Remembering Pip-Squeak

[festivefeet]

Some new photos from this afternoon. She lost another nail, there was a small one underneath though. I brought her back inside. I couldn't bare to leave her out there. SHe is slow moving....but still eating and drinking. I put vitamins back in her water and biotin as well. I figured, it can't hurt.

I contacted some Avian Dr.'s/specialists that I found on a web search and they have most graciously taken a look at her condition from photos. I am forever grateful for all of the kind hearted people that have so generously offered their help to me and this poor sick chick. I will let you know if I hear anything back about her condition.

Here are some pics of her feet this afternoon. They look so so sore.

Sincerely.
J.

 

[horsejody]

Good, I am interested in what they have to say.

 

[festivefeet]

Some replies from Dr.'s and specialists:

"From what I have seen of the photos, it looks like it could be many things. Vitamin A deficiency (not very likely), biotin eficiency (also not very likely), zinc deficiency (it could be this one) or an auto immune disorder such as pemphigus or lupus. I would continue to treat her with vitamins and make sure that there is zinc in with the supplements. If she doesn't get better in a month, she probably won't get better because it is her body attacking her skin."

"Sorry…saw your later email before this one. I doubt if there is going to be any treatment as you have tried just about everything possible. The best bets are the topical use of tea tree oil and an injectable b-complex. I worry that even though biotin was tried, other b-vitamins could be involved, and the bird may not be able to absorb them for some reason. A local vet could set you up with a regimen like this. The probability that anything like this would work is admittedly low, and, if it did, it would probably need to be continued for the life of the bird as it is likely not going to recover. This disease is likely systemic and only the external effects of the disease are apparent…changes are likely underway internally, which are responsible for the slowed growth and development of this bird. If the decision is made to put the bird to sleep, it would be very helpful to have a necropsy (autopsy) done to see if anything can be learned about what this disease is."

"I think a couple more toes are going to slough off as well if the bird lives much longer. This disorder could very well be affecting internal organs as well."

"I was talking briefly to "colleague" and agree with him as far as a genetic predisposition. One thing though, is that there may be a genetic predisposition to be susceptible to a specific nutritional deficiency, so even though most birds in your environment would have no problems, one that had a bit of a genetic disadvantage might be susceptible. I was wondering if you could tell me what the standard diet currently is for your birds and if it is from multiple sources roughly what percentage comes from each feed item. (i.e. commercially prepared feed – Mazuri brand 70%, foraging 15%, table scraps 15%, etc.)"

"I do not recall seeing anything like this before. I believe you are correct that this is most likely a genetic disorder in this individual bird. I have forwarded your material to "colleague", who is a pathologist on our faculty and an international expert on skin disorders. After he has had a chance to evaluate the pictures, I would be interested in discussing the case with you further. I will be back in touch soon."

If I hear more, I will update again.
J.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

this board is the best for the infection she has
did you do what the lady said for the dermatitis?
so you can see if that helps
she looks to have a bad case of bumble foot
and if you give it shots of Lincomycin it will help the foot problem

you can email me PM and will try and help
but do what they told you to do to see if it will cure the problem

 

[festivefeet]

Pip Squeak still looks ruff, however, she seems to really enjoy my company and comfort. She seems content when in my company, as if I am her Mother Hen. I let her walk in the kitchen to get some exercise and she follows me around. I took her outside with me today while I knelt down to work in a flower bed. She laid down and spread totally out, feet and wings extended. She was thrilled when I found a grub, worm, beetle etc. She LOVES grubs. I figured, a few bugs wouldn't hurt, she is hardly ever outside anymore. Being outside seems to irritate her feet, in the coop with woodchips is the worst for her. Our rooster tried to attack her today, because she has been gone from the flock for so long. I put the cabosh on that right away. It was nice to see her so peaceful while we were sitting in the garden together. I don't know what the future holds for this sweet little sick chick, however, I do know I will do my best to do what I can and make her comfortable and as happy as possible.

