Emergency, woke up to sick quail!

[the-greenest-thumb]

Woke up this morning to one of my favourite coturnix hens being sick. I've moved her to a hospital cage for now. She's super puffed up and seems to have poor balance so she's just squatting, any time she tries to move she starts to fall over. She's breathing a little faster but not panting, so I assume it's from pain or discomfort. She was shaking a little when I was looking over her, she's usually quite hand tame.

I felt around the vent and I didn't feel any egg, plus we've already got the eggs as scheduled so I don't think she's eggbound. Also her vent seems pretty clean and I've seen her poop so no blockage.

No injuries that I can see or feel but there are some loose feathers in the cage. Some of the birds were panicking last night, while I can't be sure I thought it was just the 5 week olds I have. There are 2 other hens in the adult cage and I haven’t seen them fighting before, they're generally very chill hens.

Tried listening to her chest, didn't hear anything abnormal. She seemed active and fine last night. They're kept indoors with climate control so no predators or fluctuating temps etc.

She's taking treats (dried soldier fly larvae) from my hand, eating her pellets and drinking.

https://imgur.com/a/htU6mWn

 

[Nabiki]

It sounds like you've done a very good examination to eliminate the standard issues and start her care.

If your birds were panicking last night, it may be possible that she flushed and hit her head. The facts that she's eating, drinking, and pooping are all good signs, which make me think she has a very good chance of recovery if it is an injury.

Quail are very good at hiding pain, and head injuries aren't obvious, so you may not be able to find it with a non-intrusive examination.

I would continue what you're doing with the hospital pen, making sure she's warm and has plenty of food and water nearby. Watch to make sure her poop continues to look normal, and watch for other symptoms. If it is injury, quail heal fast, so she will start showing signs of improvement within a day or two.

Let us know how things go during the day and in the next few days as well, please.

 

[the-greenest-thumb]

It sounds like you've done a very good examination to eliminate the standard issues and start her care.

If your birds were panicking last night, it may be possible that she flushed and hit her head. The facts that she's eating, drinking, and pooping are all good signs, which make me think she has a very good chance of recovery if it is an injury.

Quail are very good at hiding pain, and head injuries aren't obvious, so you may not be able to find it with a non-intrusive examination.

I would continue what you're doing with the hospital pen, making sure she's warm and has plenty of food and water nearby. Watch to make sure her poop continues to look normal, and watch for other symptoms. If it is injury, quail heal fast, so she will start showing signs of improvement within a day or two.

Let us know how things go during the day and in the next few days as well, please.

Ah I'm glad to hear I've been doing the right things.

Thank you very much. I'll definitely update.