Lethargic chick NEED HELP

[hooligan]

Tonight we went by Atwoods to see if there were any chicks that needed help and we found a bantam that could not use one of its legs so we bougth it and have it here now. Within the last hour it will not eat or drink so I have been dripping sugar water into its beak. It is also now just lying and occassionally gasping (it just began to cheep again). I know what the outcome is probably going to be here but if anyone has any adice on what I can do to keep this chick going I would greatly appreciate it.
I have it on a Hot Hands packet with a shirt surrounding both. It keeps lolling over tot he side if just let be so I have it propped on to its tummy and nestled to keep warm.

 

[tiki244]

sounds like your doing what you can. best wishes

 

[airmom1c05]

Is it the left leg it can't use?

 

[hooligan]

YEp, it was the left...now its both.

 

[airmom1c05]

OK. I read about Marecks and Chicken Pneumonia today. One of them starts with paralysis on the left leg then wing. Next the right leg soon followed by the right wing. If it reaches the neck, which is next, there is no hope left. Was this chick vaccinated for Mareck's?

 

[hooligan]

Chances are, no. Atwoods gets their chicks from Ideal and I doubt they pay the extra to have them vac'd.
We have it back under the heat ligth now and laying in a "hollowed out" tshirt so it won't go squirming about.

 

[airmom1c05]

I emailed someone on the forum whose site name I can't remember, but anyway this is what she emailed back to me regarding Mareck's:

When my Mildred got sick last year I was desperate. I
called every vet and every university poultry
department I could find. It turned out that the
countries top Mareks expert was in Afghanistan
advising their government on safe poultry management.
I convinced them to give me his e-mail. He helped me
all the way from the other side of the world. He and
others all told me that there was a 95% chance Mildred
would die. Well, I guess the other 95% don't get
intensive care and hand fed if necessary because
Midred is alive and kicking. She walks with a limp
and doesn't stand as upright as she used to, but she
beat the odds. All of my other birds were exposed,
but none have gotten sick. The odds are good that I
might never have another problem, but I won't risk it.
All new babies will be vaccinated!! The one positive
thing about Mareks is that there is no pain involved.
The most common form of Mareks (the type vaccinated
for) is a type of paralysis. It almost always starts
on the left side. First the left leg and then the
wing. Next comes the right side. Lastly, the neck
becomes paralyzed. If it gets as far as the neck, it
is hopeless because eating & drinking become
impossible and the paralyzed areas take weeks to
recover. It tooks weeks of special care and rehab for
Mildred to regain use of her left side. Sorry to go
on, but I like to let people know that there is
sometimes hope with some of these "fatal" diseases.

 

[hooligan]

Where did she go to have her bird tested for Mareks? Many diseases mimic it. We had a broiler roo here that we thought had Mareks, but after a round of antibiotics for his gangrene dermatitis he started to try using his legs again...sadly one of our dogs got loose int he housw while we were gone and killed him.
None of the other chicks with this one were having any problems, so I am hoping it isn't Mareks in a chick so young.

 

[airmom1c05]

I found the right person!!!! horsejody can tell you exactly what she did to save Mildred. Check her out!

 

[ruth]

Try scrambled egg - rich in protein and nutrients. I feed it to all my babies - the love it once they try it. If it won't eat - beat up egg yolk and drop it in beak with medicine dropper - slowly, being careful not to drown it. I had to hand feed Ruth who had a twisted neck and leg paralysis in both legs and she is alive and well and runs with the rest of the pack and lays beautiful green eggs. Also give it some liquid baby vitamins directly in beak. Say a prayer and believe in miracles.