My chicken is paralysed.please help

[Benny Rocadas]

Hi My 18 month Sussex Dora became sick 4 days ago. Not eating or drinking and isolating herself became alarmed since she Has been always very active and curious(hence the name Dora)
I brought her in the garage in a cage and started giving her electrolytes with a dropper and yogurt.
I noticed that she was pooping diarrhea with the yogurt very visible and the poop smelled so bad!!
She is bone and skin and because she has been molting has less feathers than usual.
She was weak but walking on the first 2 days then her feet /legs became paralyzed and her toes were curled in .She can not hold herself up. She is eating if I put the food in front of her and she is alert when awake. Since yesterday we noticed the she appears to have some difficulty seeing. Her eyes are not glazed but are one of different colors which honestly I don't know if it was like that from day one. She also does not make a sound. Tried taking her to the only vet in my area that treats chickens but there was no available appointment Friday or Saturday and honestly I did not think she would survive the weekend. can someone help me? Could it be Marek's ? Her poop no longer smells bad.
I have been giving her water from cooked rice.
I love my Dora and would hate to loose her.....

 

[Naki]

I've dealt with a few cases of tick paralysis. Its hard to tell if a chicken has it because a tick is so hard to find. If you can find and remove a tick you could buy her some time. Maybe enough for a vet to get some antibiotics into her. Sorry I can't help more or at all. But I have seen this in other animals.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your hen is struggling.

It does sound like Marek's to me. One of my birds lived 2 weeks paralyzed and was recovered except the paralysis, which I then had to cull for because I don't have that kind of time or energy to devote. But I have heard of some people who make like a sling to support the chicken which does eventually learn to walk again but several MONTHS later.

Couple suggestion, if you wanna try... I her selenium and vitamin C and vitamin E, those 3 together are supposed to really help combat it. Personally, since I breed and have a huge investment into my flock... after my first experience, if I see any signs of Marek's... I cull. It's a bit more of a livestock perspective than a pet. But I just cannot afford to let it wipe my flock out. And it's a very difficult decision each time.

It may be something different for you though! Mine did NOT come on slow with the bird first isolating. My birds started having trouble walking and others noticed and started picking on them. They would have been killed by the flock much sooner without my intervention. Not all the symptoms were showing so I tried very hard to be in denial that Marek's could be at my place.

It (Marek's) may be in your flock, but not rear it's ugly head until someone has a weakened immune system... say from worms, molting, or other stressful situations.

Hope your hen feels better and the rest of your flock is well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I noticed that she was pooping diarrhea with the yogurt very visible and the poop smelled so bad!!...bone and skin and because she has been molting...weak but walking on the first 2 days then her feet /legs became paralyzed and her toes were curled in...Since yesterday we noticed the she appears to have some difficulty seeing. Her eyes are not glazed but are one of different colors which honestly I don't know if it was like that from day one.

Hi @Benny Rocadas Welcome to BYC

I'm sorry to hear your hen is not doing well.

Can you post some photos of the poop, her eyes and how she is laying down?
If you can take a fresh fecal sample to the vet for testing of worms, coccidiosis and a gram stain for bacterial infection that would be good too.

It does sound like Marek's and the symptoms were brought on by the stress of molting. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
There are other illnesses and conditions that can look a lot like Marek's so without testing it's hard to know. Could she possibly have consumed something rotten, moldy, maggots, toxins like fertilizer/weed killer, etc.?

There is no cure for Marek's - the only thing you can do is try to provide supportive care and see how she does - offer Poultry Vitamins that contain B Vitamins or you can crush a human B-Complex tab (no iron) and add it daily to her feed. See that she is staying hydrated first, then offer food - you can add extras like egg or tuna to try to entice her.

Some people do use a sling to keep them more upright - if she will tolerate it, that may be something to consider doing for short periods of monitored times.
If you happen to lose her, sending the body to your state lab for testing/necropsy will help give you some answers.

This will give you an idea of how a sling is made - if you Google "chicken sling" you find a lot of images.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Hello, it's so hard to tell what is ailing her without fecal sample testing. There are several things that can cause paralysis.

Botulism is just one of them. Symptoms are as follows:
* Diarrhea
* Full-body paralysis, characterized by a limp neck
* Lethargy
* Panting
* Ruffled Feathers

Early symptoms are similar to Marek's. Mild cases may resolve themselves, but in severe situations antibiotics such as bacitracin, or streptomycin can help. Keep birds cool in recovery to slow spread of bacteria.

"Treating the Sick or Injured Chicken" Amelia Barrows, copyright 2012

This is all I can contribute, hope it is helpful information. Try to find another vet, they should make room for your pet if it is an emergency! I would call back and emphasize the urgency to them.

