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

[Pyxis]

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...I know Trousers is the best roo you ever had and I hope he makes it. Also, I may be able to offer a little advice. I had a drake in my house for a month that had been attacked by a mink and had so much skin stolen from the back of his head that when the wound scabbed over, he couldn't move. I was tube feeding him for the whole month. The vet had me use just regular layer feed, mixed in a blender with poultry vitamins and corn syrup, to give him energy and get his sugar up. At the end (he didn't make it) he got wobbly and floppy just as you describe Trousers doing, and it was because, even with the tube feeding, he wasn't getting enough nutrients since he wouldn't eat on his own, even after he could hold his head staright. I'm wondering if Trousers' wobbling is caused by lack of nutrients just like it was in my drake?

I really understand what you're going through. Crackers was my best drake, gentle with the ducks, sweet with the ducklings, and I was heartbroken to lose him. I hope you don't have to go through the same thing. Hang in there

 

[NovaAman]

I just got home from work, and this is the first thread I checked...

I am pulling for Trousers. Love Trousers.

 

[Nambroth]

It is so, so reassuring that so many of you are on this rollercoaster with me.

Trousers' comb is now a healthy red again, and he is alert and looking around. This is much better than a few hours ago when I feared he was going to die right then (his comb got very purple and he became non-responsive for a short time). He gets excited when I show him the treat bucket, but just won't attempt to eat. He's still gaping to breathe. He continues to pass watery poos that otherwise look healthy and they are starting to smell normal again. Still absolutely no motor control in his legs, though. None. He can move them but not under his own will. I can tell this is either frustrating or upsetting to him-- whatever the chicken equivalent, he can tell it's not right.

I burped an air bubble out of his crop earlier, and still felt a few seeds from yesterday in there. So I gently massaged to help things keep moving. I try not to do this too often because of his incision and surgery site, it is obviously painful for him because he always drops his head and closes his eyes when I touch it.

Stress seemed to trigger the purple comb incident, and so I will consult with my vet a bit later to see if she thinks tube feeding would help or hurt him. Still waiting on pathology (though I'm surprised it is taking less than a week to be honest, people don't even get their results that fast!). I called earlier but she was busy doing surgery on a cockatoo, bless him.

 

[CinnamonQueen]

Yay! Trousers is hanging in there! What an awesome vet you've got Nambroth. I'm really sorry that you have to see your amazing roo go through this.
GO TROUSERS! GET WELL SOON!

 

[PhipN FarmGirl]

The first thing we did this morning was check this thread and second was to pray for Trousers. Thinking of you all!

 

[warmheart]

What an amazing person you are for doing all that you have for your sweet, special handsome boy. I so admire you.

I just wish that I could make this easier on you. I know how stressful it is when our feathered darlings are unwell and we fear for their wellbeing.

Hoping that your vet rings you when he is able to next, to offer some insights and guidance. I am still pulling for this to be med-related, and that Trousers will emerge from this strong and well. I continue to send positive, healing vibes to Trousers!

 

[Nambroth]

I talked to my vet, Dr. Wade (who is a nice lady! We have a lot in common. She draws, too!) about his purple comb episode earlier and she suggested that it sounds like he went into a pulmonary distress and I probably resuscitated him somewhat. Thank goodness. She agreed that tube feeding would be good, but was very concerned about me doing it. If you are not experienced, it would be all too easy to aspirate into the lungs and then you can either have pneumonia or death. Fortunately I am experienced, having hand fed parrots, and tube-fed doves before. She said if I felt confident to go ahead, but not to give him more than 20ml every few hours for now since he hasn't had food in a while and we still aren't sure what is ailing him. We got some sterile soft medical tubing and a large syringe and I was able to get 20ml of broth/powdered feed into him with my husband's kind help. We also started giving him his painkiller again, since he has not improved the vet felt that it was unlikely to be the culprit for his current distress. Hopefully it will help him as it is also an anti-inflammatory and perhaps his airways are inflamed from the breathing tube that was part of his surgery on Tuesday.

My husband is home from work now and is sitting with him while I try to get some work done for the first time all week. It's sweet to see how much he cares for that gentle roo.

 

[NovaAman]

I am happy that he's better, even if a little!

I am definitely Team Trousers!

 

[shadow rabbit10]

I'm sure you know this, but just as a reminder, don't let anything that has come in contact with Trousers touch your other hens!

 

[Nambroth]

I'm sure you know this, but just as a reminder, don't let anything that has come in contact with Trousers touch your other hens!

Of course. Though, he had been with them for months all the way as recently as Sunday, so if it is a communicable disease, they are probably the carriers.