Sick peachick, need help...

[irisshiller]

Hi, I suspected I'd be back again begging for more pea-advice, and here I am... :/

I got 3 peachicks a few weeks ago, that are about 2-3 months old. They were fine until now, perky and inquisitive, but today I noticed one of them sitting in a corner. I went to pick him up and saw that both his eyes were shut and he couldn't open them. I took him home and washed his eyes with chamomile tea. They opened, but the chick still seems sick. He looks weak and droopy and sleeps all the time. I called the vet for advice and he said to give him Baytril, that I already had for the rabbits. I did that and also gave him some ivermectin that I got for worming.

The chick is not eating or drinking. I give him some water with a syringe now and then. He does poo and it looks fine, like the normal poo in the poo thread. Any idea what it could be and what I could do to help him...? Really worried and don't want to lose him!

Thanks, Iris.

 

[Peafowlssssssss]

I'm not an expert at all, but i had some peachicks in the past looking just like your chick, one of them wasn't able to open his eyes and his beak was so weak, I believed it was lack of vitamins, i know he wasn't sick and his poo was normal. I read about lack of vitamins and how it will affect the chicks growth until they stop eating at all. I'm not telling you that your chick has the same problem, its just what happened to me.

This an article about Vitamin Deficiencies in Poultry:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html

 

[irisshiller]

Thank you, that's interesting... so I understand it's a vitamin A deficiency which causes the eye problems? What did you do in your case, how did you supplement the vitamins?

I've also noticed that he has strange bumps on his legs and toes. It doesn't look like mites or wounds, just like irregular growths or something. Maybe that has something to do with it.

Also, now that I'm watching him all the time I notice that he has some clear discharge from his nose - he keeps shaking his head and breathing through his mouth. If it's a respiratory infection, hopefully the Baytril will clear it up... I am dealing with a pasteurella outbreak in my rabbits at the moment. I wonder if this bacteria could be causing problems in the birds as well..?

 

[Peafowlssssssss]

Hmm, yours doesn't sound like vitamin problem, it could be infection or something, vitamins can be added in the water, but mine died cause it was too late.

 

[irisshiller]

Oh that's really sad... Mine is still alive but seems very weak and wondering if he will make it through the night... I agree that it's most likely a respiratory infection, but it's good to know about the vitamin thing. Bet you always give them extra now!

I'm having a hard time right now with animal health! Apart from the rabbit situation, the peachicks came with 3 silkies from the same place and 2 of those silkies have already died - of what I have no idea, just found them dead It looks like they might have been infected with something already. Good job they are still separate from the rest... Just hope those peas and the last silkie will survive!!

 

[casportpony]

If the Baytril is going to work, you should see improvement in 24 hours. Can you get a catheter from your vet to tube feed water and food?

-Kathy

 

[irisshiller]

Ok, well then hopefully tomorrow morning he should look better... Not sure about the catheter, I've never done anything like that so he'd have to, and it's a religious holiday night here now so pretty sure he's not working. Can the bird survive not eating for a day? I can get water into him, but not food...

 

[casportpony]

Ok, well then hopefully tomorrow morning he should look better... Not sure about the catheter, I've never done anything like that so he'd have to, and it's a religious holiday night here now so pretty sure he's not working. Can the bird survive not eating for a day? I can get water into him, but not food...

Water is more important.

-Kathy

 

[irisshiller]

Ok. Thanks! Fingers crossed...

 

[thndrdancr]

Have you also treated for coccidiosis?
All new birds get treated here for it. I think you have other stuff going on but might have cocci they are fighting as well. If you have Corid/ Aprolium go ahead and dose them immediately, even the ones that don't look sick.
Or if you have Oregano oil on hand it will treat cocci and a few other things as well.
Most feed stores carry Corid but it's in the goat section usually, but you might have some on hand already for rabbits?