Dog Attack/Chicken Paralysis

[shbouton]

So to try and make a long story short, about three weeks ago, I lost eight banties to a dog attack, had one that was severely injured, that has now recovered, and one that apparently was injured as well that I didn't notice until she became paralyzed a couple of weeks after the attack. She had evidence of the attack on her back but it was healed over.

Off to the vet we went and after X-rays there were no broken bones, he seemed to think it was neurological, spine related, a residual effect of the dog attack, although he did think it was odd that it took that long to develop. So I now have her in the house on antibiotics and pain medicine, although he said she does not appear to be in pain, she is eating and drinking very well and is very content inside the house, she just can't stand. The vet said that chickens are amazingly resilient but that if she doesn't improve in a couple of weeks, that we should consider euthanasia. So now it's been about 10 days since the vet visit and she shows no improvement. Anyone have any experience with this type of recovery? And if so, can she live in the house permanently?

Again, she seems very content, is alert, talks to me and eats and drinks, no problem. The only problem I am having is keeping her behind clean. I have made her a sling that she sits in some of the time and other times she is laying on towels so of course she is mostly sitting in her own poop. I give her a bath every couple of days but don't know if that's the best thing to do. Any recommendations on how to keep her clean?

 

[azygous]

It's unfortunate the vet didn't recommend vitamin E therapy for the neurological damage. Started soon enough, it can repair nervous system damage. In addition, vitamin B complex can help strengthen the legs, further helping the lameness. It's still worth a try. Sometimes it works.

One whole vitamin E 400iu capsule plus a B complex tablet each day for a week or two to see what happens. It can't hurt.

As for caring for a disabled chicken, there have been some lovely threads on the subject, but I haven't had any luck at all trying to get the BYC search feature to call them up.

Perhaps some folks who've had disabled chickens will respond to your thread. I've had a few disabled chickens in the past that have received special care, and I have a couple at present that get special care. In the past, a crippled hen slept in a basket in the garage and I carried her out to the run each day to be with her friends. Currently, I have a hen that requires lifting her off the perch each morning, and sometimes she also needs assistance getting on her perch at night. I'm happy to go to the extra trouble, and lots of chicken folks are, too.

 

[BarredRockMom]

I agree with the vitamin advice, however, instead of B Complex, see if you can get B-50...or better yet, a B-100 (WalMart, grocery store) to give. Reason being, the nerves thrive on the particular nutrients in the upper B range & those things aren't present in a standard B Complex.

If it helps her, here's how it's going to do so: stimulated, nourished nerves are going to be encouraged to reconnect. Each end will seek out the other, going over, under or thru scar tissue to make that connection...or they form new connections altogether. When they start poking thru scar tissue, it feels like pin pricks and she may vocalize unexpectedly. It's an uncomfortable feeling but if the ends do end up working toward one another & actually DO connect, you'll know.

I don't know how long it could take, but I would definitely give it for longer than 7 days. I'd say no Less than 14, and probably closer to 30 days.

If you go this route, good luck to you and your little hen!

 

[Shadrach]

I've had two hens paralyzed here.
The story of one is here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/#post-20314661
The other recovered more quickly. Both were stress related.
If you are prepared to put the time and effort in given there is nothing obviously physically wrong with her according to your vet then in both my cases they walked again.
First thing I would say is stop bathing her. It's very stressful for a chicken.
I used towels for one, but the other (the one in the story stayed in a maternity coop and when I lifted her out I changed the straw and picked any poop off with my fingers.

 

[shbouton]

I've had two hens paralyzed here.
The story of one is here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/#post-20314661
The other recovered more quickly. Both were stress related.
If you are prepared to put the time and effort in given there is nothing obviously physically wrong with her according to your vet then in both my cases they walked again.
First thing I would say is stop bathing her. It's very stressful for a chicken.
I used towels for one, but the other (the one in the story stayed in a maternity coop and when I lifted her out I changed the straw and picked any poop off with my fingers.

Thank you so much!

 

[shbouton]

So to try and make a long story short, about three weeks ago, I lost eight banties to a dog attack, had one that was severely injured, that has now recovered, and one that apparently was injured as well that I didn't notice until she became paralyzed a couple of weeks after the attack. She had evidence of the attack on her back but it was healed over.

Off to the vet we went and after X-rays there were no broken bones, he seemed to think it was neurological, spine related, a residual effect of the dog attack, although he did think it was odd that it took that long to develop. So I now have her in the house on antibiotics and pain medicine, although he said she does not appear to be in pain, she is eating and drinking very well and is very content inside the house, she just can't stand. The vet said that chickens are amazingly resilient but that if she doesn't improve in a couple of weeks, that we should consider euthanasia. So now it's been about 10 days since the vet visit and she shows no improvement. Anyone have any experience with this type of recovery? And if so, can she live in the house permanently?

Again, she seems very content, is alert, talks to me and eats and drinks, no problem. The only problem I am having is keeping her behind clean. I have made her a sling that she sits in some of the time and other times she is laying on towels so of course she is mostly sitting in her own poop. I give her a bath every couple of days but don't know if that's the best thing to do. Any recommendations on how to keep her clean?

Thank you so much!

 

[shbouton]

It's unfortunate the vet didn't recommend vitamin E therapy for the neurological damage. Started soon enough, it can repair nervous system damage. In addition, vitamin B complex can help strengthen the legs, further helping the lameness. It's still worth a try. Sometimes it works.

One whole vitamin E 400iu capsule plus a B complex tablet each day for a week or two to see what happens. It can't hurt.

As for caring for a disabled chicken, there have been some lovely threads on the subject, but I haven't had any luck at all trying to get the BYC search feature to call them up.

Perhaps some folks who've had disabled chickens will respond to your thread. I've had a few disabled chickens in the past that have received special care, and I have a couple at present that get special care. In the past, a crippled hen slept in a basket in the garage and I carried her out to the run each day to be with her friends. Currently, I have a hen that requires lifting her off the perch each morning, and sometimes she also needs assistance getting on her perch at night. I'm happy to go to the extra trouble, and lots of chicken folks are, too.

Thank you so much!

 

[glassdragonfly]

I would try trimming the feathers that are gathering the most of the mess. Alight coating of coconut oil in the area might help it come clean easier. Time heals many things when it comes to chickens,it might take longer than the vet said. Are you doing any physical therapy? Massaging the legs might help stimulate blood flow.

 

[shbouton]

Thank you so much!

 

[shbouton]

I agree with the vitamin advice, however, instead of B Complex, see if you can get B-50...or better yet, a B-100 (WalMart, grocery store) to give. Reason being, the nerves thrive on the particular nutrients in the upper B range & those things aren't present in a standard B Complex.

If it helps her, here's how it's going to do so: stimulated, nourished nerves are going to be encouraged to reconnect. Each end will seek out the other, going over, under or thru scar tissue to make that connection...or they form new connections altogether. When they start poking thru scar tissue, it feels like pin pricks and she may vocalize unexpectedly. It's an uncomfortable feeling but if the ends do end up working toward one another & actually DO connect, you'll know.

I don't know how long it could take, but I would definitely give it for longer than 7 days. I'd say no Less than 14, and probably closer to 30 days.

Since she's a bantie, would the dosage be the same as a regular sized chicken?

If you go this route, good luck to you and your little hen!