Sitting on hocks, wobbly walk ((Update - RIP Wheezy))

[AmyBella]

My poor little rooster is not doing so hot. He is about 15 weeks old. It seems really hard for him to put one foot in front of the other, but he can still walk. He has a really hard time standing up on slippery surfaces. His legs go out from under him like spraddle legs. I noticed that his toes were curling in a little too. His wings and tail are not as perky as usual, but his color is good and he eats like a pig. Poo is normal as far as I can tell.

As soon as I noticed, I did some reading and started him on B vitamins, E & Seleium, plain yogurt. I checked him over for mites and lice. I didn't find any, but his feathers are kind of weird. Almost all of them have that waxy coating like on pin feathers near the skin.

I should mention that "Wheezy" is blind in his left eye. His body is kind of twisted from compensating. He has always had a hunched back and a tendancy to go down on his hocks to look at things. The normal birds lower their heads and peck the clover... Wheezy has to hunker down to get it in his sights. He does pretty well, too! He used to miss his target much more often!

So this is day #2 on the vitamins. I sort of want to give him an anti-inflammatory as his hocks and hip joints seem a little warm and swollen. I have metacam on hand, also baby aspirin, and the natural stuff like turmeric and ginger. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!

 

[AmyBella]

Can anyone help? I am home from work and he seems worse.

1) What type of bird , age and weight. SLW/Lt Brahma cross, 15 wks, not sure on weight, but not too thin or fat. Has not changed.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Staggering gait, sitting/walking on hocks, hot shanks/comb/feet, legs sort of splayed, toes curled, tail down, wings down. Some panting and "complaining" when walking or getting moved.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. ??? Don't know if it is related, but this bird is blind in one eye and had a very severe respiratory illness as a chick (From day 2- maybe day18 or so). He has been absolutely fine ever since except for things related to being blind.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Organic grower mash. Treats once a day or so include scram egg, mealy worms, watermelon, yogurt. ACV in water for the last week because his bro has a crop issue.
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Perfectly fine. He dropped a couple on me an hour ago.
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Separated him, he's inside w/AC since it has been 95 all week. Treating 3 days now with B complex vitamins, E & Selenium.
8 ) 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? I will be treating myself.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use Pine Shavings.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I am sorry. I have no further suggestions, just wanted to tell you

Was he blind in the one eye at hatch, or from injury?

 

[AmyBella]

Thanks for the support and hugs! Weezy has been through a lot in his short life. His eye got pecked and has a cloudy patch of scar tissue like a cataract. My heart just breaks for this sweet bird.

 

[AmyBella]

Anyone?

 

[artsyrobin]

How is he today? i am having similiar problems with my pullet duchess-

what dosages are you giving?

 

[AmyBella]

He's still the same... maybe a little perkier than last night. Won't really walk unless he wants food or water. He seems like an old man crippled with arthritis.

Last night I gave him .05 ccs of the metacam but I can't tell if it made much of a difference. I gave him 3 drops of poly-vi-sol vitamin drops this morning instead of the B complex and E&Selenium because I am also unsure of the dose. For now, he is resting comfortably inside with me.

What happened with Dutchess? Did you post about it? I'm interested to hear what you are doing.

 

[artsyrobin]

I hope your roo gets better- poor duchess can't walk at all now, and tries but just flounders- it started with a slight limp, and then she got to where she lost maneuverability with that foot and has gradually gotten worse. She is still eating and drinking- she doesn't seem in pain, just not mobile...

 

[AmyBella]

Oh, no... I am so sorry to hear that.

 

[artsyrobin]

Well, i just found a post mentioning that signs of vit b deficiency can be curled toes and resting on the hocks- so i diluted a vit b in water, since she won't eat yogurt if it is in it- ornery thing, but she drank it right down, and she ate some oatmeal with yogurt and multivitamins, so hopefully this will make a difference...