Very Sick 6 y/o Rooster

[Vgcmd1962]

Help me please. He was fine until 8 days ago when he suddenly just wanted to lay down and exhibited weak legs. The following day developed crop stasis. Took him to an Avian vet and X-rays revealed illuminating foreign objects and he gave me IM and oral chelation therapy. Despite 2 days of IM chelation he worsened. Got weaker and developed dark yellow urates. Took him back and vet decided to surgically remove the foreign objects. Never obtained zinc or lead levels. He stayed 4 nights at his clinic. Vet believes the yellow stools are signs of liver failure and gave me lactulose and an anemia supplement because he’s very anemic. Well he’s home and is very sick. Can barely stand and walk. Takes a few steps then falls. When he sits opens his wings and has open beak breathing. Vet did not recommend to resume chelation therapy. Last night I decided to resume. It is oral. Can this be liver failure? He never got any blood tests. Can this be Marek’s? Any ideas what this could be?

 

[azygous]

Your vet should have informed you as to what the "foreign objects" are. Metal? If so, what metal? Galvanized metal has lead in it. Your roo is likely suffering from lead poisoning, and your vet likely has the mind set that it's just a chicken, so no biggie if he dies.

Continue the chelation. If you run out of it, make the vet give you more. In addition, give this fellow one cup of water with one teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt and baking soda mixed in. Dip his beak a few times to get him drinking it. This will help his poor failing organs a little bit.

Is he eating at all? You may need to tube feed. You can get a tubing kit from the vet. I can instruct you how to do it.