please help. I think my chik is dying

[kirkster5]

I posted earlier about one of my RIR's that had some raised feathers and what looked like an abcess. It was then diagnosed as just being picked at and we bought some sort of anti pecking goop. Now she is very sick. She keeps putting her head down into her feet almost as if cowering and even does a forward roll when she is trying to run. the area under the raised feathers still looks infected but I was initially that this was no big deal and once the ointment was applied and the pecking stopped that all would be O.K.........Well it is not and I dont know what this 'cowering' is. Please any advice. I just put some terramycin in thier water but she is not showing any signs of drinking. Any help would be appreciated I dont know if she will make it through the night.

 

[cjeanean]

hmmm.....I don't know. I know if my chick had an infection I would try to drain it, although I'm not suggesting you do that unless you're sure that you've done everything else. I have no idea what this could be, you wouldn't happen to have a pic of the area???? Maybe someone else can help you more, since I don't know too much about poultry (only been at this a short while) but I know I've dealt with a lot of skin infections so maybe if you have a pic I *might* be able to help. I wish I knew more!!!

I really don't want to give you bad advice but if she's so bad that she might die any advice might be good!!!!

 

[cjeanean]

Also, where is the infection??? If it's on her neck and it's large enough it may be interfering with her stability. Just a stab in the dark!!!

 

[kirkster5]

its up near the wing root. She is tucking her head under her feet sideways and kind of stumbling backwards as she shakes her head underneath her.

 

[cjeanean]

What does the lump feel like??? Is it really hot??? As in, warmer than the rest of her??? Is it hard, soft, squishy, in between???

 

[kirkster5]

cant really tell as we have that anti pecking salve on her. I'm really interested if anyone else has had a similar problem and what they were able to do. I know it is late and very few or you are awake but hoping I can get her through the night and then get some help as people wake-up. This sucks she was doing so well up until a couple of days ago.

 

[chicken legs]

sorry for yur troubles ...wish I could help

 

[dlhunicorn]

I am having difficulty visualizing your problem...can you take and post a pic (it will need to be hosting someplace like photobucket in order for you to post) Exactly what product for anti-picking are you using?

 

[kirkster5]

Cant really get a picture as I would need three hands to accomplish this. It is the behavior of tucking the head and walking backwards and flopping over that I thought would spark some responses and suggestions. I can treat the infection but I'm concerned that the flopping over thing.

 

[kirkster5]

Well, I took her to the vet and all indications are encephalitis(sp?). They are having to run tests to find out if it is viral or bacterial. Prognosis is fatal if it is viral but if it is bacterial she has a chance. I'm having to give her 2 oral antibiotics every 12 hours on the chance it is bacterial. Since there was a lesion on her back, which seemed to start all of this, the thinking is that it IS probably bacterial. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

Has anyone had a successful outcome with treating this disease?