I described the odor as "smells like an ICU." I wonder if he is still passing medication?

I am trying not to lose hope, and trying not to get my hopes up, all in one go. It is hard because we are attached to him. I hate to think that he's suffering in any way, but he does seem calm and at ease.
Thank you for reading and dealing with this along with me. I most sincerely hope that it has a happy resolution and that it can help future chicken owners.

In addition to propping him up and massage, you might also want to try a sling -

When we had one of ours go completely lame, we took an old t-shirt, cut holes for legs and poop, and suspended the t-shirt using clips from the edges of a laundry basket. We would put our lame girl in the sling for a half hour or so at a time, in the basket, there so that her legs could straighten out for a bit, but the sling held her weight. (She eventually fully recovered-I think it was a pinched nerve or neurological issue. It took her almost 2 months of limping around before she was 100% again. She basically figured out how to get around on 1 leg, then the 'bum' leg started getting better.)

I know he's a bigger boy, so you might have a harder time improvising a frame/clip/sling contraption to hold his weight, but it might be a good supplement to all of the good stuff you're already doing.

Hang in there Trousers (and FudLady!)

 

[Nambroth]

In addition to propping him up and massage, you might also want to try a sling -

When we had one of ours go completely lame, we took an old t-shirt, cut holes for legs and poop, and suspended the t-shirt using clips from the edges of a laundry basket. We would put our lame girl in the sling for a half hour or so at a time, in the basket, there so that her legs could straighten out for a bit, but the sling held her weight. (She eventually fully recovered-I think it was a pinched nerve or neurological issue. It took her almost 2 months of limping around before she was 100% again. She basically figured out how to get around on 1 leg, then the 'bum' leg started getting better.)

I know he's a bigger boy, so you might have a harder time improvising a frame/clip/sling contraption to hold his weight, but it might be a good supplement to all of the good stuff you're already doing.

Hang in there Trousers (and FudLady!)

That is a great idea! I will hold off just for now-- because of his incision I think any sling I could make would put pressure on it-- but if he recovers and needs to do physical therapy for his legs that is a great idea.


General Update:
I just got about 40ml of liquid in him; I gave him some home-made turkey broth I made a few weeks back (frozen/thawed) mixed with a little water, just for any nutrients it could give him. I also tricked him with some sunflower seeds-- his favorite-- and put them on top of a dish of feed. He is not coordinated right now and so in an effort to get the seeds he was scooping up great mouthfuls of everything. Maybe 2 tablespoons worth? Not too bad. He just had two big poos and they looked more normal, though they still smell funny to me.

Soon we will head to bed and hopefully sleep will do him good. I don't know. I understand that anything can happen and my stomach is in knots. I'll have him beside the bed, but on the floor, so that I can assist him if he seems to be in distress at all during the night.

Goodnight all, I will update in the morning. Thank you for bearing with me.

 

[Nambroth]

Good morning. Sorry for not posting earlier, but it took me and Trousers a while to get situated and hydrated this morning.

Trousers (and I) were up much of the night. Every time he'd have to poo, he tried to stand up to do it properly, which sadly resulted in a big flopping disaster, poor guy. Even with my dresser on one side of him and towels in a soft but firm donut around his other sides, he's still got enough power in those legs to rocket him backward and he cannot fix himself after that. So every hour or so I was up, helping him back onto his keel to rest (easier said than done when you have a powerful rooster that cannot control himself), and petting him to calm him down.

Last night around bed time he started gaping when he inhaled. This is a fancy way of saying he was breathing through is beak instead of his nostrils. This is never a good sign s usually that means he's struggling to breathe. He's not overheated, I do keep checking that. His comb is still bright red though so he is getting enough oxygen.

He is still alert, but otherwise about the same as yesterday. Every few hours I lift him.. hate to, because it causes flopping, but I hold him by his keel and gently work his legs and massage them, just so they don't get stiff. His feet are warm and healthy, so he's getting good circulation.

