Hen can't stand without falling over.

[Porcini1951]

Hello folks, I'm Jan and am newto this site. We have had chickens for 4 years now - a mixture of ex-battery and other breeds.
Our cream legbar "Leggy" was found on the ground two weeks ago when I went to close the coops for the night. She was making a grunting noise and couldn't stand without keeling over.
We took her to the vets who treated her with a 2 week course of Baytril for an air sac infection and this seems to have cleared itself. She's eating and drinking well now and no more grunting but she can't stand up without losing balance.
She went back to the vets and they diagnosed an ear infection which may have developed from the original infection so more Baytril. She's finished the course now but she still can't balance. We then have treated her with Flubenvet for internal parasites just in case it was gapeworm (as she was gaping a little) No effect. Olive oil in the ears for mites - no effect.
Back to the vets yesterday and they now think she might have some nerve damage (but can't say where or why) so gave her a sterod injection.
She's eating healthily, drinking well and is looking great except for the keeling over to the side. If things are no better by Thursday the vet recommends having her "put to sleep" which we obviously wish to avoid if necessary.
Would be very grateful for any suggestions which might save her life
Thanks
Jan

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome toBYC. Mareks disease comes to mind, since it causes problems with lack of immunity to many common diseases and can cause neurological problems including paralysis and balance issues. So many things can look like Mareks though. She has really had a lot of problems, though.

 

[Porcini1951]

Thank you for the reply. Having looked on the internet it would seem that this could be the problem. The classic "one legged paralysis" just about clinches the diagnosis.
It's such a shame as there is no cure. Maybe we need to take her sooner than later poor girl. She's been residing in our bath (in a cat basket but with door open) since the original respiratory infection as we kept her in a steamy atmosphere to aid her breathing. She's scoffing pellets, corn and mealworms and we were hoping for a miracle but it seems like it isn't going to happen for her.
Thanks again

 

[Porcini1951]

Further update on Leggy.
She's looking fine, tail up, eating and drinking well still. Poo seems normal. She's started making her clucking noises again when we go to see her.
She still can't walk more than a step without losing balance at which point she just sinks down with both legs beneath her. There is no sign of the "one foreward, one back" leg posture. It's her left leg that won't move and she keeps stamping her right foot down to try and get some movement. She hasn't layed anything since she was ill.
As she seems happy enough we're just giving her time. No idea how long that will be

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

Oh, poor Leggy! :/
Sorry i have no suggestion, at least none better than the vet's. Just make sure you keep her happy, and you could just let her die naturally if you do not want to put her down.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would also try some poultry vitamins in her water or food, just in case of a vitamin deficiency. I hope that is something other than Mareks.

 

[Porcini1951]

Thankyou. We are doing this now. She's so well in every other aspect - even clucking to greet us.
Her left leg just doesn't seem to want to work.

 

[Eggcessive]

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency can cause leg problems, so be sure that your vitamins contain riboflavin.

 

[Porcini1951]

Thank you.
Just looked on the label of the vitamin supplements we have been using (Vital Vits+) and isn't in. Am sending for some now.