Sick Polish

[joleeblackberry]

I've read quite a bit on gapeworm, and I know about Cocci and respiratory infections... but I am still stumped. I have a 6 month old polish that is unable to stand. Yesterday, he stood and reluctantly and lethargically bore weight on his legs, but today he is restricted to just his side. He freaks out if I try and pick him up. He flops his leg and goes in circles. I can't really hear labored respirations... every now and then he makes a noise (maybe every 10 minutes? Or less?). He does snake his head a little bit... I am just not sure. I don't know if I can bear to look down his throat for gapeworm. He sort of has a lump on his back that I saw yesterday when he was sitting. His wings hang down (when he did stand yesterday), and he seems thin. He is old enough to crow but he hasn't... I am fairly certain he's a male.
No blood in stool. But today his poop smells pretty bad.
This is my first time for Polish, and we lost another in a manner similar to this but not as severe (it was right after she was mounted, and she couldn't catch a breath and she died in my arms). Is this genetic? Or is he sick? I am at a loss.

 

[Monkeybean415]

I'm so sorry to hear about your polish. We tried the breed for the first time this year too and our only one has had many problems. Sadly, I think a lot of it is genetic. Mine's wings droop down when she stands too but they've always done that. Her problems are a mystery to me but I've been suspecting something neurological. I hope you get some answers!