Silkie's tongue seems to be stuck in back of throat? No eating/drinking.

[ChickenJennC]

3 year old silkie hen. Appx 3 lbs. Still laying every day. Day 3 of symptoms. No other birds having these symptoms.

She began head shaking and scratching at her mouth, then stretching her neck out with her mouth open. I suspected gape worms and have given her a dose of .33 cc/lb for the last 3 days since she was due for deworming anyway. When opening her mouth her tongue is nowhere to be found, but there is no injury. It's difficult to describe and she does not want me opening her mouth, as you know a chicken can be on death's door but they can still shake their head like it's an Olympic sport. Anyway, no plaques, injuries or odor in the mouth. After some research I found a couple of articles where chickens have gone through this, and one lady said a vet told her it was a spasm due to lack of calcium, and that trying to force the tongue back into position could do more harm than good. So, today I got supplies to tube feed her and calcium tablets in case that is the issue. Has anyone ever experienced this? It is the weirdest thing but I am going to try to help her. She seems interested in the food and water, she just can't seem to eat or drink. Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
What is the name of the product you used for deworming?
Can you get a few pictures of her mouth, or a video (uploaded to Youtube)?

 

[ChickenJennC]

Hello, thank you for your reply. I tried to get pics and I was unsuccessful even with the husband helping to hold Banana Bread. BUT I got a really good look in her mouth with a spotlight and HER TONGUE IS THERE! It has a small yellow plaque on it. I could not see any string or anything wrapped around tongue. I have medistatin powder for trich etc. The wormer I used was fenbendazole (liquid safeguard).

 

[Kiki]

The yellow gunk needs to come out.
Does her mouth smell?
@casportpony Do you have pictures of yellow on a tongue?

 

[ChickenJennC]

I did not smell anything. When I get home from work I will confirm.

The yellow gunk needs to come out.
Does her mouth smell?
@casportpony Do you have pictures of yellow on a tongue?

 

[ChickenJennC]

Confirmed no odor that I could detect. She shows interest in water, her mouth opens wide, but she doesn't try to drink. She shakes her head hard, and makes a croaking sound, BUT I hear no congestion in her lungs.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are her eyes watery or does she have nasal drainage, chest rattles, or coughing? The yellow plaque on her tongue could be from a virus, a bacterial infection, or canker which smells bad. Fowl pox virus can cause the plaques inside the beak and throat. Have you seen any fowl pox scabs lately on any chickens? I would be tempted to treat her with some Tylan 50 if you don’t smell a bad odor which could be canker. Tylan can treat MG.