Silkie Pullet is bone thin, diarrhea, weak!

[fruitbrute]

Hey hey....
I was just repeating what I read.
Let me find the thread..I've been quite side tracked today.

LOL

Tirade wasn't directed at you!!
Huge sore spot I have with vets who give out bad information like that!
sorry if it came across directed in any way at you!

 

[Kiki]

LOL

Tirade wasn't directed at you!!
Huge sore spot I have with vets who give out bad information like that!
sorry if it came across directed in any way at you!

I clicked to watch that thread and now I am having trouble finding it...I WILL find it it just is going to take a little while.
Bare with me.

 

[Kiki]

Here:
I think this is the one I am thinking of.
here!

 

[Kiki]

This is what I was thinking of earlier when I mentioned it:

"When the results came back, the vet triumphantly said "It's Vitamin A deficiency. Causes cancer. And that's why your hen has lost all her feathers." He suggested I give up on the organic feed and move on to Purina or Blue Seal or some other big name."

 

[fruitbrute]

This is what I was thinking of earlier when I mentioned it:

"When the results came back, the vet triumphantly said "It's Vitamin A deficiency. Causes cancer. And that's why your hen has lost all her feathers." He suggested I give up on the organic feed and move on to Purina or Blue Seal or some other big name."

Yeah, like I said - unedereducated veterinarian giving super false information.

If you want to a thorough read on Vitamin A, how Poultry get it (beta caroteinoids), how and where they process it internally, how it's utilized by the body and how excess and deficiencies affect them (not cancer), this is a great read:

https://www.dsm.com/markets/anh/en_US/Compendium/poultry/vitamin_A.html

That said, a few things can inhibit beta carotenoid conversion to Vitamin A efficiency and absorption - protein deficiency and coccidiosis were two major factors that stood out as things that could have been playing a part in her chicken's deficiency.

The gist of it:
Poultry are very efficient in conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A. Efficiency of vitamin A conversion from beta-carotene is decreased with higher levels of intake. (Meaning more is not better in the case of chickens)

Stress conditions, such as extremely hot weather or viral infections, have also been suggested as causes for reduced carotene to vitamin A conversion.

Coccidiosis (my suspicion with my hen at least), not only causes destruction of vitamin A in the gut but also injures the microvilli of the intestinal wall, decreasing absorption of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is often seen in heavily parasitized animals that supposedly were receiving an adequate amount of the vitamin.

Soooo... my guess with that other person's hen is either cocci, or stress, or a viral infection, or even lack of adequate protein led her to a Vit A deficiency. Her vet gave her misleading and incorrect information. Really so awful that just because they're doctors they're afraid to say when they don't know something.

As for cancer - no. Vitamin A deficiency in poultry can lead to suppressed immune response, decreased immunity, susceptiblity to illness/infection/parasites, systemic inflammation, and growth inhibition, but not cancer.

Little silkie chick is same as yesterday, nice poops, still eating and drinking, I continue my search for NutriDrench today, but have some arriving in the mail today or Monday if I can't find it. I also started offering her the Kaytee Exact formula with some of the HP pellets mixed in (she wasn't a fan but she ate it).

Thank you for all your help with this!!!! It's baffling but I am leaning towards Cocci causing a decrease in nutrient absorption by way of it running interference on intestinal microvilli. That would be enough to cause her paralysis and I'm hoping that by treating the cocci and adding the extra vitamins, her system will recover and she'll walk again.
Poor little girl.

I'm going to treat everyone - am wondering if perhaps the Guineas tracked in Cocci.... I'm going to run a fecal on them since they have yet to be medicated and she spends time with them. (Vet said since she is on meds now her fecal may not show anything)

 

[Kiki]

You might want to read through this: Cocci thrive on Vitamin B1-thiamine.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/coccidiosis/overview-of-coccidiosis-in-poultry

 

[fruitbrute]

Just wanted to post an update: the little sicky silkie girl ("Hoke") is still hanging in there. I think she is getting stronger, she was standing a bit last night and a bit better at fighting off my unwanted syringe/dropper of a few cc's of vitamin/electrolyte water. Poops look good still, and she is still eating and drinking on her own. All the other birds are still doing fine.

I'm staying optimistic that she will make it through this, she is definitely doing her part!

 

[Kiki]

Are you currently treating her for Cocci?
If so stop all vitamins.

 

[fruitbrute]

Are you currently treating her for Cocci?
If so stop all vitamins.

Yes, treating her with Furaltadone and Ronidazole, why? I've not heard that before. Hoke gets the meds in the am (pill form) and a diluted solution of vitamins and electrolytes in the evening, about 3cc only because I didn't want to dehydrate her with sodium.

 

[Kiki]

Well Cocci thrive on vitamin B. It is not wise to feed vitamins while treating for Cocci.