Hen has flipped possible brain damage

[keesmom]

Hi Henry! Yes, that's the same pose that my silkie chick took when she had wry neck. She'd put her head so far between her feet that she'd flip on her back. I think this girl may have more swelling but I hope with time and TLC it will get better. If you want to try vitamins get some poly-vi-sol WITHOUT iron.

Between picking them up, caring for them for a few weeks and now this I'm really going to owe you!

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
Don't worry about it in a few years I can get a good start in LF salmons from you!

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
No she was in her own separate cage away from any other birds.

 

[MotherJean]

From Dr. Barbara Oglesbee:

"Ataxia may occur due to disorders of the nervous system or musculoskeletal system. Nervous system disorders often result in an inability of the brain to perceive the position of the limbs, body or head in space or an inability of the brain to coordinate movement. This may occur as a result of damage to the spinal cord, inner ear or brain. The spinal cord carries information to the brain about the relative position or placement of the body, wings, head and legs...Birds with musculoskeletal damage may also appear uncoordinated, as the muscles are unable to respond properly to signals from the brain. This may occur with deficiencies of nutrients such as calcium, vitamin E or selenium or electrolyte disorders. Birds that are extremely weak from chronic diseases also appear ataxic. Ataxia is always a sign of serious disease warranting veterinary attention."

And, of course, serious diseases, like Mareks, can produce such symptoms in its advanced stages when lesions on the brain or tumors disrupt vital organ function in liver, kidneys, pancreas, and parathyroid gland.

Given your statement that the previous owner reported, "...head had been very bloody and swollen after the [eye] injury..." I think it points to a probable diagnosis of brain damage either from the injury or from disease. Isn't odd that the previous owner would say this bird was "recovering well," yet unable to walk?

I'm curious. Why did you decide to take this bird?

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
I took the bird because I am transporting birds up to Massachusetts for someone else its a long story. I believe that the hen was recovering well she could walk alright I overstated that she couldn't walk when I first got her she was able to move but more slowly then normal birds but I attributed this to her being newly blind in one eye and wanting to check everything out before moving. She was able to eat and drink and also walk slowly. This is not Mareks! She has lived normally without issue for at least 9 months there. The bird was transported by the owner to me and I feel like she might have been stressed during transport to our meeting place and that could have caused her inability to walk. I truly believe she was recovering and that she may still recover. This bird was kept in very good condition in her previous home by a well respected breeder. The breeder was getting out of blue faverolles and that is another reason I accepted the hen. The hens eye was about to open at her previous home and that was what warranted her statement that the hen was "recovering well". I will cull the bird if necessary but because several other people have suggested that this is wry neck and the hen seems not to be in pain I will give her a week to recover. She may well be Ataxic due to her injury but we will see.

 

[MotherJean]

Good luck in your endeavor. Please come back and update us on the outcome. I'd be very interested to know how it goes.

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
Thanks I will!

 

[hcammack]

She seems to be getting better! I gave her some more Vitamin E and fed her a bit of yogurt and feed mixed and gave her water. She is getting stronger and is able to lift her head up and swallow and clucks and struggles when I move her to much she is very sweet about being fed and watered with a small syringe she clucks and gets really calm when I feed her. I am hope she recovers more and more each day.

Henry

 

[chickenzoo]

Best wishes to both of you.

 

[MotherJean]

That's good to hear. Hope she gets better each day and soon starts eating and drinking on her own.