1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Lemon Cuckoo Orpington, 10 weeks.
About the same size/weight as the others, although has lost a little condition over past 2 days.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
When I first noticed something was off with her, she was standing off in the corner by herself with her head tilted to the side, dropped wings and feathers a little ruffled. She was chirping. She acted like she was drunk when she tried to walk to me--very unsteady on her feet. I brought her inside and she ate/drank and seemed to be doing better, however, overnight, behavior has changed to where she can't stand up and lays on one side. Can move her legs but not her wings. Head is still tilted to one side. If I try to move her or if she is startled, she starts thrashing around like a fish out of water, kicking her legs. Head is tilted towards the right and her right eye pupil looks larger than the left and not reacting to light. She has clear discharge coming from her nose now and she has also started opening and closing her mouth when she breathes.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
First noticed change in behavior yesterday evening.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, none of the others are and I have kept a close eye to make sure they are all acting normally.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No, this is one of the first things I checked for to make sure she hadn't been bullied--no signs of anything.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I have no idea. At first, my first thought is that she was too cold; we had a huge temperature drop yesterday during the day from 40-50 degrees down to in the 20s. I brought her in but after getting warmed up, symptoms only improved temporarily before she took a turn during the night.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Unmedicated Chick Starter, water--warm water when it was really cold to help keep them warm.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal. This is why I am so confused as to what could be wrong because normally there are symptoms in the poop. They had a bought with Cocci a few weeks ago which was treated and all poops have been normal. No signs of pink or red in her poop.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Electrolytes in her water
10 ) 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?
Self treat, we do not have a local avian doctor in my area, I've had to travel to see one previously.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
no wounds
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Right now she is in a plastic bin with a towel to stabilize her so she doesn't thrash around in the house. Normally she is in a run with little coop to keep them safe with straw bedding.
If anyone has any idea what is going on, please let me know! I can usually figure out what the ailments are and treat but this one is really puzzling since some of her symptoms are all over the place. Thank you!
Lemon Cuckoo Orpington, 10 weeks.
About the same size/weight as the others, although has lost a little condition over past 2 days.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
When I first noticed something was off with her, she was standing off in the corner by herself with her head tilted to the side, dropped wings and feathers a little ruffled. She was chirping. She acted like she was drunk when she tried to walk to me--very unsteady on her feet. I brought her inside and she ate/drank and seemed to be doing better, however, overnight, behavior has changed to where she can't stand up and lays on one side. Can move her legs but not her wings. Head is still tilted to one side. If I try to move her or if she is startled, she starts thrashing around like a fish out of water, kicking her legs. Head is tilted towards the right and her right eye pupil looks larger than the left and not reacting to light. She has clear discharge coming from her nose now and she has also started opening and closing her mouth when she breathes.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
First noticed change in behavior yesterday evening.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, none of the others are and I have kept a close eye to make sure they are all acting normally.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No, this is one of the first things I checked for to make sure she hadn't been bullied--no signs of anything.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I have no idea. At first, my first thought is that she was too cold; we had a huge temperature drop yesterday during the day from 40-50 degrees down to in the 20s. I brought her in but after getting warmed up, symptoms only improved temporarily before she took a turn during the night.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Unmedicated Chick Starter, water--warm water when it was really cold to help keep them warm.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal. This is why I am so confused as to what could be wrong because normally there are symptoms in the poop. They had a bought with Cocci a few weeks ago which was treated and all poops have been normal. No signs of pink or red in her poop.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Electrolytes in her water
10 ) 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?
Self treat, we do not have a local avian doctor in my area, I've had to travel to see one previously.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
no wounds
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Right now she is in a plastic bin with a towel to stabilize her so she doesn't thrash around in the house. Normally she is in a run with little coop to keep them safe with straw bedding.
If anyone has any idea what is going on, please let me know! I can usually figure out what the ailments are and treat but this one is really puzzling since some of her symptoms are all over the place. Thank you!
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