God's Blessings to you and your little hen.

 

[Eggcessive]

Just curious, have you added any new birds in recent months who could have been a carrier, but not showing symptoms? Her condition sounds like Mareks, but if it is in the environment from birth, they tend to get symptoms much earlier than yours. Riboflavin deficiency can cause curled toe paralysis which can become permanent if not treated early. Mareks can also cause that. The ocular form of Mareks can cause gradual color change in the iris of the eye eventually turning it grey. The pupil can also be affected with a pinpoint pupil or an irregular-shaped pupil. Picture of her eyes and how she lays may be helpful. Until you decide how to proceed, WR's suggestion of a chick chair is good, and place food and water within her reach. Sorry she is so ill.

 

[Benny Rocadas]

I've dealt with a few cases of tick paralysis. Its hard to tell if a chicken has it because a tick is so hard to find. If you can find and remove a tick you could buy her some time. Maybe enough for a vet to get some antibiotics into her. Sorry I can't help more or at all. But I have seen this in other animals.

Hi thank you so much for your reply. After reading more about Marek's I think that it's what she has. Thank you again

 

[Benny Rocadas]

Hi @Benny Rocadas Welcome to BYC

I'm sorry to hear your hen is not doing well.

Can you post some photos of the poop, her eyes and how she is laying down?
If you can take a fresh fecal sample to the vet for testing of worms, coccidiosis and a gram stain for bacterial infection that would be good too.

It does sound like Marek's and the symptoms were brought on by the stress of molting. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
There are other illnesses and conditions that can look a lot like Marek's so without testing it's hard to know. Could she possibly have consumed something rotten, moldy, maggots, toxins like fertilizer/weed killer, etc.?

There is no cure for Marek's - the only thing you can do is try to provide supportive care and see how she does - offer Poultry Vitamins that contain B Vitamins or you can crush a human B-Complex tab (no iron) and add it daily to her feed. See that she is staying hydrated first, then offer food - you can add extras like egg or tuna to try to entice her.

Some people do use a sling to keep them more upright - if she will tolerate it, that may be something to consider doing for short periods of monitored times.
If you happen to lose her, sending the body to your state lab for testing/necropsy will help give you some answers.

This will give you an idea of how a sling is made - if you Google "chicken sling" you find a lot of images.
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View attachment 1161143

Hi thank you so much for your advise .I now am almost sure that she has Marek's.one of her eyes is gray the other is normal. I have 4 hens they live in a very large coop and run, both areas are cleaned Every single Day and every 2 weeks I change all the bedding in the coop. They get fresh water every day I never give them spoiled food.
She was broody for 3 weeks and 2 days back in July but became her own self after that. I am raising my girls under the radar....So it makes it harder. I too do not have the time to care for her if she becomes permanently disabled. I will call the vet tomorrow and see if I can bring her in. The only emergency hospital that would see her is very expensive charging 300 dollars just to get in the door.
I am devastated ....What are the chances of my other 3 girls to become ill? They all seem fine.

 

[Benny Rocadas]

Just curious, have you added any new birds in recent months who could have been a carrier, but not showing symptoms? Her condition sounds like Mareks, but if it is in the environment from birth, they tend to get symptoms much earlier than yours. Riboflavin deficiency can cause curled toe paralysis which can become permanent if not treated early. Mareks can also cause that. The ocular form of Mareks can cause gradual color change in the iris of the eye eventually turning it grey. The pupil can also be affected with a pinpoint pupil or an irregular-shaped pupil. Picture of her eyes and how she lays may be helpful. Until you decide how to proceed, WR's suggestion of a chick chair is good, and place food and water within her reach. Sorry she is so ill.

Thank you. I now am almost sure she has Marek's. Will bring her to the vet tomorrow if
I can get an appointment. I am afraid Iam going to loose her...Until then iam feeding her and making sure she drinks.

 

[Benny Rocadas]

Just curious, have you added any new birds in recent months who could have been a carrier, but not showing symptoms? Her condition sounds like Mareks, but if it is in the environment from birth, they tend to get symptoms much earlier than yours. Riboflavin deficiency can cause curled toe paralysis which can become permanent if not treated early. Mareks can also cause that. The ocular form of Mareks can cause gradual color change in the iris of the eye eventually turning it grey. The pupil can also be affected with a pinpoint pupil or an irregular-shaped pupil. Picture of her eyes and how she lays may be helpful. Until you decide how to proceed, WR's suggestion of a chick chair is good, and place food and water within her reach. Sorry she is so ill.

No I have not. I have 4 hens all same age. Will try appointment with vet in the morning.
Do you know if Marek's has to be reported. I am raising my girls under the radar....