No eating yet today. I am giving him a little bit of time because getting him downstairs and comfortable again was quite an event and I am not sure if his surgery site is hurting or not, since I dare not give him his pain killer medication (just in case it was what started this paralysis issue). If he does not eat by noon, I will have my husband help me tube him, as my husband comes home for a short lunch break.

We do have a borrowed stethoscope and I check his heart rate. I am not expert but it sounds like a normal sinus rhythm with no fluttering or marked speed changes.

I did talk to Dr. Wade this morning and she suggested that everything I'm doing sounds good, and nearly matches what they'd do there until they heard back on pathology to try and understand what is going on. She was going to call the pathology unit that she sent the mass to, to ask if they will expedite the biopsy on it. I asked if it would tell us if he has Marek's or not and she said that depending on the makeup of the mass, it can have markers for the virus, or not. It's a wait and see game now.

 

[canesisters]

Soo sorry you are having to go through this.
Best wishes for poor Trousers speedy recovery.

 

[warmheart]

Sending positive vibes for your sweet fellow Trousers. While I understand the bulk of the issue is not nutrition, could some of this formula help bring him renewed strength? It's given with an eye-dropper or plastic syringe. It has vitamins, and very much revived our near-dead rescue hen who was unable to drink or eat on her own, nor could she stand. It's mainly oats, vitamins, and beneficial fats, but the slurry provides good nutrition and hydration for a debilitated animal who's normally accustomed to eating all day long. Might this help give him some energy? If you think you'd wish to try this, it can be found at Petco for sure, and possibly Petsmart as well.

In any event, I continue to send good thoughts for Trousers. May this be still a glitch from the meds and anesthesia, as by his poop's odor he may be still ridding himself of the meds yet. Really hoping that he is able to regain strength and use of his legs very soon. You are doing an amazing job caring for Trousers. Bless you for being up with him all night, helping him. He knows how deeply loved he is. Hoping for good news for Trousers soon.

 

[Nambroth]

Thank you Warmheart. I do not have any pet stores nearby that carry handfeeding formula, sadly. The closest Petsmart is over an hour away and I don't have a car during the day (I'd also be scared to leave him for that long). The old batch that I had has since expired and been thrown away (I used to hand feed parrots). I will probably make a slurry of powdered feed and turkey broth later today.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you Warmheart. I do not have any pet stores nearby that carry handfeeding formula, sadly. The closest Petsmart is over an hour away and I don't have a car during the day (I'd also be scared to leave him for that long). The old batch that I had has since expired and been thrown away (I used to hand feed parrots). I will probably make a slurry of powdered feed and turkey broth later today.

You could also use human baby food or try crumble mixed with water/pedialyte.

 

[warmheart]

I'm just stopping by to let you know that I am sending Trousers more good thoughts and vibes for healing and recovery. You're doing such an amazing job with him. Yes, some pellets/crumbles dissolved in water would be about the same thing. Surely Trousers feels your love and caring. May he surprise you this afternoon by rallying and feeling much better. I'm continuing to keep Trousers in my best thoughts.

 

[Nambroth]

I made a handfeeding-formula consistency by mixing warm broth with powdered feed and pellets, and got some into his crop. His comb and wattles are very dark red and he is gaping worse now (was doing so before the food too). I have worked with birds for a few decades and I think he is going downhill. I am going to talk with the vet again just to be sure there isn't anything else I can do. His breathing is 'clean', no clicking or gurgling or rattles.

 

[casportpony]

I made a handfeeding-formula consistency by mixing warm broth with powdered feed and pellets, and got some into his crop. His comb and wattles are very dark red and he is gaping worse now (was doing so before the food too). I have worked with birds for a few decades and I think he is going downhill. I am going to talk with the vet again just to be sure there isn't anything else I can do. His breathing is 'clean', no clicking or gurgling or rattles.

I'm really sorry and so sad for you... As we both know, open mouth breathing is often a sign that the death process has started. I really hope we're wrong. :-(