Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum but I have been through almost all the threads regarding silkies, silkie colors and injuries. So I'm what some people call, a lurker.
Unfortunately I now find myself in a position where I need some help. My weimaraner got into my silkies' coop Tuesday evening. She brought one of my 6 months old roosters to the window, trying to bring it inside. She immediately let go of him when I told her so, and he was still alive!
There are no external injuries, though he is paralyzed on the left leg. I'm not sure if it's a nerve compression issue, spinal cord injury, broken pelvis or something else. There doesn't seem to be anything broken or dislocated. I went searching on the 'net and read almost all of the threads on paralyzed chickens. What I have done so far since Tuesday:
- isolated him in the garden shed with a heath lamp
- have been administering multivitamins immediately (daily) these are the ingredients:
Nutritional additives: Vit. A 3.010.000 IU / IU / UI, White. B1 1,800 mg, White. B2 3,200 mg, Niacin 13,000 mg, Pantothenic Acid 3,300 mg, Vit. B6 690 mg, Folic acid 33 mg, Vit. B12 4,300 μg, White. C 60,000 mg, White. D3 2.210 IU / IU / UI, White. E 3000 IU / IU / UI, White. K 190 mg.
- gave him ORS (200 ml water, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt) the first two days
- he's on meloxicam 2ml (the 0,5ml kind for cats) a day
- i'm feeding him egg yolk, scrambled egg, cooked egg, regular pellets, dried shrimp (he does seem to be only wanting to eat the egg)
- made him a sling today
- gave him a bath to clean his behind (he does seem to be having diarrhea)
Is the multivitamin enough regarding the vitamins needed for regeneration of the nerves? I've been reading up and have read about the B-complex and vitamin E. I do have vitamin E on hand but for my horses, I'm not sure if it's safe for chickens?
How much does he need to be in the sling? For the night I have taken him out of it. Or should he still be resting and not be in the sling yet? I'm very scared of pressure sores if he's laying all the time, though he does seem to be moving when I'm not there. He's always in a different position. Is it ok for me to help him stand several times a day? Or should he be resting and not trying anything yet?
In regards to progress, he now seems to be able to keep his balance standing on one leg but still isn't using his left legg. There is no reaction whatsoever when touching it. It is still warm. He still has hip movement as I can see him lifting the leg up or sitting on his hock, but isn't able to hop around without loosing his balance.
When should I be seeing more progress? When should I be making the decision of letting him go? Is there anything else I can do?
So many questions, I'm sorry! As you can see, I'm an overthinker
Thank you in advance for your help, it would be much appreciated.
ps. English is not my native language, so sorry for the spelling or grammar mistakes!
I'm new to the forum but I have been through almost all the threads regarding silkies, silkie colors and injuries. So I'm what some people call, a lurker.
Unfortunately I now find myself in a position where I need some help. My weimaraner got into my silkies' coop Tuesday evening. She brought one of my 6 months old roosters to the window, trying to bring it inside. She immediately let go of him when I told her so, and he was still alive!
There are no external injuries, though he is paralyzed on the left leg. I'm not sure if it's a nerve compression issue, spinal cord injury, broken pelvis or something else. There doesn't seem to be anything broken or dislocated. I went searching on the 'net and read almost all of the threads on paralyzed chickens. What I have done so far since Tuesday:
- isolated him in the garden shed with a heath lamp
- have been administering multivitamins immediately (daily) these are the ingredients:
Nutritional additives: Vit. A 3.010.000 IU / IU / UI, White. B1 1,800 mg, White. B2 3,200 mg, Niacin 13,000 mg, Pantothenic Acid 3,300 mg, Vit. B6 690 mg, Folic acid 33 mg, Vit. B12 4,300 μg, White. C 60,000 mg, White. D3 2.210 IU / IU / UI, White. E 3000 IU / IU / UI, White. K 190 mg.
- gave him ORS (200 ml water, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt) the first two days
- he's on meloxicam 2ml (the 0,5ml kind for cats) a day
- i'm feeding him egg yolk, scrambled egg, cooked egg, regular pellets, dried shrimp (he does seem to be only wanting to eat the egg)
- made him a sling today
- gave him a bath to clean his behind (he does seem to be having diarrhea)
Is the multivitamin enough regarding the vitamins needed for regeneration of the nerves? I've been reading up and have read about the B-complex and vitamin E. I do have vitamin E on hand but for my horses, I'm not sure if it's safe for chickens?
How much does he need to be in the sling? For the night I have taken him out of it. Or should he still be resting and not be in the sling yet? I'm very scared of pressure sores if he's laying all the time, though he does seem to be moving when I'm not there. He's always in a different position. Is it ok for me to help him stand several times a day? Or should he be resting and not trying anything yet?
In regards to progress, he now seems to be able to keep his balance standing on one leg but still isn't using his left legg. There is no reaction whatsoever when touching it. It is still warm. He still has hip movement as I can see him lifting the leg up or sitting on his hock, but isn't able to hop around without loosing his balance.
When should I be seeing more progress? When should I be making the decision of letting him go? Is there anything else I can do?
So many questions, I'm sorry! As you can see, I'm an overthinker
Thank you in advance for your help, it would be much appreciated.
ps. English is not my native language, so sorry for the spelling or grammar mistakes!