Paralyzed chicken

[KDrake]

We have a sapphire gem pullet. She's about 5 months old. On Thursday night, she wasn't walking very well. She would walk, and then collapse on her butt and stay sitting down. I checked for an egg internally, and didn't feel anything. I gave her a warm soak, dried her off, and let her stay in our bathroom for the night.

She was much worse the next day. Couldn't walk, no balance, would lay down on her side with her legs sticking out. She's alert and seems to eat and drink a little bit, but is not any better. She's been in a dog kennel in the coop. Still laying on her side with her legs sticking out, but holding her head and alert.

I'm worried we're prolonging any suffering. And advice?

 

[Weeg]

Could this be Mareks disease @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @Overo Mare ? I have never seen iIbefore but the being paralyzed makes me think Mareks.

 

[Eggcessive]

At this age I would worry about Mareks disease, but also try to rule out other possible causes. Since you lost another pullet recently from an unknown cause in your last thread, I would try to get a diagnosis if you lose this one. The state poultry labs in most states will perform a necropsy and testing form Mareks. In some states it is a little more difficult. There also is a blood test available for $20 that you can send in to a lab on a live chicken. Here is a link where you can contact them and ask how to get it done:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
And here is a link for your state vet to contact if you want to get a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[KDrake]

At this age I would worry about Mareks disease, but also try to rule out other possible causes. Since you lost another pullet recently from an unknown cause in your last thread, I would try to get a diagnosis if you lose this one. The state poultry labs in most states will perform a necropsy and testing form Mareks. In some states it is a little more difficult. There also is a blood test available for $20 that you can send in to a lab on a live chicken. Here is a link where you can contact them and ask how to get it done:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
And here is a link for your state vet to contact if you want to get a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Thank you for the information!

 

[Eggcessive]

In the link below are various chicken sling designs which can be made easily, and which your chicken can be placed to get them upright and in front of food and water:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/
And a video of a sling:

 

[KDrake]

In the link below are various chicken sling designs which can be made easily, and which your chicken can be placed to get them upright and in front of food and water:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/
And a video of a sling:

Thanks! I'll try to put one together tonight.