HELP! What is wrong? Droopy wing, beak down, Pictures..

[allen wranch]

It is not Avian Influenza, but it may be Botulism .

You can make a solution of a level teaspoon Epsom Salts mixed with 1 oz water and feed it to the bird to flush the toxins out. You will probably have to hand feed the solution to your pullet.

 

[kathyinmo]

She is not well. I think she is slowly dying. I think her foot is curled now, but she is able to straighten it, and did get up from laying. I am going to try the Epsom Salts now.

 

[allen wranch]

I hope it is not too late for your girl.

If she doesn't make it, is there a university or poultry lab you could send her to for necropsy ? If there is, be sure to refrigerator the body. Do not freeze.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[tackyrama]

Quote:
I have had several birds with the exact same symptoms. I also think it is botulism. I have had good success treating with polyvisol (1 good squirt per day), and molasses (1 tsp per 1/2 glass of water at two full squirts per day) Use a baby dropper right down the throat. I have had four total recoverys and one in the hosp. right now. I also gave the coop a thorough cleaning and finished with diluted pine sol. I also started with vitamins & electrolytes in the drinking water. I didn't think they needed the additive in the water as they are free range but it can't hurt.

 

[kathyinmo]

allen wranch wrote:
It is not Avian Influenza, but it may be Botulism .

You can make a solution of a level teaspoon Epsom Salts mixed with 1 oz water and feed it to the bird to flush the toxins out. You will probably have to hand feed the solution to your pullet.

Thanks so much for the "hope". Hope because there is a treatment, maybe. OK, I have now fed her 20 cc of the Epsom Salt mix.

tackyrama wrote:
I have had several birds with the exact same symptoms. I also think it is botulism. I have had good success treating with polyvisol (1 good squirt per day), and molasses (1 tsp per 1/2 glass of water at two full squirts per day) Use a baby dropper right down the throat. I have had four total recoverys and one in the hosp. right now. I also gave the coop a thorough cleaning and finished with diluted pine sol. I also started with vitamins & electrolytes in the drinking water. I didn't think they needed the additive in the water as they are free range but it can't hurt.

OK, now I have given her 10 cc of the molasses and water, as well as 5 drops of PolyVisol vitamins. What kind of vitamins do you add to the flock's water? I know the PolyVisol can break down (it is in a dark colored container), is there some other vitamin formula to add to the water? I do have a packet of electrolytes. Maybe I should add some to the flock's water today?


THANKS so very very much for the help! I am now feeling a bit hopeful.

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, she is laying down now. BUT, she will get up when I come near. Also got some poo.... That must be a good sign, huh?

 

[threehorses]

I'm so glad to see that y'all are talking about botulism. I just got into this thread, catching up (probably missed something) but to me it seems quite like botulism or mycotoxicosis. More like botulism. However the test is this: pull some feathers. IF they pull out easily, it's for sure botulism. If she seems to be losing feathers in the cage, too.

Otherwise, to me it looks like a toxin which still can help witht he molasses flush. Molasses WILL dehydrate her so she must have electrolytes after the flush. Same with epsoms. Both are flushes, designed to flush toxins (and anything else) out of the system. So replace it with full-strength poultry electrolytes in the water as labeled. Also on the yogurt, give to her as a quickly eaten wet mash - don't let it sit more than 15 minutes.

All her food right now needs to be crumbles - nothing solid. her system is going to be essentially shutting down to more complicated feeds so use crumbles. Moisten them if she'll eat them that way.

Could she have gotten into any of the following:
spoiled or wet feed/water
mud puddles or standing water or a pond
decaying vegetation including lawn clippings in water
kitchen scraps
compost pile
any toxin run off - (toxins used, lawn watered, water drunk)
canned goods
soured grains
under pens where manure is
maggots (even near flower pots)
anything at all decaying
mildew, fungus of any kind?

Saying a prayer right now for her. This is just heartbreaking.

These articles helped me save my ducks from botulism at this stage:

Botulism flushes:
http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/solutions.html

Botulism:
http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disbact.htm

 

[dlhunicorn]

Hi kathy... (sorry took so long but had vistor and had to leave just shortly after I answered your pm)
In the photos you posted ... is that where they "free range" ? (So the entire area is what I saw or is there more > meaning grass/woods or whatever) ...
If Botulism your bird will either recover or not > there is an"tidote but I doubt you will find it readily available nor affordable... you have done what you could... you do need to ensure she can swallow on her own as you do not want aspiration of liquids or feed (the paralysis will pass but it can affect their ability to swallow).
I wouldnt worry about feed the first 24 hours... you do need to ensure hydration so dribble a bit along her beak and keep doing so at regular intervals > you need to ensure the bird is supported (cup neck in hand and support head while dribbling the water along beak)

Check your bird carefully for tick(s)... as unlikely and rare as it is chickens do occasionally suffer from ticks and there are some types that can cause this type of symptom from a neurotoxin... you will need to remove the tick (the bird can even die from this toxin if the tick is not removed)

 

[kathyinmo]

OK, so now I just did another molasses flush (10cc). Then, I followed that with 10cc electrolyes water. I don't know how much is enough, and how much is too much???

She is NOT eating. However, just now .... she started lifting her head up, so her beek is not totally on the ground.

I think it is working! I hope it is working!

edited to add .... (we were posting at the same time!)

On the free ranging... they come out of the run, into the yard and timber area. I don't know what she coulc have gotten into. The compost pile is away from the area. It has been sprinkling, but no real rain or puddles, no moldy food (fresh everyday), can't figure???

We do have ticks in the area, but I feel none on her. I will check again.

I checked her feathers, none falling out or coming out easily.

 

[Eggs4Sale]