I just want to cry!!! ** It was Ovarian Cancer ** UPDATE: Post 40 :(

[steffpeck]

I went out tonight to close the coop door and noticed that one of my favorite chickens was laying there not looking so good. I accidentally pulled the light off the wall and it startled her and she went to walk and she couldn't walk very well. I picked her up and she is SOOO skinny. I held her just the other day and she seemed a little thin, but nothing like she is tonight. I brought her into the house and got her some water with Apple Cider Vinegar in it and some yogurt. And when I laid her down on the floor to give her some water she put her right wing out to try to balance herself and then fell over like this. Is it Mareks??

 

[tim_TX]

Paralysis is one of the symptoms of Marek's , but its also a symptom of others as well. You'll never know for sure unless you have her tested. I have sympathy for you. Her prognosis is not good once she is in this condition.

 

[gallo34]

you did med. for Marek right?

I will PM you some info...

 

[maymiegirl]

Does she move her legs even a tiny bit? I bet she isn't drinking is she. Feel her breast... no meat? How about the drumsticks..no meat there either right? Listen to her lungs. Can you hear a very faint wheezing?

 

[maymiegirl]

My best guess is that she will eat but she will not drink. If you can get ahold of some probiotics--even if it is the kind for goats grab some up at Tractor supply. Add this to some of her food and get her pecking at it. Does she have runs?

Red blood cells build muscle. Her red blood cells are depleted so you need to help her replace them. Enfamil Poly-vi-sol or My choice is Red Cell for horses. It has selenium so you need to be careful when measuring only one even tablespoon per 5 gallons. I give it to all my chickens every day, along with the probiotics. Just in case she picked up any parasites, some Food grade Diatomaceous Earth wouldn't hurt at all--in her bedding and in her food every day. (2% of food)

She doesn't look like you can start treating her with these things until she gets a good shot of Tylan. You can get it orally in a dry form. It's called Tylan 40. If someone has the IV Tylan closeby that would be your best bet.

 

[steffpeck]

maymiegirl - Yes, she does move her legs a little. I have her in a box in the house, and she is trying to move around. I will give her some poly-vi-sol and she has eaten a little bit of plain yogurt and She has drank a little bit when I dip her beak in the yogurt and water. Her poop seems fine. I will have to go get Tylan in the morning. She has hardly any meat on her breast bone. She does have a slight popping sound when she breaths. Do you think it is Mareks or something else?

 

[chickenannie]

Marek's usually has one leg in front, one in back (like a hurdler). Not both together like yours.
She could have malnutrition based on what you've described, especially that she's so thin. Leg weakness can occur purely from malnutrition.
Check carefully for mites, signs of worms, make sure her crop/digestion is OK. Also if bedding is poor, infection can enter through the hocks and cause leg problems.
I have 2 skinny hens because the roosters favor them and over bred them and the hens would hide all day instead of getting something to eat (I took all but one rooster to the butcher today -- problem solved).

 

[steffpeck]

The crazy thing is that just yesterday she was out running around in the yard, eating, drinking. Ugh, why is always the favorites that get sick?

 

[chickenannie]

Might also be injury then... sorry to hear she's a favorite.
Take special care of her for a few days see how her legs do. Hardboil some eggs and feed those to her too, chopped up.

i learned recently from BYC that chickens hide any pain or illness as long as possible... because they are considered "predators" and know they will get picked on by the others if they appear weak.

 

[hinkjc]

When you startled her, did she fly into something that could have caused an injury (spinal/neck)?

Is she able to drink/swallow? If she starts gasping or inability to swallow, I would guess botulism/toxin, but I really am leaning towards injury or malnutrition based solely on the looks of her.