pullet lame and wobbly

[artsyrobin]

Hi everyone- i have a BA pullet that first showed a limp. i put her on vitamins, e, b and yogurt. she now sits on hocks and is unbalanced...any suggestions?

 

[hinkjc]

I think we'll need more info to try to help. See if you can answer these questions.. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569

 

[artsyrobin]

ok, here are the answers-

1) What type of bird , age and weight.
BA pullet, 6 months, not sure of weight

2) What is the behavior, exactly.

she started limping, and that progressed to her right leg, this morning her balance was off and by this afternoon her right leg has the same problem.

3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
no, i haven't found any abrasions or cuts

4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.

not sure, they are in a coop at nite and a run during the day and i let them out for about an hour a day at dusk, but it is supervised.

5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
they are all on layer feed, grit, acv in water

6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
normal poop

7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
polyvisol vitamins, vit e, vit b in her yogurt, but she quit eating it with the b in it so diluted the b in water and give her drops on her beak, baby oatmeal with a t of yogurt in it

8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
need to care for her myself, no avian vet close

9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
will take pics and post them

10) Describe the housing/bedding in use
they have a coop with pine shavings, the run is just dirt

hope that helps some

 

[dixiechick]

Have you had lots of rain lately...if so, could be botulism. That's what happened to my little man, Elvis last year (see avatar). If so, act quickly--get him to a vet. I didn't in time. Elvis passed away on the way home from the vet

 

[hinkjc]

A couple things come to mind. Could be vitamin deficiency (you're basically treating for this now), overheating/heat stroke (will need electrolytes or plain gatorade), bumblefoot (inspect feet pads for black dot & swelling), botulism/toxin (if suspected, try a molasses flush via water), lymphoid leukosis (similar to mareks but in older birds and determined by necropsy from a vet).

 

[hinkjc]

Sorry, another thought. Does she lay eggs yet? Any swelling back there? I have heard cases where a young pullet has a large egg and it presses on the sciatica nerve causing sudden lameness.

 

[artsyrobin]

ok, here are pics from last nite, as of today she has begun trying to get her legs under her and stand- have her on a quilt in the bathtub to minimize her hitting things- yes she just began laying, and has continued through all of this, which seems amazing - but she is a determined girl- she also downed her yogurt and oatmeal mix. sometimes she just seems exhausted, other times she acts normal


this was last nite, she'd try to stand and flop over

this was the second day, as her toes began the curl

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote:
i am so sorry, what were his early symptoms? i had a silkie i lost that i suspect was that. As far as rain, some heavy thunderstorms, but not enough to keep things wet for long...