Paralysis

[charlotte76]

Hi I have an older hen . Arround 7 who about 5 months ago lost all feeling in one leg and it became floppy . I treated her as if it was broken or a slipped ligament . After about a month she was hoping around well on one leg and eating /drinking and then bout a month ago the other leg went . So now I have her unable to use both legs . I have made a sling and failing giving her Vit b . I syringe her water as she struggles to drink from bowl . She is eating and otherwise looks so well . My question is what next ? More vitamins , if so which and at what dose ? I'm based in UK and so need to be able to get them here . If she wasn't so well in herself I wouldn't let her suffer. I'm thinking something neurological going on , maybe tumour pushing on nerves .

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. Was she vaccinated for Marek's?

 

[charlotte76]

I don't know as she was inherited when we moved house 6 years ago . Initially I thought Mereks but it's been so long and she otherwise well and happy . Also the legs don't seem to position in a way mereks tend to

 

[LaFleche]

When did she last lay an egg?

There seems to be something growing/building up inside which increasingly puts pressure on her ischiatic nerves causing nerve damage and loss of control.
It could be tumours growing, internal laying with increasing build up of yolks or/and infectious matter.
As this has been going on for so long already, I think there is no way to reverse or better this and if she were mine I would put her out of her misery to end the suffering.

I know that my approach may seem insensitive to some, but from my experience I think it is better than letting them stick it out and suffer in silence until the bitter end.

 

[Eggcessive]

Has she laid any eggs recently? I agree she could have something like salpingitis masses or even a tumor pressing on her sciatic nerves in the legs. An injury might have been possible, and Mareks is always a concern. A lot depends on your time and ability to care for a disabled chicken, and your plans if she doesn’t get better. People take vacations or go out of town, and it may be difficult for another to care for her. Looking at her quality of life, and deciding if she is suffering, and whether putting her down would do her a favor are things to think about.