Possible scorpion poisoning/paralyzed hens

[Vegashens]

This may have been asked already, but is vet care a an option?

If she makes it through the night I am going to research for one around me.

 

[Weeg]

I watched her eat one today, was going to stop her and my fiancé said it was fine lol. She first pecked it a few times until it stopped moving then she ate it. These two follow each other around the yard everywhere so whatever they got into ofc they both got.

So it was alive. Sounds like she got stung then. I would take her to the vet if possible. Otherwise this may be fatal.

 

[FransGran]

How are they today? One of my POL pullets went through this recently here in Arizona. I hope they are doing better.

 

[black_cat]

How are they today? One of my POL pullets went through this recently here in Arizona. I hope they are doing better.

What did you do for her?

 

[FransGran]

When I saw her outside that afternoon it had only been two hours since she had been healthy, but what a difference. She was staggering toward me, could barely make a move. Dry white foam by her beak. Struggling to breathe.

I was fairly sure based on all the facts it was a scorpion, but since it wasn’t immediate I didn’t instantly administer Benadryl. I just wasn’t sure. I did take her to the vet and they do treat birds but basically they just would have admitted and watched her. They did not recommend Benadryl, at least not hours later in our case. They gave us metacam for pain, and having been stung myself I know it hurts and I did give her that.

I brought her home and inside because at first she couldn’t balance or move well and the others went after her a little. She stayed inside for two nights. Electrolytes, normal feed, metacam as directed until I couldn’t get her to take it and then I knew we were ready to try and be outside again.

So after that second night we tried it carefully. She was slow on her feet for a day but she made it. The venom just had to work itself out of her system I think. But I’m no expert.

 

[Vegashens]

Ok they made it through the night. The one that was in worse shape seemed to be doing slightly better, holding her head up today.

So now I’m at the vet and they are basically telling me they’re not sure what course of action to take seeing as there’s not really a test they can run to verify the issues. Not sure how experienced the vet is w chickens but was basically told he’s not sure at this point.

 

[black_cat]

Ok they made it through the night. The one that was in worse shape seemed to be doing slightly better, holding her head up today.

So now I’m at the vet and they are basically telling me they’re not sure what course of action to take seeing as there’s not really a test they can run to verify the issues. Not sure how experienced the vet is w chickens but was basically told he’s not sure at this point.

It's good that they're still fighting! Are they drinking any water or eating any chicken food?

 

[Vegashens]

It's good that they're still fighting! Are they drinking any water or eating any chicken food?

No not yet. I even tried giving some meal worms to them which they usually go crazy over. The only water they’ve had was what I gave them in the syringe. Was charged a $300 deposit to get them looked at so I’m hoping we get some sort of closure at least.

 

[black_cat]

No not yet. I even tried giving some meal worms to them which they usually go crazy over. The only water they’ve had was what I gave them in the syringe. Was charged a $300 deposit to get them looked at so I’m hoping we get some sort of closure at least.

Maybe try giving them some wet chicken feed? It's easy for them to eat and mine go nuts for it. You could also try putting it on a spoon and holding it right up to their beak.

 

[azygous]

I suggest syringing Poultry Nutri-drench mixed into water with a little sugar. This will give them a boost and it by-passes the digestive system to work immediately.

It's good news the chickens are surviving and the trend is toward improvement. This is encouraging.