Can a fly strike cause paralysis??

[Bumblewood]

My two year old chicken is recovering from a fly strike. I noticed her weakening over the last few months. Laying down a lot, loosing her belly feathers. Thought it could be brooding, or mites, or molting; but then she started having trouble walking. After an exam I discovered she was suffering from a fly strike. She is on day three of treatment, but still can’t walk well. She is eating and drinking. Could this paralysis be caused from nerve damage because of infestation ? Will she recover with time ?

 

[chickadoodles]

My two year old chicken is recovering from a fly strike. I noticed her weakening over the last few months. Laying down a lot, loosing her belly feathers. Thought it could be brooding, or mites, or molting; but then she started having trouble walking. After an exam I discovered she was suffering from a fly strike. She is on day three of treatment, but still can’t walk well. She is eating and drinking. Could this paralysis be caused from nerve damage because of infestation ? Will she recover with time ?

Here is a good article that may help you with understanding flies and fly strike. I hope this helps.

http://iagarb.com/articles-2/care-and-maintenance/flystrike/

 

[rebrascora]

The fly strike will most likely be a secondary issue. It usually happens when there is swelling of the abdomen and soiling of the butt feathers or prolapse. My guess would be that your girl is probably suffering from a reproductive ailment like Salpingitis (infection of the oviduct) which has resulted in a mass of infected egg material building up inside her and putting pressure on her sciatic nerves.
Can you post a photo of her back end?
Does her abdomen feel swollen? Cup you hand and feel between her legs and below her vent and then compare to a healthy bird. Is there any sign of a prolapse?
Are you able to ascertain when was the last time she laid an egg? I appreciate it is not always possible when you have more than one of the same breed in a flock.

 

[Chicken_Guru]

Interesting- but gross topic. I think eventually, the maggots can give you an infection, which could end up in paralysis. Most symptoms are big chest, pasty butt, and lathargicism (is that a word?) I’m not an expert on this subject, but hopefully she will recover.

 

[Bumblewood]

The fly strike will most likely be a secondary issue. It usually happens when there is swelling of the abdomen and soiling of the butt feathers or prolapse. My guess would be that your girl is probably suffering from a reproductive ailment like Salpingitis (infection of the oviduct) which has resulted in a mass of infected egg material building up inside her and putting pressure on her sciatic nerves.
Can you post a photo of her back end?
Does her abdomen feel swollen? Cup you hand and feel between her legs and below her vent and then compare to a healthy bird. Is there any sign of a prolapse?
Are you able to ascertain when was the last time she laid an egg? I appreciate it is not always possible when you have more than one of the same breed in a flock.

Ok..... but it look gross. It actually is healing quickly after the live infestation has been removed. This is her butt area with tail raised. Her foot is folded back weird due to paralysis.
I do think her belly looks swollen, it’s as if she can’t hold it up. When she lays she is rolling to the side or using the wall to prop herself up.
If it is an infected egg mass what do I do?

 

[Bumblewood]

The fly strike will most likely be a secondary issue. It usually happens when there is swelling of the abdomen and soiling of the butt feathers or prolapse. My guess would be that your girl is probably suffering from a reproductive ailment like Salpingitis (infection of the oviduct) which has resulted in a mass of infected egg material building up inside her and putting pressure on her sciatic nerves.
Can you post a photo of her back end?
Does her abdomen feel swollen? Cup you hand and feel between her legs and below her vent and then compare to a healthy bird. Is there any sign of a prolapse?
Are you able to ascertain when was the last time she laid an egg? I appreciate it is not always possible when you have more than one of the same breed in a flock.

Also, we think she could have layed Friday?

 

[Folly's place]

Almost always fly strike occurs secondary to some other major health issue. I think that's what's happening here too.
Mary

 

[Bumblewood]

She is having diarrhea also, yellow greenish color. She is eating and drinking water with electrolytes for me.

 

[rebrascora]

Her whole back end looks very distended. You have done a good job getting the fly strike under control but I don't think the prognosis is good as I am pretty sure there is an underlying issue. The damaged tissue looks very fatty. Birds that are carrying too much fat are more prone to reproductive malfunctions. It might be a good idea to reassess your flock's diet in case there is an imbalance and in particular if there is too much carbohydrate from the likes of scratch, corn bread etc.

How sure can you be that she laid an egg on Friday?

 

[Bumblewood]

When I went to work on Friday she was still in coop (pre diagnosis of fly strike) my concern was that she wasn’t walking. I was afraid we were going to have to put her down if she was suffering. But when we came home she had moved out to the yard and there was an egg in the spot? So 50/50??
Also..... Sunday night a predator broke into coop and killed one girl. I was also afraid that she had suffered a stroke from that trauma. I’m having issues with my girls this week