Injured Leg (no sign of trauma but not moving) - Is there anything I can do?

[whitneywpanetta]

My husband found our EE hen in the corner of our run. She has a small spot on her head that looks like some feathers have been pulled out, and her right leg is showing no signs of movement or ability to withstand weight. We have checked her leg thoroughly and see no damage to the exterior. Her left leg is responsive in the norma way. She is making no effort to stand or move around. We brought her in, and she is gorging on food and water, and seems alert otherwise. The picture below is what her leg looks like when she is sitting. Excuse her wet feathers. I decided if she was going to be inside I would give her a quick rinse. We are assuming she got into a fight with another hen (she is bottom girl in the coop).

Questions:
1. Is it likely a torn tendon if there is zero movement? Would a sprain show more movement?
2. Is this the end of the line for her, or is there hope it will heal?
3. If she can heal, what is the best way to help it heal properly?

Her head has been applied with neosporin and electrolytes have been added to her food. We will be keeping her inside until she shows progress/we decide another fate is necessary. Thanks for the help! This is a new situation for us.

Additional info: No sign of swelling, broken bones, is moving both wings and left foot fine, has no interest in attempting to walk or move from one spot, hasn't laid in a month or so after 4-5 months of regular laying.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to say, its sounds like partial paralysis to me. We just had a chick suffer from paralysis and she laid down in a similar manner to yours. She lost ability in one leg at first, and then in the other. Paralysis can be caused by eating something toxic like heavy metals or poison, or by diseases like marek's, as well as injuries.

It could be an injury from a fight, but with no sign of swelling, warm spots, or gashes I would think it would have to be something to do with the nerve that goes to the leg.

I hope she gets better soon!

 

[whitneywpanetta]

I appreciate the response! We keep our 5 chickens in a closed run/coop space. With the number of hawks we have flying around we mostly keep them in the run. Because of that I doubt she got into poison or heavy metals. Which means it could be Marek's, although I really hope that isn't the case, it doesn't sound like a good prognosis. After being inside for an hour or so and a few additional inspections, it looks like she has some movement from her hip to her knee joint. Whether she is choosing not to move it because of pain, or has little ability to move it, I'm not sure. As I was moving her to her pen inside for the night, I thought I saw some toe movement, although she doesn't want to grip with either foot (though she has full ability in her left foot). I will continue to monitor her and update if there are improvements.

Questions:
1. If it is Marek's it seems like my whole flock will have also been exposed based on what i have read. All my hens/rooster are 14-30 months old. All where bought from backyard breeders, so I doubt they were vaccinated, but they were all on chick feed for the recommended amount of time (which I know has medicine in it). Is it likely to take out our flock? I'm assuming there are no preventative measures if they have all been exposed?
2. Could it be a slipped or torn tendon? If she was in a fight could she have pulled something and just not showing signs of movement due to pain?

 

[GitaBooks]

It could certainly be a tear or a sprain of some kind. However, in these cases a chicken usually attempts to walk but can't due to the pain. In partial paralysis, they try to use their leg, they can even partially use their leg/foot, but they can get it to do what they want.

My paralyzed chick was the only one that showed symptoms, the others are perfectly healthy. We had to euthanize her, since she showed no progress towards getting better, and I was afraid it was contagious.

Some flocks live with marek's without showing any symptoms, it isn't always a killer, so there isn't any need to panic. Also, your chicken could just be injured, I just wanted to explore every option.

Here are some really good links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/741957/not-an-emergency-mareks-in-the-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq



Best of luck!

 

[whitneywpanetta]

Update:

She still isn't using her right leg. Periodically she flaps her wings and uses her left leg to try to reposition, otherwise I have seen no attempt to stand. She has been panting and breathing heavily all morning, I have only found two poops from her since last night (around 7:30) both where fairly watery, but otherwise normal color. Her crop doesn't feel firm or full, doesn't appear to be egg bound. She is drinking and eating still, although has slowed down some since last night. I am drop feeding her baby aspirin dissolved in water to see if that helps her. Electrolytes and vitamins have been added to a mix of corn, layer pellets, and ground up hard boiled eggs with the shells.

I have some antibiotics on hand. Should I jump to giving her this or wait to see what else develops? I don't want to unnecessarily medicate her.

 

[GitaBooks]

Is it really hot where she is kept? Could she be having trouble breathing?

 

[whitneywpanetta]

She is sitting indoors with me, the temperature is around 78. She is panting/breathing heavily, but I hear no sign of wheezing, etc. She has been attempting to flap around a little bit, she might be over stressing herself.

 

[whitneywpanetta]

Here is an updated picture. Her comb has been looking pale, but if I adjust her, or she moves around, it goes back red. She picks at her food, but is still panting heavily. I have continued to give her water and water mixed with aspirin with a dropper. Not sure if it is best just to let her rest, or continue to entice her with food/water. She has not pooped since this morning around 7. Should I give her any other supplements, is there anything that could help her poop?

 

[GitaBooks]

After some research, I read that hens with arthritis sometimes pant and will lay in one spot. Here is the link I got it from: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/36069/chicken-panting-whats-wrong

 

[whitneywpanetta]

Thanks for chiming in, it helps to have thoughts from other people. There is so much to weed through in the web. I am doubting it is arthritis because she is only a year old. I'm thinking it is probably an injured leg or paralysis. I'm continuing to monitor her, I just wish I knew exactly what to do for her. I am concerned she hasn't pooped in awhile, the panting and paled comb can't be a good sign. I guess I will just continue to wait it out, and ensure she is getting enough food, water, and isn't over heated.