- Jan 8, 2014
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Treating "Crookneck" by Alan Stanford
Permission to share this is granted as long as you give credit to the Author
Here is my theory and therapy for what some call "limber neck" and I call crookneck. The symptoms first show as a crook in the neck. It progresses to tucking the head, then tucking the head between the legs, then backing up, and tumbling over. It usually hits young birds but can happen at any age. It is unclear what causes crookneck. American Silkie Bantam Club members suggest water on the brain, vitamin E deficiency, and injury to the brain that is outside the skull and forms the knob on the top of Silkie's heads. The brain injury is the cause I feel fairly certain about. Water on the brain was seen in a necropsy of an affected bird. Prednisone was suggested as symptomatic relief. Vitamin E and B complex are both good for neurological disorders. Selenium helps absorb vitamin E. Here's what I do for affected birds. If started before symptoms get severe, the bird will totally recover. To give vitamin E - just cut the end off a human capsule and squirt it in the bird's mouth. It is important to be sure the bird gets enough to eat and drink while it has this problem. Birds with severe cases of crookneck can't eat and drink enough to survive. You will need to gently place their head in the feed dish and carefully dip just the tip of the beak in water. Be careful not to dip too far into the water and to not stress the bird while trying to help. The following is for an adult about 2 pound bird. Scale back for smaller birds. For the first week I give Twice a day 2.5 mg of prednisone 400 IU of vitamin E Once a day A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days) For the second week I give Once a day 2.5 mg of prednisone 400 IU of vitamin E A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Every other day Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days) For the following weeks I give Once a day 2.5 mg of prednisone 400 IU of vitamin E A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Every third day Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days) Do not abruptly stop prednisone, the swelling rebounds, decrease dose gradually. Vitamin E recovery can be slow; continue the vitamin E for several weeks at least.
Permission to share this is granted as long as you give credit to the Author
Here is my theory and therapy for what some call "limber neck" and I call crookneck. The symptoms first show as a crook in the neck. It progresses to tucking the head, then tucking the head between the legs, then backing up, and tumbling over. It usually hits young birds but can happen at any age. It is unclear what causes crookneck. American Silkie Bantam Club members suggest water on the brain, vitamin E deficiency, and injury to the brain that is outside the skull and forms the knob on the top of Silkie's heads. The brain injury is the cause I feel fairly certain about. Water on the brain was seen in a necropsy of an affected bird. Prednisone was suggested as symptomatic relief. Vitamin E and B complex are both good for neurological disorders. Selenium helps absorb vitamin E. Here's what I do for affected birds. If started before symptoms get severe, the bird will totally recover. To give vitamin E - just cut the end off a human capsule and squirt it in the bird's mouth. It is important to be sure the bird gets enough to eat and drink while it has this problem. Birds with severe cases of crookneck can't eat and drink enough to survive. You will need to gently place their head in the feed dish and carefully dip just the tip of the beak in water. Be careful not to dip too far into the water and to not stress the bird while trying to help. The following is for an adult about 2 pound bird. Scale back for smaller birds. For the first week I give Twice a day 2.5 mg of prednisone 400 IU of vitamin E Once a day A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days) For the second week I give Once a day 2.5 mg of prednisone 400 IU of vitamin E A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Every other day Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days) For the following weeks I give Once a day 2.5 mg of prednisone 400 IU of vitamin E A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Every third day Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days) Do not abruptly stop prednisone, the swelling rebounds, decrease dose gradually. Vitamin E recovery can be slow; continue the vitamin E for several weeks at least.
