Emergency - Hen not able to walk, leg dislocated?

[Wyorp Rock]

Unfortunately she was dead this morning. I went to check on her (she's was in the infirmary), but lying down with her eyes closed, limp. Her body was cold. She had food and water and seemed to be doing better the day before, so I'm not sure what happened. I'm really upset, and trying to decide if I should bury her or send her in for a necropsy. I know that a necropsy is probably the best idea so that we know what was going on, but I also usually want to bury my pets, as I feel that's more respectful. But I feel like it's my fault. Rest in peace, Cupcake

@SunriseChickers @LaFleche @Chikn-Wisperer @microchick @Yard Farmer @Clucktown @Wyorp Rock @nuthatched @CRGoldenGirls thank you all for replying and helping me out. I really appreciate it

I'm so sorry to hear about Cupcake

I know you are sad; you did what you could for her and it's not your fault.

Please do let us know what you find out once you get the necropsy report.

 

[LaFleche]

Yeah, I called and I'm going to have her go in for a necropsy tomorrow. :/

Good decision!

So sorry you lost Cupcake despite all your efforts.

 

[Clucktown]

I am so very sorry to hear of Cupcake's passing. She was lucky to have such a caring person in her life. We recently lost both our Brahma Buff and Polish at 10.5 years to what I suspect was Marek's. They never left our backyard and never came in contact with any other chickens. They were our last 2 and died within 2 weeks of each other. The Polish had very similar symptoms to what you described. She lost use of one leg, then the other, and basically wasted away. Truly heart wrenching. Please let us know the results of the necropsy. Prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead.

 

[Kiki]

Yeah, I called and I'm going to have her go in for a necropsy tomorrow. :/

Did you get the results back?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Did you get the results back?

They said it'd be early this week (they're closed on weekends), but I checked and it says it's in progress.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I am so very sorry to hear of Cupcake's passing. She was lucky to have such a caring person in her life. We recently lost both our Brahma Buff and Polish at 10.5 years to what I suspect was Marek's. They never left our backyard and never came in contact with any other chickens. They were our last 2 and died within 2 weeks of each other. The Polish had very similar symptoms to what you described. She lost use of one leg, then the other, and basically wasted away. Truly heart wrenching. Please let us know the results of the necropsy. Prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Thank you for the encouragement and prayers, although I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Kiki]

They said it'd be early this week (they're closed on weekends), but I checked and it says it's in progress.
View attachment 3970077

I am glad you sent her!
Knowing will help the future.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Got some of the results back from the gross necropsy.

He noted the heavy mite load, which may or may not have been caused by potential atherosclerosis.

Here are some notes from the report: "The cause of the presumptive atherosclerosis requires further diagnostics to evaluate. Possible causes may include primary neoplastic disease or chronic compensatory change to low blood volume."

"Gross Necropsy Description: Hen – 2.134kg, wet when submitted Very heavy mite infestation of the vent, body, and legs
Mild feather loss on back
Moderate fecal pasting around the vent
Very thin body condition
Pale liver
Pale spleen
Multifocal prominent intrasplenic tan tubular structures (presumptive arterioles)
Pale kidneys
Marked enlargement and reduced elasticity of abdominal aorta, renal arteries, and femoral arteries
Not in production
Crop contents: large amount of feed with mild multifocal to coalescing white-tan rugose patches
Gizzard contents: moderate amount of mixed feed and grit
Trachea, sinus, heart, lung, sciatic nerve, sciatic plexus, brain, proventriculus, stifle and hock joints – no significant gross lesions"

He's not sure yet what it is. Still potentially Marek's so he's going to do a histopathology.

Interesting thing about the mites though, is that there weren't any when I first examined her, a few months ago, as she was losing strength. Then there were a few, and then a lot. I did a Permectrin II treatment at a 1:19 concentration, and it helped.
She seemed to be doing better, with very few mites.
The next day when she died, she was covered. I thought there was a lot of dust but it was thousands of mites. So. Many. Mites.
He thinks the mites are a result of an underlying condition, but not sure yet. I should have the results from the histopathology within the next week.

 

[Kiki]

Got some of the results back from the gross necropsy.

He noted the heavy mite load, which may or may not have been caused by potential atherosclerosis.

Here are some notes from the report: "The cause of the presumptive atherosclerosis requires further diagnostics to evaluate. Possible causes may include primary neoplastic disease or chronic compensatory change to low blood volume."

"Gross Necropsy Description: Hen – 2.134kg, wet when submitted Very heavy mite infestation of the vent, body, and legs
Mild feather loss on back
Moderate fecal pasting around the vent
Very thin body condition
Pale liver
Pale spleen
Multifocal prominent intrasplenic tan tubular structures (presumptive arterioles)
Pale kidneys
Marked enlargement and reduced elasticity of abdominal aorta, renal arteries, and femoral arteries
Not in production
Crop contents: large amount of feed with mild multifocal to coalescing white-tan rugose patches
Gizzard contents: moderate amount of mixed feed and grit
Trachea, sinus, heart, lung, sciatic nerve, sciatic plexus, brain, proventriculus, stifle and hock joints – no significant gross lesions"

He's not sure yet what it is. Still potentially Marek's so he's going to do a histopathology.

Interesting thing about the mites though, is that there weren't any when I first examined her, a few months ago, as she was losing strength. Then there were a few, and then a lot. I did a Permectrin II treatment at a 1:19 concentration, and it helped.
She seemed to be doing better, with very few mites.
The next day when she died, she was covered. I thought there was a lot of dust but it was thousands of mites. So. Many. Mites.
He thinks the mites are a result of an underlying condition, but not sure yet. I should have the results from the histopathology within the next week.

I am not familiar with this product. "Permectrin II treatment at a 1:19 concentration"
Are you sure this is strong enough?


Remember mites are hard to get rid of. You really must treat every thing and everyone every 5-7 days for a few weeks. No less than 3 for sure.


If I had mites I would treat every thing and every one every 5 days and do it at least 5 times/5 treatments.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I am not familiar with this product. "Permectrin II treatment at a 1:19 concentration"
Are you sure this is strong enough?

Permectrin II is a product with permethrin for treating mites and other insects in poultry (and other farm animals)

I got the dosage off of this post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mites-in-shavings.1452638/post-24234111