HEN SEEMS DISORIENTED WITH NECK STRETCHED OUTWARD, HARD TO WALK DIZZY.

[MINDANAO DAVE]

Hello, I have a native Philippine hen over 1 year old that is having trouble standing with neck stretched out and seems disoriented. She is real wobbly when walking like she is dizzy and she just doesn`t act like herself. Anyone have any ideas what may be going on? Thanks

 

[dawg53]

It might be botulism. She will have to necropsied at a lab to find out exactly what's going on.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

Thanks so much. Here in The Philippines they barely have a qualified pet vet. However she was so bad I decided to kill her or cure her so I gave her one injection of anti bacterial, a sulfa by mouth and also a tad of Tylenol for her temp. I also had an expensive antibotic for my kids and I also gave her this by mouth. I did not expect to wake up and see her alive but she was alive and seemed much better. No extended neck and she was oriented as to where she was. I then put her in the pen and she was agitated but could run and walk fine. Not sure what she had but she is nearly normal. Now any ideas of what she may of had???

Thanks
Dave

 

[Akrnaf2]

If the antibiotic helped the conclusion is that she have had som kind of a bacterial infection, Botulism is also a disease caused by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, but the damaged from this bacterium is caused by a neural toxin that this bacterium secret,so antibiotics will not help in this case because even that you could kill the bacterium by antibiotics you can't get reed from the toxin.
I would suggest that you will enrich her diet by some extra animal protein( boiled eggs, tuna fish, shredded cheese, dry cat food ec.) give her some vitamins and mineral, but the must important is to give her some probiotics! It could be yogurt, fermented feed or a capsule of human probiotics opened and spread on her feed.
You also must check here for some fungal infection especially in her crop,du to the antibiotics that you gave here, if you see any singes of impaction in the crop you could give here Copper Sulfate 0.5 gram/. 1 liter drinking water for 5 days.
Good luck!

 

[seminolewind]

Did I ever hear of diluted molasses help flush a botulism toxin out?

 

[Akrnaf2]

Did I ever hear of diluted molasses help flush a botulism toxin out?

The botulinum toxin works on the neuro - muscular junction,( the synapse) it blocks the secretion of Acetylcholin from the presynaptic cell and this causes a total relaxation of the skeletal muscles,= death from loosing the ability to breath.
The synapse is located outside from the blood system so I can't think for any reason how molasses can get Through the intestine wall and the blood vessel in tact, and reach the synapse!
But what do I know? Every thing is possible!

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I have no idea how molasses would work. Maybe someone else here knows more. I've just read it on this forum somewhere!

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

I have been fairly new here but wow what interesting observations. I can honestly say it is a pleasure to be a part of such great and knowledgeable people. I have over 100 chickens and only started out with 20 but I guess they are addictive, especially being retired and living in The Philippines. Thanks Everyone for your help. She is still doing pretty good but seems irritated when I approach with body posturing and a snarly growl. but them I medicated her from most every end so maybe I would feel the same. I have been continuing her antibiotic and her last was today. She eats and drinks fine but stays secluded from the rest of the flock by laying in the nesting box all day.

Thanks Everyone
Dave

 

[seminolewind]

I have been fairly new here but wow what interesting observations. I can honestly say it is a pleasure to be a part of such great and knowledgeable people. I have over 100 chickens and only started out with 20 but I guess they are addictive, especially being retired and living in The Philippines. Thanks Everyone for your help. She is still doing pretty good but seems irritated when I approach with body posturing and a snarly growl. but them I medicated her from most every end so maybe I would feel the same. I have been continuing her antibiotic and her last was today. She eats and drinks fine but stays secluded from the rest of the flock by laying in the nesting box all day.

Thanks Everyone
Dave

Are you sure this hen is not broody? Staying in the box and growling and posturing sound broody to me. And I know if you pick her up and put her out, broodies usually are reluctant to move for a few minutes and look like they can't walk.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

The hen has been broody for a week and actually was setting at one point but then she would leave and I would find her setting in different nests. But her neck was stretched outward when I first noticed the problem, breathing heavy and when she tried to get to the perch she fell as her vision and balance was way off, even after giving her the meds it took her two days to finally get her bearings. But wow she has turned into the hen from hell. She chases setting hens right off their nest even if she has to fight. She may set for a day and up and running to the next nest. She was a good hen and already raised 9 chicks and was a great mom so not to sure what is happening.

Thanks All
Dave