Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

Might keep her on 1/2 aspirin once a day ‘in case of injury’; she looks like her head is ok and her wings, seems to be her legs more affected now, and her tail is down.

Can you set up a sling for her to sit in to keep her in a more natural position upright, and not tire her out struggling to walk. A box with an old towel or fabric, with a couple holes for her legs and suspended inside the box. Like one of those old fashioned baby walkers.

If it is an injury moving about too much will aggravate it.

She is on aspirin currently I restarted that yesterday. Yes, I could set up a sling, thank you I will keep that in mind and start planning it in case she declines further. She lays down normally for now, when she settles for that.

Tail down, I did notice that: so I checked her vent and it looks completely normal, as do her poops.

She gets upset and panicky when I try and look her over and I would dearly love to look under her feathers better but I am afraid it could do more harm than good. When I did this a few days ago she really kicked up a fuss when I tried to look under the feathers around the base of her neck. I stopped then but I suspect yet can't confirm that is where the injury is, although she preens that area with no apparent distress.

She is determined to keep me guessing.

 

[Ponypoor]

She is on aspirin currently I restarted that yesterday. Yes, I could set up a sling, thank you I will keep that in mind and start planning it in case she declines further. She lays down normally for now, when she settles for that.

Tail down, I did notice that: so I checked her vent and it looks completely normal, as do her poops.

She gets upset and panicky when I try and look her over and I would dearly love to look under her feathers better but I am afraid it could do more harm than good. When I did this a few days ago she really kicked up a fuss when I tried to look under the feathers around the base of her neck. I stopped then but I suspect yet can't confirm that is where the injury is, although she preens that area with no apparent distress.

She is determined to keep me guessing.

Hopefully it’s just an injury that will take time to heal. Does she have a friend with her to keep her company?

 

[RoyalChick]

Today she is worse. She is still eating and drinking and pooping. I was really hopeful that the aspirin would help but so far it hasn’t. She is still fighting whatever this is though so I will too.

I put the video in a spoiler because I know there are folks that have been through something similar enough they may not want to relive it, which is completely understandable. It is indeed difficult to watch em struggle and not be able to help.

I would welcome any new insights now that her issues are more pronounced.

Thank you everyone sorry for all the posts, I am getting pretty worried at this point.

Spoiler: Rue today

Poor girl. But she is managing.
I am still betting on vitamins.

 

[RoyalChick]

Might keep her on 1/2 aspirin once a day ‘in case of injury’; she looks like her head is ok and her wings, seems to be her legs more affected now, and her tail is down.

Can you set up a sling for her to sit in to keep her in a more natural position upright, and not tire her out struggling to walk. A box with an old towel or fabric, with a couple holes for her legs and suspended inside the box. Like one of those old fashioned baby walkers.

If it is an injury moving about too much will aggravate it.

Also, found this good video on Mareks for anyone who needs a primer (like me).

What makes you think injury?
It looks bilateral to me which I think makes injury less likely.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Hopefully it’s just an injury that will take time to heal. Does she have a friend with her to keep her company?

No, not right now. I hate doing this but until I see some improvement, I am keeping her by herself to reduce the likelihood of her moving about.

What makes you think injury?
It looks bilateral to me which I think makes injury less likely.

The only actual clue I have is apparent distress when I tried checking under her feathers at the base of her neck and upper back. Could this be coincidence absolutely but it is all I have so far. I watched the video, thank you for that. It confirms what I read, it could be transient Mareks. I was heartened to hear she would likely recover from it if it is.

Your correct it does seem bilateral. I remain flummoxed on what is causing this.

I am out with the flock now, another day of no flock illness so she remains the only bird affected.

Thank you both excellent information, tips, and observations.

 

[Sylvester017]

Wow. Did the district of Muskoka repair the road or the beaver damn I wonder (it says they rushed to repair). I am thinking that they likely didn’t conduct repairs to the beavers’ liking so they might dismantle and rebuild!

