okay I am desperate rooster is no better

[dac63]

My banty silkie rooster is no better . He is not eating now and really does'nt want to drink even when I dip his beak in the medicated water. I added sugar to it also. He can't stand and doesn't even try to move his legs which makes me think they are paralized. His toes are curled underalso. I have soaked them put antibiotic ointment on them . I have used sulfamet and now am using teramicyn. I don't know what to do now and I can't kill him. I have never killed something before. Can anyone suggest something. should I try and put him in a sling? He is only about 4 years old. If I give him an aspirin how much do I use? Please any help would be appreciated. Donna dac63

 

[peepsnbunnies]

I would try feeding him with a syringe. When I had a sick hen, I made a soup out of laying mash mixed with chicken vitamin/elelctrolyte water and fed it to her 5 or 6 times a day for a couple of days. I also gave her water with the syringe to make sure she did not get dehydrated. I don't know why his toes would be paralyzed and his toes curled.

ANYBODY ELSE ON THIS SITE EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE?

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Donna, have you checked him for mites? Mites can literally drain the life out of a chicken if not treated.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I am lost as to the history on this bird and why/what you are medicating for (btw you should never add anything but the medication to the waterer...not even sugar)...how long did you have him on the sulfa? Why dod you think terramycin will help and what are his symptoms now (and basic history incl feed is he free ranging etc.)... giving him the one med after another is perhaps not a good idea unless you are sure he needs it... paralysis does not necessarily mean he is in pain and as aspirin is hard on the kidneys I would not give it unless you know there is an inflammation/pain issue that is stressing him out.

 

[dac63]

Thank you for your posting. I had originally posted in all things chickens. I only got one answer, who did not know what to do either, but it was nice that they responded to my post. I looked through different posts and started trying some of the things that were used by people with similar problems. One suggestion was on bumble foot, but i see no sign of it . This chickens parent was sick about a month ago and it started with a limp and he died in 5 days. I posted this also. This guy looked like he had been fighting as there were peck marks on his comb. I thought maybe it was nuerological if the other rooster was pecking on his head, but if that was the case he probably wouldn;t just have the paralysis in the legs. So after four postings this is where I am and I don't know what to do next . I have had chickens for years and as you know often something will crop up and you end up with an ill or injured bird, but this has me baffled. We don't have vets in this area that takes care of chickens. I have 11 cochins . one frizzled rooster , and this banty silkie cross and a silkie hen. Thanks for your interest you don't know how I appreciated it. Is virgil still around? He helped me with a little hen once. Donna Donna

 

[dlhunicorn]

how does it start...I am thinking it may be Mareks unfortunately...however, it could also be a plant or something the bird is eating, or perhaps a mycotoxin... there are just so many things that cause paralysis (I am assuming this is what happened to the parent bird that you are seeing the same symptoms in this bird???)... if you could give me in as much detail the exact symptoms...how it starts and has progressed...also what the weather is like there and if the bird is free ranging...what it has been eating (type of feed)...
Another thing is this...if it is hot and there is a pond or water source that is drying up that also might be the culprit...
There are also some other various leg disorders (so outside bumblefoot and toxic challenge) ... this article sums up some of them quite nicely and gives tips on management of birds with leg problems:
http://www.asasea.com/po15_95.html
(excerpt)
..."Leg Weakness
Disorders involving leg weakness are a persistent problem in commercial poultry operations around the world. Leg problems in poultry are associated with many causes including nutrition, genetics, virus infection, environment. The problem is widespread with 2 to 6% of all commercial chickens displaying some sort of problem. Descriptions of the more common problems are given:
Viral arthritis
Also called tenosynovitis. Reovirus infection is considered the main cause of the problem with secondary Staphylococcus aureus infection. The disease is not nutritional in origin but may occur along with malabsorption syndrome. The condition results in severe lameness that reduces ability of the bird to move causing malnutrition and stunting. Swelling of the shanks and hock can be observed as early as 10 days but usually develop at 4 to 6 weeks. The swollen area may be filled with clear or bloody fluid or may be hardened and fibrous.

Femoral head necrosis
This condition is also called "brittle bone disease". It appears to be related to reovirus and adenovirus as these are often isolated from affected flocks. Fusarium contamination of ingredients is often observed. Femoral head necrosis is characterized by a severe weakening or disintegration of the head of the femur such that upon necropsy the bone end is easily broken off between the fingers.

Synovitis
This is caused by infection with Mycoplasma synoviae. The major signs are lameness and swelling of the hock joints with cream colored fluid. Eradication has been successful through blood testing of the breeders. Egg transmission can be reduced by dipping of eggs with antibiotic.

