So the vet did not think she has Marek's (range paralysis)? What did he do to test for nerve damage, poke her with a needle? Anyway, sounds like you have set up everything to keep her in the best conditions for her to recover. Wish you good luck!
Chicken can't walk... took to the Vet **PICS**
- Thread starter Ellie
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- #22
The vet ran his finger nail down her leg and foot and her foot closed on and held his finger. My friend who is a nurse and who checked Em out, didn't do that, not realizing that it would work on a chicken. Now she knows. No, the vet didn't think Marek's. He thinks she should heal in time but that she was too thin so not in the best of health as he put it. It was my fault: I left her out in the doghouse in 15 and 20 degree weather not knowing that she couldn't regulate her body heat.
I just hope I have not compromised her by having her in the room with the heat. Just took her out of the cage and cleaned up the poop this morning... poor thing can't raise up well enough to finish the job so she needs a little help.
I cooked she and I some scrambled eggs this morning but it was in a Farberware aluminum pan, not tephlon. Whew! Glad to hear that tip for sure.
I just hope I have not compromised her by having her in the room with the heat. Just took her out of the cage and cleaned up the poop this morning... poor thing can't raise up well enough to finish the job so she needs a little help.
I cooked she and I some scrambled eggs this morning but it was in a Farberware aluminum pan, not tephlon. Whew! Glad to hear that tip for sure.
Unless you are letting lots of smoke into the room when you put a log into the woodstove, I doubt there would be alot of trouble for her lungs, Ellie. A fireplace would be very different. I heat with a soapstone stove here and there is no smoke or smell while the fire is blazing. The only time smoke comes into the room is when the door is opened while the fire is not burning well. Air quality is much better with a woodstove than a fireplace. My only problem would be if she gets used to being toasty warm and then is put back outside during winter before she gains weight, so it might be good to keep her in a cooler part of the house.
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- #24
I did think of her getting used to being warm. Well, my strategy is to keep her warm this three days while I am home. Then when I go back to work, I leave the house at 58 degrees. This would gradually bring her down 7-8 degrees. I do warm it up when I get home, but she will be in bed in the other room so she'll stay cool.
Our lows are usually in the 40's this time of year, so when she is well enough to go outside, she will then be down another 8-10 degrees. So, the hope is that it is gradual and that she thrives and gets well.
Today she flexed her leg out behind her which looks funky but she is finally moving it.
Our lows are usually in the 40's this time of year, so when she is well enough to go outside, she will then be down another 8-10 degrees. So, the hope is that it is gradual and that she thrives and gets well.
Today she flexed her leg out behind her which looks funky but she is finally moving it.
Movement is good!!! I think she just needs some time.
You got one lucky vet! And a cheap vet service too! A bargain nowadays.
The only vet in town that does chickens and aviary birds charges $65 dollars per visit. After that ching ching for meds. I took my Welsummer girl with a bad bumblefoot that was stubborn to heal, the total bill was $250. UGH! However this chicken is doing well and walked well too!
If she got used to being in the house, you would have to make adjustment to the temps as time goes on. Also the pecking order will be going on when she is back to her companions.
The only vet in town that does chickens and aviary birds charges $65 dollars per visit. After that ching ching for meds. I took my Welsummer girl with a bad bumblefoot that was stubborn to heal, the total bill was $250. UGH! However this chicken is doing well and walked well too!
If she got used to being in the house, you would have to make adjustment to the temps as time goes on. Also the pecking order will be going on when she is back to her companions.
sounds like you are doing a GREAT job! she's a beautiful hen. and your vet sounds thorough and cheap. hang on to that guy!!!
i am going to try that nerve test on my silkie, the state vet assistant took a look at her, said its not Mareks, but didnt do an actual nerve test on her. (hers may be an issue from a past hawk attack.) after seeing emily in the living room, i think i will bring rickie into the living room for some social time. i play classical radio, give her 15 minutes of gentle physical therapy on both legs and vitamins. we have been at this for several months, if she is not better in another, i think i will be building a prosthetic for her.
fyi, a vet here (who claims to treat chickens) charged $100 for a worm issue that i diagnosed myself. ($50 for an exam, $20 for fecal that i insisted on (and $30 for fenbendazole for my underweight hen+ 3 banties at home.))
but, i had to tell her the problem and - she thought the hen was quite healthy just underweight.
i am going to try that nerve test on my silkie, the state vet assistant took a look at her, said its not Mareks, but didnt do an actual nerve test on her. (hers may be an issue from a past hawk attack.) after seeing emily in the living room, i think i will bring rickie into the living room for some social time. i play classical radio, give her 15 minutes of gentle physical therapy on both legs and vitamins. we have been at this for several months, if she is not better in another, i think i will be building a prosthetic for her.
fyi, a vet here (who claims to treat chickens) charged $100 for a worm issue that i diagnosed myself. ($50 for an exam, $20 for fecal that i insisted on (and $30 for fenbendazole for my underweight hen+ 3 banties at home.))
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Get well soon Emily! I have nursed many sick chickens in my house. I have found that when they are healthy enough to have a short visit outside they really perk up. If there is no chance of them being infectious they might perk up even more if they can see their friends for a while. Of course this must be supervised to make sure they don't get picked on. Or you could put her cage outside for a while. I think it speeds the healing process if you can give them a little time outside in nice weather. Good luck.
She is beautiful ad well cared for. Great that you found a vet to work with!! Hope she will recover quickly, fatten up a bit and be able to join her flock before long. She'll have a story to tell!!!!
I hate to be the glum one, and I DO hope your chicken gets better--- but if she does not recover her ability to walk, and if she goes downhill- you need to definitively find out that it is or is not Marek's, as if this is present, you need to know to better manage the rest of your flock. You are in CA? This is your FREE state lab for necropsy, if you ever need it. Use the standard submission form, and deliver the deceased or mail in a cooler. Pick the closest lab to your town.
http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/
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http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/
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