We brought the dog crate out of storage today for her. She has more room in the crate and can see everywhere in the kitchen.

She enjoyed watching her flock roam in the freshly tilled garden today. She didn't have much interest in running and scratching. Her feet are to sore.

My sweet daughter loves this little chick. It will be sad if or when she does pass on.

We still don't have a concrete diagnosis on this little chick. Everyone seems baffled by her condition, even experts and specialists. She is on antibiotics, biotin, b-complex and vitamins. I am not sure what else I can do. I put neosporin on her feet occasionally. I just wish there were an answer and that she could live. She would be the most lovable and friendly chicken who thinks she is supposed to live in the house.

J.

 

[mrszlopez]

This is so sad. Im sorry that you are having to go thru this. Just keep doing what youre doing, youre being a fantastic chick mommy. hopefully it will just improve & heal & she can live a happy & healthy life. Good luck with this & be sure to keep us all updated

 

[splashie]

Thanks for keeping up updated, I really feel for you and your daughter, having to go through this.

Fantastic photos!

I sure hope things work out for Pip Squeak.

 

[festivefeet]

Here is the update for today. These photos were taken as of this evening. I started putting iodine on her feet, so the yellowish color is the iodine. I continuing the same regimen of vitamins and antibiotics. Although I am not really sure it's making a huge impact. When she was off of everything, her feet did seem to worsen.

I did receive an email back from an avian specialist regarding Pip's photograph's and documentations:

" Concerning the disease in your bird, it is impossible to say what the specific disease is without a detailed study of the tissues. Even then, one could still come up empty-handed as there is so little that is known. There are two broad groups of diseases in which this disease is likely to fall. The first group are the autoimmune diseases (an example in people and dogs is lupus [my wife has this disease]…I don’t believe lupus has been identified in an avian species). This is unlikely as it generally takes time for autoimmune diseases to develop and this chick was afflicted right from hatching.

The second group are more diffuse and involve defective collagen formation. They are genetic and the survival of the animal depends on the severity of the collagen defect. Collagen is the primary material in connective tissues that provide structural support for all of the body’s tissues; even if changes are just observed in the skin, they actually are occurring in all of the tissues throughout the body. A number of collagen diseases are known in people and animals…they are known to affect birds but are not well documented. Below is an abstract of a collagen disease in ostriches FYI. In people, dogs, cats, horses, and cattle, the best described disease of this type is the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (which actually encompasses 11 distinct types) in case you would want to research this on the web. Another less well documented disease is feline acquired skin fragility syndrome. We just had a case of this presented in a seminar last week. "


So I am not sure where to go from here. I think I have done all that I can. She is very fragile. Her feathers pull out easily. Her wounds seem to be healing a bit more now that we have brought her inside. But she just looks so frail to me. She does not have much meat on her and does not like to be picked up (a lot of squacking and peeping, as if it hurts to be handled). Although, she does like to hop on to me by herself and snuggle down. Today she climbed into my sweatshirt (like a chick under her Mama's wing). She loves to lie in the sun. She will sprawl out and just bask. The iodine seemed to help the wounds when applied today, but it also seemed to cause initial discomfort (maybe stinging). She loves to eat grubs when she spends time with me gardening.

They seem to be a favorite. She still has on and off diahrrea, but that could also be all the vitamins and the antibiotic. I am going to keep the antibiotics going for a while, hopefully to prevent infections with her sores. Although, I am pretty sure it's not curing the overall condition.

I guess, from here, I will continue doing what I am doing. If she starts really suffering horribly, I will have to figure out a humane way to end the suffering.

She has been loved.

Any thoughts.

Jessica

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

the one thing noted is her long beak and that generally denotes a bird that has problems in the body
do give her the zinc as it can't hurt her and the wet mash probiotic twice a day with vit's
as that will keep her alive for the little girls sake
she is not stressing as she looks very calm so the nerves are using the vits you been giving her
keep us posted

 

[festivefeet]

The cycle continues....

She is now hemorrhaging again.