My chicken is paralysed.please help

[Benny Rocadas]

I'm new to chicken illness, but I know Mareks can take different forms... Mine didn't have Mareks, but for clarification, the symptoms I saw were: chicken #1, petite, young, silky pullet - quick onset paralysis (was trying to move legs, but they were barely moving and she was unable to get up or move them well) died within 24 hours (she appeared ok the previous night... We found her late morning, and she was gone early evening); chicken #2, VERY vigorous easter egger - twisted neck(crazy twisted), unable to fly (but initially could move) progressing over several days to more serious paralysis. Sadly, died within hours of receiving the report. Didn't notice curled feet or eye symptoms...
Just posting in case this info could help someone... And I am not against culling if something serious is suspected... In my case, I was leaning towards Marek's (as was the veterinarian when I explained symptoms), and all the chickens would have alrwady been exposed... The vet said not to do anything rash, so we chose to wait and see (but took precautions to avoid possibly transmitting to other locations, feed store, friends with chickens etc.)

Thank you for your advice. I never thought that raising my girls was going to be that stressful...

 

[casportpony]

Thank you for your advice .Please read my last post. We lost Dora....
All my other 3 girls are fine. The vet I took Dora to specializes in birds and was very Kind.we chose not to pursue post mortem biopsy. Thank you .I have learned a lot.

So sorry for your loss. IMO, no need for a necropsy if they have the gray eye and neurological signs. Sadly nothing can be done for Marek's, so you did the right thing. Again, sorry for you loss.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you for your advice. I never thought that raising my girls was going to be that stressful...

 

[sourland]

So very sorry for your loss. The greater the level of caring, the greater the feeling of loss. You did the kind thing for her.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

To all of you that answered my plea for help with my paralyzed hen I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been to sad to talk about it but after about one week and a half I finally found a vet that would see my Dora. Given the signs she was displaying the vet was pretty sure it was Marek's (Dora had paralysis of both legs and wings, only her head/neck and her tail moved. Her right eye was normal but the left was gray and she could not see from it and her swallowing ability was starting to decrease.
There was no way she would recover....So my husband and I made the difficult decision to have put to sleep. So sad. The vet and office people were very kind. My husband took her since I myself had a lot of patients to see. That afternoon I tossed out practically everything that was in contact with her and washed with bleach the cage she was in. I learned a lot from all of you!!Thank you.
We will forever remember our beautiful Dora.

Oh dear....I'm so sorry. You did the best for her out of love. Take comfort in knowing she had a great family and is no longer in pain. Praying for peace and for comfort for you and yours..

 

[WVduckchick]

This is a great fear of us all here. We care about our birds. Unfortunately things happen beyond our control, and make us feel so helpless. Thank you for sharing your heart breaking story. RIP dear Dora.

 

[Ravynscroft]

So very sorry for your loss...
It is absolutely a difficult decision, takes a lot of strength to put their best interests first... RIP, Dora... you were well loved...

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

My heart goes out to you...you will miss your dear little Dora. We have all been where you are, and have felt that sorrow too. And for all those who have just started with their first flock, they too will go through this experience. We are never ready for the loss. I don't know of any way to prepare. No matter how rational and practical one tries to be, the reality is so painful. I cried a river when I lost my roster, "Mr. Bumni", he was my first loss. He is buried here on the property with one of my hens. I cry every time one leaves for God's Gardens. I will never forget them, they were part of our family group.
Yes, you will miss your dear little Dora, but you will never forget her. So sorry she didn't make it. You made the best decision for her, as difficult as it was.

God Bess and peace to you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow, feeling the love here!

So sorry Dora is gone. We can see she won't be forgotten. Thank you for sharing your very difficult journey.

Any chance you care to share a picture of your lovely Dora with us, to remember her by?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Benny Rocadas I'm very sorry to hear about Dora