Chicken suddenly went blind

[Otterpop]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably put them all back on the starter feed for a while. I also do give them a lot of yogurt, so I don't really think it's a deficiency of any kind. The most likely scenario at this point was your suggestion that since she was beat up her immunity was down and she picked up something. Hopefully she pulls through! I'll update on her condition in the morning. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Otterpop]

I wanted to give an update on my poor little chicky. She's doing about the same as yesterday. Although, when I brought her out for a little bit she had some diarrhea. I went to the feed store and bought her some tetracycline antibiotics and a supplement with vitamin D and electrolytes. Since you're not supposed to mix the supplement with the antibiotic and I only have enough waterers to do one at a time I started her on the antibiotic earlier today. It seems that she doesn't really want to eat or drink unless I kind of coax her. It sure is sad listening to her pathetic cries...

 

[threehorses]

Why are you using an antibiotic? She'll only develop more diarrhea. There's not a strong enough indication yet that this is at all bacterial. And vitamin packages in the water aren't effective for the vitamins that are oil based - namely A, D, E. Sure they'r ein there, but they need fats and oils to actually be *used*.

Are you giving yogurt for the diarrhea? Yogurt isn't a vitamin supplement by the way. It helps with D. It doesn't help with all the other nutrition.

 

[Otterpop]

The tetracycline is useful for the treatment several ailments beyond bacterial such as parasitic. Beings is as I don't know for sure what caused this illness it is definitely a good place to start. She got the diarrhea while I was in the process of giving her the antibiotic which rules out the antibiotic as the cause. Also, those vitamins of which you referred to are stored in the body as fat. They don't need to be in the form of fat (oil) to be digestible. They absolutely are water soluble.

 

[threehorses]

http://www.drugs.com/pro/terramycin.html

Terramycin is indicated as a treatment for various bacteria, but I've never seen anything where it's considered indicated for parasites. Could you please let me know where you found that so if I'm wrong I can correct my thinking?

Sulfamides (Sulfamethazine Sodium for example) are cross-over antibiotics that also effect other micro-organisms such as protazoa. But even it doesn't effect worms.

Oil vitamins depend on oil/fats in the diet to be absorbed. BUt there are some studies that show that vitamin E absorbtion can be increased if given as an oil form.

The alternative is to give vitamins in the water exposed to light and sitting out for a day hoping they work. To me, that's not very efficient. So that's why I recommend using something that happens more quickly so you know that the light-sensitive vitamins are getting in there combined with food (which there are also studies showing that supplementation in conjunction with food is more efficient than that with liquid and an empty stomach, which many sick birds have, than water consumption).

So each poultry owner is entitled to choose his own way. But personally when I recommend something, and there's a possible nutritional need that needs to be addressed immediately (rather than just maintenance), I recommend the one that I've been read about to be the more effective choice.

I really am interested in your tetracycline sources about parasite indication so that I can learn more. In the mean time, I think you and I differ on how this should be handled and it is after all your bird. I wish you the absolute best of luck with her and your flock. Thank you for taking the time to read my posts.

 

[dlhunicorn]

You can give polyvisol enfamil (no extra iron) in the beak > three drops daily for a couple weeks while giving terramycin... give the vitamin supplement after you have completed the antibiotic .
(since you have already started then finish)
Here is my info on some causes of the torticollis :
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=emergencies&action=display&num=1160928615

I would try and find some wheatgerm oil to mix in with the feed.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Ummm. Hmm. I am new to chickens, but wouldn't you cull a blind chicken? Not trying to cause any upset, but I think personally I would find it hard to watch a blind animal struggle through life.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Actually, I take that back. It would be hard to know what to do.

 

[threehorses]

You'd think you would. I always intended to - until my blind chicken had a name, a personality, and was the look alike son of my very first rooster of adulthood.

Then things get complicated.

He lived to be at least 9 years old, very spunky dude. Very very good rooster. He's sorely missed for his roostering abilities.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

btw, how do you know it is blind? I mean for sure?