Tax: plucked beard!
View attachment 4154488

Poor sweetie! Was the plucking culprit properly chastised?!

 

[Ponypoor]

What makes you think injury?
It looks bilateral to me which I think makes injury less likely.

If it’s a neck injury it could manifest itself as both legs showing paralysis.

Of course this is all just conjecture.

And yes I would hedge my bets and keep her on vitamins. I would also if I had access, give some prednisone. Throw everything at it and hope for the best.

Of course it could be something as far off as a genetic issue. Though I have never heard of this in poultry.

One other thing I would think about is a poison, for instance botulism manifests as neurological symptoms. In humans it starts on the periphery- legs - and moves upwards.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Love it! Is that a repurposed Zimmer frame?!

What is a Zimmer frame?

It could be Mareks and if she passes I will have her tested for it. Here’s why I think that is unlikely but not impossible. No other chicken, even my silkies are at all sick in anyway and it’s been 6 days now since this started. I have had chickens her for 3 yrs now and never had it show up. She is also not lethargic, she is trying to be a normal chicken, she eats, drinks, preens, talks to me when I am out there. That said your correct and I have read some strains are weaker and only affect one bird so I cannot responsibly dismiss this entirely.

The most likely cause seems to be an injury. They are young and foolish teenagers after all.

Can Mareks be found by swab, but even asymptomatic birds will show it's presence, so it's useless except at necropsy?

My thought is nerve impingement on her left leg. Tumor (plan old cancer or one caused by Mareks), some sort of egg situation (the tail down), or an injury. A sling of sorts would help her in her daily activities while not stressing her other leg, and also keep the affected leg in a non-strained natural position. I think @Ponypoor is right on with that. Suspending it would be my challenge...maybe a walker or over-the-toilet frame (yes repurposing orthopedic supplies), or an actual baby bouncer, tiny walking-toddler frame?

If I were in your place I would get her wrapped in something snugly, which will help with the stressing, and then look her over well. Doing it at night would help the stress too, and in the company of the friend it would be good for her to have with her. You are a very caring and conscientious hooman, and she feels trust in that, I'm sure!

 

[Sylvester017]

A while back we posted an article about the EU developing vaccines - different countries took on different species (chickens, turkeys, ducks & geese). I think Turkey & France were 2 of the other countries - can't remember the 4th atm.

I'm curious what the vaccines are for ~ AI? Here, we are eating eggs from our own Mareck's vaccinated birds. I spoke w/ one breeder who couldn't ever eat future eggs from a Baytril antibiotic injected bird cuz her immune system was compromised? We've got to be so careful to know what we eat nowadays.

I know our own vet has halted Baytril use here but it sure was a great cure for my previous flock birds. Now he prescribes oral antibiotics rather than using injections & it's a real pain trying to get oral meds into some chickens!

Mini was our multiple health problems bird. She was the one our vet used Baytril to save her a couple times from death's door!

 

[knoturavggrl]

What is a Zimmer frame?

Can Mareks be found by swab, but even asymptomatic birds will show it's presence, so it's useless except at necropsy?

My thought is nerve impingement on her left leg. Tumor (plan old cancer or one caused by Mareks), some sort of egg situation (the tail down), or an injury. A sling of sorts would help her in her daily activities while not stressing her other leg, and also keep the affected leg in a non-strained natural position. I think @Ponypoor is right on with that. Suspending it would be my challenge...maybe a walker or over-the-toilet frame (yes repurposing orthopedic supplies), or an actual baby bouncer, tiny walking-toddler frame?

If I were in your place I would get her wrapped in something snugly, which will help with the stressing, and then look her over well. Doing it at night would help the stress too, and in the company of the friend it would be good for her to have with her. You are a very caring and conscientious hooman, and she feels trust in that, I'm sure!

I will definitely try wrapping her up and checking her over that way this evening. I will think on the sling possiblities and see what I can come up with.