Sick Silkie - head swaying?

[LilFrenchies]

Hello,
My little Silkie hurt her toe on Thursday. She was fine before and Thursday I noticed her hobble so checked it out and she had cut her toe, cleaned it and disinfected it but foot & leg were a bit swollen so I isolated her. Friday she seemed to be doing better but was a bit lethargic and didn’t really eat much - I disinfected again. Saturday same, but wasn’t really keen to move but was nibbling and drinking from time to time. This morning she was super wierd - she’s not eating or drinking and she’s standing but her head is swaying as if she wants to sleep... her head slowly drifts to the right and then she catches it kinda like a tired toddler at the dinner table if you know what I mean.

It’s Sunday so no vet...until tomorrow morning. I’ve given her a bit of amoxicillin by syringe, also dosed her drinking water with megavit for electrolytes & vitamins. I’ve given water and egg yolk by syringe (not much ... it’s a fight!) & have also tried everything from cat food to broccoli (her fav!) but she refuses to eat! She does occasionally take a sip of the water on her own.

any ideas? Anyone have the head swaying before? It’s new to me but I’m thinking it’s an infection from the foot?(Which is still swollen btw!). Not convinced she’ll make it to tomorrow for the vet visit!

 

[Chicalina]

I'm wondering if she has a neurological disease and catching her foot in something was a symptom of this?

Also, yes could be a systemic infection, from the foot or otherwise.

I don't think you can do more than you have done tbh. Unless you start treating for cocci as well. I would keep giving antibiotics for a week and keep doing all you are doing.

Perhaps also a mega dose of Vit E.

 

[MysteryChicken]

How is her crop?

 

[LilFrenchies]

I'm wondering if she has a neurological disease and catching her foot in something was a symptom of this?

Also, yes could be a systemic infection, from the foot or otherwise.

I don't think you can do more than you have done tbh. Unless you start treating for cocci as well. I would keep giving antibiotics for a week and keep doing all you are doing.

Perhaps also a mega dose of Vit E.

Thanks Chicalina! I thought the megavit has vit E... but I can crack open a gelcap and try to get a bit more in her.

Because she was running around last week with the others and has been perfectly fine up until Thursday, I’m not convinced she suddenly developed a neurological issue - is that possible to go from zero to this condition in a matter of 2 - 3 days?

Just hoping she makes it tonight so the vet can have a go!

 

[LilFrenchies]

How is her crop?

Well, it’s pretty darn empty to be honest...I can feel a tiny little bump but pretty squishy. Why? You think it’s sour crop?

 

[Chicalina]

They can appear to go downhill fast because they are prey animals and naturally hide illness as a survival instinct against predators. She may have been incubating something for a week or more and didn't show it.

I hope she survives

 

[MysteryChicken]

Well, it’s pretty darn empty to be honest...I can feel a tiny little bump but pretty squishy. Why? You think it’s sour crop?

I thought maybe she'd have an impacted crop, or a crop blockage. I had a chick with a crop blockage who swayed his head back, & forth trying to adjust his crop to compensate for the blockage.
The blockage is removed, crop is functioning good, it's just pendulous right now, & sags which makes it hard for it to empty. A crop bra helps with that now.

 

[LilFrenchies]

I thought maybe she'd have an impacted crop, or a crop blockage. I had a chick with a crop blockage who swayed his head back, & forth trying to adjust his crop to compensate for the blockage.
The blockage is removed, crop is functioning good, it's just pendulous right now, & sags which makes it hard for it to empty. A crop bra helps with that now.

Interesting! Never thought of the crop to be honest, but makes sense that it could cause a head movement to happen.....The way she moves her head doesn’t seem like it’s a conscience thing tho, more involuntary so makes me think Chicalina’s theory on neurological issue is on to something. I’d upload a video to share but can’t seem to find an option for a video upload only photo!

 

[Chicalina]

you can use vimeo, imgur or YouTube and post the link here

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds neurological, but if you have a short video that could be uploaded to YouTube with a link here that would be good to see. Is she acting sleepy? The vitamin E 400 IU daily would be good. A little egg for selenium might also help. She probably needs to be separated in a dog crate so that you can observe her often.