Need help, chick not able to stand on one foot

[Momma2Five]

Hi!



I'm hoping y'all can help me. We have 5 RIR chicks about 10 weeks old, bought from a local breeder. We keep them in a tractor with a coop upstairs.



About a week ago, one chick started limping. I checked her foot (both actually) for any signs of Bumblefoot or any injury. Both feet looked fine. Been checking her several times a day as she seems to be getting worse, not being able to put weight on the foot, but actually walking on the KNEE, not the foot. She falls over. Her foot seems to be curling inward.



She will eat and drink if we separate her from the other chicks who trample on her. She seems fine otherwise, no other symptoms. No other chick has anything like this.



The way this chick holds her foot, it seems broken, but when I touch it, it feels fine and she doesn't act like it hurts. I have some pictures, but I'm not sure I can post them.



Thank you for ANY help! I don't know how to help her! I am giving her fresh organic comfrey leaves and comfrey tea with Colloidal Silver, organic chick starter, grit and DE.

 

[CMV]

Does she have a slipped tendon?

 

[Momma2Five]

Hi, THANK YOU for replying!!!

I'm not sure. How would I tell?

Her foot is useless, it just hangs there and the foot is curling inward. She walks on the KNEE, not the foot. It's only one leg with no visible or palpable signs of injury.

 

[leadwolf1]

For the slipped tendon, feel both legs at the knee...at the back, there is a tendon, feels like a small cord. Both should be seated in the furrows at the back of the knee...if one is wiggly and out of place, you will be able to feel it.

If that isn't the case, please check threads for Marek's disease. Your chick is showing suspicious symptoms.

 

[Momma2Five]

Thank you!

I'm pretty sure it's not Marek's, she shows no other signs and this has been over a week. No other chicks so any signs either.

So, if it's a tendon, what's the treatment, splint?

 

[leadwolf1]

Marek's can manifest itself in many ways and symptoms in the others can take months to show. I've never dealt with a slipped tendon except in a newly hatched chick so I'm not sure what the treatment would be. I'm guessing that you would have to put the tendon back in place and use something to keep it there until it stays on its own.

As for Marek's, I have seen it all. I've lost 30 + chickens in the last 10 months.

 

[Momma2Five]

Oh my goodness! More than 30 chicks??

I've read and read about Marek's and I'm just not sure if this is the problem. How long does it take to progress? Slow or fast?
She's been limping for about a week and definitely getting worse, but she's perky and eating and walking with no other symptoms but her foot.

How can I know for sure if it's Marek's or not without a vet?

Thank you!

 

[leadwolf1]

I have lost 30 + chickens ranging in age from 12 weeks - 14 months. It is devastating. I could give you the names of each one

Marek's can't be diagnosed without a necropsy. The nerves and organs must be examined to make a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes, Marek's can appear to kill fast, other times, slowly. It can take weeks for the paralysis to progress. They continue to eat and drink normally. Sometimes, they eat and eat and just waste away. Other times, since major organs can be involved, it can kill fast. But, underneath, the bird has tumors in major organs.

Try vitamin therapy for your chick. Give it .5mls of poly vi sol, without iron per day...plus 400 ius of vitamin E twice daily. You just snip off the end of the tablet and squeeze right into the beak.

Keep an eye on her. Isolate and keep her quiet and comfortable. Check for the slipped tendon and treat if necessary. Any other questions, feel free to ask

 

[Momma2Five]

Thank you SO much!!! I'm so sorry you've lost your chicks. I appreciate your help.