- Feb 6, 2010
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Hello,
Two of my Cochon hens were attacked by puppies about three weeks ago. One of them had her tail bit with moderate abrasions and some feathers pulled out. The other one, poor girl, had her entire back stripped off (skin and all). I separated them into a large coup, gave them plenty of cozy bedding, and a warm heat lamp. My wife and I treated washed their backs for 3 nights with warm Betadine solution and some human-grade surgical wash. We covered their wounds in triple antibiotic ointment, a numbing spray, and later Biozide Gel (which is also an anti-bacterial). For the last two weeks, we have been liberally applying Vetricyn spray once daily. Neither chicken has shown any outward signs of infection of their wounds.
The one with the worst injury took a turn after two weeks and suddenly stopped eating and drinking. Up until this time, both chickens remained bright with excellent appetites. The worse off one turned very pale and became seriously dehydrated. She then became blind and began goose-stepping. Within a day all she would do was lie quietly and sleep. We force fed her Tetracycline mixed with warm water, Nutrical paste, some sugar, liquid B vitamins, and an electrolyte and vitamin/mineral formula. We also offered her whisked raw egg. After a week of this treatment, she has remarkably come around. She is once again bright, her appetite has returned, and she is drinking plenty of fluids. We still offer her the electrolyte formula and antibiotic in her water, which she is drinking well. Her sight seems to be returning.
The other chicken with the bitten tail was very bright, active, and normal until just a few days ago. In the morning she was suddenly having much difficulty standing and walking. She could struggle up, but only take about two steps forward before going in reverse. She would then sit on the ground with her feet stretched out in front of her. Now she can hardly control her legs at all. She has a hard time sitting sternal and her legs are out behind her. She is running a fever and gets muscle tremors. Periodically she experiences labored breathing.
Yet, she remains quite bright with a good appetite. We place the food and water in front of her and she seems to have no difficulty eating. She gets laying mash, cracked corn scratch, oyster shell, and either raw egg or hard boiled egg. She usually gets a treat of Nutrical or something around the kitchen to peck--like carrots or melon rinds. We have been force feeding her the same medicinal mixture the other one got. But after three days there is no improvement.
Any ideas? I've been doing some reading and understand that it may be Marek's or possibly Encephalitis of the equine or avian variety. To my knowledge she has not gotten into anything that would have botulism. And she is the only chicken experiencing these symptoms.
I would really appreciate any insight.
Thank you,
Shawn
Two of my Cochon hens were attacked by puppies about three weeks ago. One of them had her tail bit with moderate abrasions and some feathers pulled out. The other one, poor girl, had her entire back stripped off (skin and all). I separated them into a large coup, gave them plenty of cozy bedding, and a warm heat lamp. My wife and I treated washed their backs for 3 nights with warm Betadine solution and some human-grade surgical wash. We covered their wounds in triple antibiotic ointment, a numbing spray, and later Biozide Gel (which is also an anti-bacterial). For the last two weeks, we have been liberally applying Vetricyn spray once daily. Neither chicken has shown any outward signs of infection of their wounds.
The one with the worst injury took a turn after two weeks and suddenly stopped eating and drinking. Up until this time, both chickens remained bright with excellent appetites. The worse off one turned very pale and became seriously dehydrated. She then became blind and began goose-stepping. Within a day all she would do was lie quietly and sleep. We force fed her Tetracycline mixed with warm water, Nutrical paste, some sugar, liquid B vitamins, and an electrolyte and vitamin/mineral formula. We also offered her whisked raw egg. After a week of this treatment, she has remarkably come around. She is once again bright, her appetite has returned, and she is drinking plenty of fluids. We still offer her the electrolyte formula and antibiotic in her water, which she is drinking well. Her sight seems to be returning.
The other chicken with the bitten tail was very bright, active, and normal until just a few days ago. In the morning she was suddenly having much difficulty standing and walking. She could struggle up, but only take about two steps forward before going in reverse. She would then sit on the ground with her feet stretched out in front of her. Now she can hardly control her legs at all. She has a hard time sitting sternal and her legs are out behind her. She is running a fever and gets muscle tremors. Periodically she experiences labored breathing.
Yet, she remains quite bright with a good appetite. We place the food and water in front of her and she seems to have no difficulty eating. She gets laying mash, cracked corn scratch, oyster shell, and either raw egg or hard boiled egg. She usually gets a treat of Nutrical or something around the kitchen to peck--like carrots or melon rinds. We have been force feeding her the same medicinal mixture the other one got. But after three days there is no improvement.
Any ideas? I've been doing some reading and understand that it may be Marek's or possibly Encephalitis of the equine or avian variety. To my knowledge she has not gotten into anything that would have botulism. And she is the only chicken experiencing these symptoms.
I would really appreciate any insight.
Thank you,
Shawn
