- Oct 15, 2011
- 96
- 1
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(Final update)
For those who may fnd this thread with the same problem: Good news! With time and a well bedded straw (and some physical therapy) the hen eventually got better. We now suspect some sort of anyrism or other brain issue. She still walks a bit funny and can't fly properly, but she's back with the flock. We tried several nutritional supplements and various home cures, none seemed to make a difference. Just looks like she needed time and a bit of help to learn to walk again.
(Update#2)
She's been better the past few days. Open up the stall so she has the whole space. Builds up more momentum but the walls aren't causing as much damage as the wire mesh. Manages to stand/sit by herself, although very wobbly when she does so. Looks like having the space to move is helping. She still does the gaspy thing, but only when carried or right after being put down. I think I'm just holding her a bit too firmly when she struggles...
(Update)
After the cat incident she started to deteriorate to the point where she could only sit up on her hocks. She would try to stand now and then- resulted in a slapstick-esqe running sideways until she would fall over completely and stuggle to get herself upright. Still in good weight, still looking alert. Well, slighty less alert then before but I have a feeling that has more to do with banging herself up then with being sick. Took off a bit of the tip of her beak and has bruising on the front of it. Probably lots of aches and pains all over fron the tumbles.
Recently she started objecting to being carried and making very gapeworm like motions with head/neck. There's nothing visible, and a swab always comes up clean. (3x) I don't want to treat her for something that she doesn't have because of the stress it could cause. What is the likelyhood that worms could be causing a balence issue?? There's also a bit of slightly orange/rust under her nostrils, and one throat check I noticed a bit of mucus. I don't know if that's unusual turkeys.
As of today she is a little better. Able to stand for a miniute or so (wobbly) and manages to stay up a little longer when 'falling.' Actually managed to stop today without falling! The only thing that's changed is a switch in the brand of electrolytes. From what I can see the ingrediants seem the same though. I'll double check tonight... after I find my glasses. She's been getting more sun and exercise too now that the weather warmed up.
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Before anyone asks, no we do not have a local vet who will work with birds. Nearest one is a city vet (Parrots) who charges an arm and a leg for a consult.
A few weeks ago two of our turkeys started acting odd. Both 3 mo, the first was a tom who was dead lame on one leg. He was confined for 3 days and was well enough to rejoin the flock after that. I suspect the he injured himself jumping down from the roof. (Yes we have tried to keep them off the roof. No, it doesn't work)
The hen looked like she was limping at first, but instead of getting better, got worse.
By day three she was having difficulty staying upright. Honestly the best way to describe her is 'drunk.' She crosses her legs when she turns and constantly trips herself. Has to use her wings to balence, and has fallen over a few times when trying to move about. Other then that she's alert, bright eyed, eats and drinks, no discharge from anywhere, ect. She does shiver though. First I noticed when she soaked herself falling in the water bowl. I gave her a heat lamp and she's fine but unless she's under it she shivers slightly. We did just have a major temp drop though, I don't this she got a chance to adjust at all. She has been in the same condition for a week and a half, no better no worse.
She's still quarentined and confined in a small cage so she spends most of the day lying down.
Any ideas what the heck is wrong? Disease? Injury? Can she come out of quarentine? With the way she is now she could probably free range with the others, but I don't want to risk getting anyone else sick, or making her injury worse, if that's what it is.
For those who may fnd this thread with the same problem: Good news! With time and a well bedded straw (and some physical therapy) the hen eventually got better. We now suspect some sort of anyrism or other brain issue. She still walks a bit funny and can't fly properly, but she's back with the flock. We tried several nutritional supplements and various home cures, none seemed to make a difference. Just looks like she needed time and a bit of help to learn to walk again.
(Update#2)
She's been better the past few days. Open up the stall so she has the whole space. Builds up more momentum but the walls aren't causing as much damage as the wire mesh. Manages to stand/sit by herself, although very wobbly when she does so. Looks like having the space to move is helping. She still does the gaspy thing, but only when carried or right after being put down. I think I'm just holding her a bit too firmly when she struggles...
(Update)
After the cat incident she started to deteriorate to the point where she could only sit up on her hocks. She would try to stand now and then- resulted in a slapstick-esqe running sideways until she would fall over completely and stuggle to get herself upright. Still in good weight, still looking alert. Well, slighty less alert then before but I have a feeling that has more to do with banging herself up then with being sick. Took off a bit of the tip of her beak and has bruising on the front of it. Probably lots of aches and pains all over fron the tumbles.
Recently she started objecting to being carried and making very gapeworm like motions with head/neck. There's nothing visible, and a swab always comes up clean. (3x) I don't want to treat her for something that she doesn't have because of the stress it could cause. What is the likelyhood that worms could be causing a balence issue?? There's also a bit of slightly orange/rust under her nostrils, and one throat check I noticed a bit of mucus. I don't know if that's unusual turkeys.
As of today she is a little better. Able to stand for a miniute or so (wobbly) and manages to stay up a little longer when 'falling.' Actually managed to stop today without falling! The only thing that's changed is a switch in the brand of electrolytes. From what I can see the ingrediants seem the same though. I'll double check tonight... after I find my glasses. She's been getting more sun and exercise too now that the weather warmed up.
----------------------------------------------
Before anyone asks, no we do not have a local vet who will work with birds. Nearest one is a city vet (Parrots) who charges an arm and a leg for a consult.
A few weeks ago two of our turkeys started acting odd. Both 3 mo, the first was a tom who was dead lame on one leg. He was confined for 3 days and was well enough to rejoin the flock after that. I suspect the he injured himself jumping down from the roof. (Yes we have tried to keep them off the roof. No, it doesn't work)
The hen looked like she was limping at first, but instead of getting better, got worse.
By day three she was having difficulty staying upright. Honestly the best way to describe her is 'drunk.' She crosses her legs when she turns and constantly trips herself. Has to use her wings to balence, and has fallen over a few times when trying to move about. Other then that she's alert, bright eyed, eats and drinks, no discharge from anywhere, ect. She does shiver though. First I noticed when she soaked herself falling in the water bowl. I gave her a heat lamp and she's fine but unless she's under it she shivers slightly. We did just have a major temp drop though, I don't this she got a chance to adjust at all. She has been in the same condition for a week and a half, no better no worse.
She's still quarentined and confined in a small cage so she spends most of the day lying down.
Any ideas what the heck is wrong? Disease? Injury? Can she come out of quarentine? With the way she is now she could probably free range with the others, but I don't want to risk getting anyone else sick, or making her injury worse, if that's what it is.
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