Osteomyelitis
This condition is caused by bacterial infection. S. aureus is the major cause with secondary involvement of E. coli and Pasteurella multocida. Invasion of bacteria after toe trimming or by cuts and scratches produce toxins that prevent cartilage formation. Birds often have a hopping gait and the affected area is swollen and warm to the touch. Biosecurity, good hygiene and treatment with antibiotics will reduce problems if caught in the early stages.

Tibial dyschondroplasia
This abnormality occurs primarily at the growth ends of the tibia where a large amount or "plug" of unvascularized cartilage accumulates. TD does not appear to be related to virus infection. Faster growing flocks on a high plane of nutrition are often affected. Acid-base imbalance, high levels of salt, low calcium and excess nitrogen increase severity of TD (Waldroup, 1986). Fusarium mycotoxins such as fusarochromanone and contamination of corn with Fusarium moniliforme increases the incidence of TD (Cook, 1987). Aflatoxin reduces vitamin D absorption and liver damage prevents conversion to the active 25-OH form of vitamin D3. Experimentally, 1, 25- OH vitamin D3 has ben found to prevent TD. Vitamin C has also been found useful. Although TD occurs in other bones, it is most common at the proximal end of the tibia because of high stress at this point. A higher incidence of breast blisters is usually observed in birds with this condition probably because they are spending more time off their feet.

Rickets
A direct result of vitamin D deficiency and low or imbalanced calcium or phosphorus nutrition. Bones are decalcified and weakened causing bowing of the legs and other problems. The growth plate is increased in width and birds appear sluggish and are reluctant to walk. The bones and beaks are soft and rubbery. Mycotoxins are often involved.

Perosis
Also called chondrodystrophy or "slipped tendon". Symptoms include swelling of the hock joint, shortening of the leg bone and gastrocnemius tendon slippage off the condyle. This problem is mostly genetic but may be induced experimentally in diets deficient in one or more of the following nutrients: choline, manganese, zinc, copper, niacin, biotin, pyridoxine, vitamin E, vitamin B12, calcium and phosphorus.

Twisted leg
This very common ailment in broilers is often confused with other problems. One or both legs may be involved. The legs may be bent inward or outward. Litter quality and heat stress seem to play a role. Manganese deficiency worsens the condition whereas high doses of pyridoxine improve the condition (Waldroup, 1986). Dietary tannin from rapeseed meal and high tannin sorghum as well as the high sulfur content in rapeseed and Canola meal interfere with calcium metabolism and increase incidence of this condition (Summers, 1993).


Strategies for reducing incidence of leg problems:
Biosecurity and disease control to eradicate mycoplasma and reduce the indicence of reovirus.

Monitor and reduce contamination of grains, groundnut meal and corn gluten meal with aflatoxin and Fusarium mold.

Calcium and phosphorus sources should be highly bioavailable. Avoid dolomitic limestone containing more than 3% magnesium as this impairs calcium utilization. Phosphate sources should contain less than 0.25% fluoride and defluorinated rock phosphate should contain between 4 to 6% sodium to ensure solubility of phosphorus. Maintain a 2:1 ratio of calcium to available phosphorus for broilers and pullets and 12:1 ratio for layers.

Ensure adequate available levels of all vitamins and trace minerals. Additional vitamin E (up to 150 ppm), biotin (up to 60 ppm) and supplementation with vitamin C (125 ppm) may be useful.

Avoid excess sodium (above 0.30%) and chloride (above 0.40%) in feed.

Avoid water with sodium above 500 ppm, chloride above 500 ppm, nitrogen (as NO3) above 50 ppm and sulfur (as sulfate) above 1000 ppm (Leeson and Summers, 1991).

Monitor sulfur level in feed. This can be a problem when using high levels of rapeseed and/or Canola meals. Total feed sulfur should be less than 0.5%.

Avoid high levels of tannins. Monitor the use of ingredients such as high tannin sorghum, sunflower meal, Canola and rapeseed meals.

Reduce nutrient density in feed to slow growth when persistent problems occur. Avoid amino acid imbalances and excess protein...."

 

[dac63]

Thanks to all who responded to my post . I had just posted again this time at the original site and then went out to check the little guy. His legs were straight behind him and now the flies were starting to go after him I am in Pa. and right now it is pretty hot and humid. As much as I hated it I asked my husband to put him down as I don't think those legs were ever going to work again. He didn't seem to have any fight left and I couldn't watch him suffer any more. Now I just hope none of the others will end up the same as I don't know the cause. Again thanks Donna