Kupa has pneumonia and is gravely ill. He is now gasping for air. His breathing is noisy. Dark tongue and dark nostrils, both of which should be pink. He is not getting enough oxygen. And I did not see him eat yesterday so we went to my vet in the afternoon.
After we visited the vet, where he had samples taken and swabs taken and spent most of the period swaddled in a towel in my arms, with me calling his call to him softly ‘ Neil-Neil, Neil-Neil. ‘ Kupa was still with shock, so we decided to bring him inside and put his box on the heated bathroom floor in the Coupe. Shock needs quiet and warmth and a cup of tea. Though I had the cup of tea. I am deeply against bringing wild animals inside but pneumonia needs warmth and humidity. Not dry, cold and dusty like the chook house and I can give him his medications for the next 24 hours without traumatising him by catching him each time. He can stay still and quiet. And I can make sure he eats and drinks. I have put two dog crates together so he can stretch out his tail.
But it is a catch 22. Birds, even robust birds like peacocks, are fragile really. A visit to the vet and a period in the house fill the bird with fear so are risky at best. But I should have taken him to the vet weeks ago. He has a great desire to survive to have lasted this long I think. At least there is no sign of worms at all.
Hopefully the antibiotics will clear up the ecoli lining his throat. But I may have left it too late. He is unchanged this morning.
I bet he wishes he was flying South for the winter. I have made him up a tonic of honey, fenugreek, (which promotes appetite in fowls) garlic and cider vinegar mixed with a lot of water. He has some in a bowl next to his clear water. And I shall also feed him drops of this when I can. He has four days of antibiotics ahead of him, injected into his breast. If he survives the next few nights he may survive the winter. But he will be living in the warm chook house with the chickens for the winter. No more free ranging with the others.
Today I will bring in a bigger cage and stand it upright in the basement so he can roost. Last night was pretty cramped for the poor fella, but he was warm and quiet.
In recovery mode, I hope. Nursing a bird is very different from nursing a sheep.
Have a lovely day.
your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
79 responses to “a peacock in the bathroom”
So, so sorry to hear Kupa has pneumonia! Am sending positive, healing energies to the beautiful bird. xo
thank you di. c
Oh dear poor kupa. I wondered if it was something respitory when you described his symptoms now I wish I had spoken up. 😦
He got worse pretty fast, so lets hope he can get better just as fast.. we will see.. the cold did not help..c
My best wishes goes to the welfare of your special farm!
Celi, I am so sorry to read about Kupa’s illness. With your loving care, he will have his best chance. I will hold him, you, and all the Farmy in my hopeful thoughts today. Thank you for the wonderful shot of the Great V winging South. It lifts my spirits. Judith in Asheville
The geese are in full flight now, barking and calling on their way south, they really are wonderful to watch.. and hear.. c
Oh, poor Kupa. You’ve been hit so hard this winter, Celi, with all sorts of animal ailments. I feel for you. It must be very stressful to see them suffer. My best wishes you to all for hanging in there…
Oh poor dear Kupa, I cry my tears for you, I shall pray that God will help you to get better… I will tell Him your name and He will know just where you are. Please do get better!
miss c ..you are a great carer, you give your all and do what is best for your animals and now you are caring for Kupa. I know that God is helping you so have faith and plod on…..
Oh I feel sick with worry. So sorry I said previously that I thought it was seasonal because ours are very quiet in winter – crossing my fingers Celixxxx
Don’t worry julie, i said to john that sometimes these animals are bred to sell at fairs, not necessarily to breed a strong bird, he has a weakness in his chest.. I just hope we can get him better enough to go back outside with him mates, he must be in distress being ministered to in a bathroom.. c
Oh Celi, another sick child to look after… I’m so sorry to hear he’s now really sick. It’s a blessing your tail is on the mend, because otherwise you wouldn’t be in a position to care for your poor ailing beasts. Winter is hard on outside animals; he may do better with the chooks.
Oh Dear, hoping he pulls through. Laura
Lost for words, as usual, when confronted with your extraordinary problems. Hope Kupa pulls through and that you are getting better yourself.
Poor birdie! I think he needs a knitted jumper. 🙂
I am so sorry to hear that… I just know that with your care he has the best possible chance of beating this illness…
I am thinking of you, and hoping for a full recovery…
prayers of healing, sent on the jetstream, sent farmward….
prayers of healing, sent on the jetstreams, sent farmward….
OH boy it never rains but it pours as my Mum would say! Poor Kupa, I am sure he is wondering what the heck is going on – all these ‘new changes’ happening around him and whilst he is feeling so poorly! Trouble is if you are like me, although you know they need quiet and peace, you can’t stop checking in on them! I wonder if an eucalyptus humidifier or something like that would help his breathing? Used to work wonders for my kids when they had colds and couldn’t breathe through their noses. Lots of positive hugs being sent!