chick with paralyized leg walking

brahmamamamak

Crowing
14 Years
Apr 30, 2010
146
239
281
Connecticut
On July 6th I noticed that one of my 8 week old Blue Cochin chicks had a limp. I had been in the process of introducing them to my 10 week old Light Brahmas and assumed that she had some how injured the leg and I kept her and her flock mates separated from the bigger chicks.

To my horror she got worse each day to the point of having no apparent feeling in her left leg. When she tried to move it was as though the leg was stuck to the ground.

My daughter is a DVM working on her PHD in Pathology, examined her and confirmed no feeling in the leg. Of course the only way to find out what was actually wrong would be as far as I am concerned the unthinkable.

I decided to keep her with her flock mates and as long as she ate and drank I would wait and see. I did give antibiotic for 5 days and still giving vitamins in the water.

I noticed about 4 days ago she was on her good leg and shaking the left leg (almost like you do when your foot is asleep) then walked a few steps. After witnessing her do this a few times that day I picked her up and put my finger under her foot and to my amazment, she tighted her foot around my finger!

She is walking better and stronger with each passing day. Actually standing on the left leg in order to scratch her head with the right.

I wanted to post this ...... I hope it helps ...... I guess when your chickens are your pets you are more willing to wait and see, and sometimes it does pay off.
big_smile.png
 
Good news! It certainly does sound like it might have been muscular dystrophy due to vitamin deficiency. Three weeks does seem to the the average amount of time it takes to see improvement with vitamin therapy, too, so it looks very promising that your girl has a chance for full recovery. I'd be interested to know what you are using for vitamins and the dosage. Also, what antibiotic did you give?

Thanks for sharing. It's how we all learn.
 
Quote:
Also curious! I had this happen once too, we ended up putting her down since no one knew what was wrong.
 
I wouldn't be suprised if they get a little blood clot now and then that blocks some of the blood flow to the leg.
 

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