Bird falling over

[Anny]

HELP

I called my vet and the bird dr. wont be in tell later today, so I need some help in the mean time or at least a little piece of mind knowing what could be wrong.

I have a hen who this morning when I went out to the coop, she was laying on her side, feet in the air not moving! When she heard me she started kicking her feet and trying to stand up. I helped her up and she just fell over. Her feet seem fine and seem to be working right, her rings look tensed up but don't look broken. I have no idea what could be wrong with her. Her eyes look clean and bright and her head is moving around like nothing is wrong. But she just keeps falling over and always to her left right. Anyone have any idea what could possibly be wrong with her?

I could not find any wounds or cuts or anything anywhere on her body.
The other hens didn't seem to be bothering her when I went in, she where all on the other side of the coop from her.

We don't know how old his hen is, as she was the hen that just "appeared" in our coop one day. My partner thinks she is just old and dieing but I'm not so sure. She is at least older then 2 yrs old. She is an Easter Egger.
edit for spelling errors

 

[flamingauburnmustang]

I'm sorry to hear about that...

Have you looked for any fractures or broken bones? Someone maybe tread on her? Is she eating well?

I can't see that it would be age. 2 years old is young.

Please let us know what happens.

 

[Anny]

Took her in to the vet, and he believe she either had a stroke or had some major head trauma. He believes the damage is all neurological, and it will either start to get better in the next couple of days...or not get better at all. We shall see.

He was very surprised by the fact that she didn't have a head tilt at all.

 

[katrinag]

Most of the time it does not get better. But you never know. Best of luck.

 

[Anny]

Thanks.
I don't have high hopes for it getting better sadly. This poor chicken most have had some kind of life before it found it's way into our coop.

(some one just left it on our coop.)

 

[hinkjc]

Did the vet offer any supportive treatment for her injury (prednisone, vitamins)? Here is a link that may be helpful. Silkies are very prone to head injuries and there is a chance for survival if treatment is used. Use the link called "Crookneck" on the left for more info.

http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article.html

 

[sammi]

the treatment in the link Hinkjc posted and vitamins might help her..
wouldn't hurt..
call the vet and give/fax the info,..if you need the med suggested.

don't forget to check her crop and make sure she's been eating,.and the crop is working is emptying properly.
hope she's able to eat and drink on her own..

fingers crossed for the hen..

 

[Anny]

Thanks guys. The link was very useful. I'll show it to my vet today.

 

[dlhunicorn]

did your vet rehydrate at all?
Make sure she gets sufficient water to drink >dehydration will kill your bird quicker than the original ailment.
What I am wondering is that if this was a bird that wandered into your coop from elsewhere ... seeing that you are in michigan (COLD) I am wondering if she might have have salt toxicosis (salt being strewn for icy roads and such) ... ask your vet if anything can be done for that > be sure to discuss with him before adding electrolytes to the waterer... she might need a particular rehydration measure when salt toxicosis is suspected.

 

[Anny]

She didn't really "wonder" into my coop. I live in Detroit. The city. My coop run is completely closed in, a dog fence pen. Some one put her in my coop. She appeared in the coop a few months ago, before it started snowing.

He said she wasn't dehydrated at all, and she is eating and drinking wonderfully on her own.

She just can't get up. I have her in her own cage inside the coop so she can be with the others but has her own food and water so she doesn't have to fight for it.