Sudden leg paralysis

[SamCO]

Good morning chicken peeps. I have a 6month pullet who suddenly lost use of her right leg. Fine one day, and limp the next. It has been 3days since this happened. Today her leg also feels cool to the touch. She is still eating and drinking. I’ve been feeding her scrambled eggs with poultry cell added twice daily and she eats it all. She also seems to have loose stool. I felt inside her vent to see if there was an egg there and didn’t feel one. Her comb is pale now on day 3 after her injury/illness but was still bright red the day she started limping.

My flock consists of 31 birds total, and is mostly vaccinated for mareks, with the exception of three older birds (2 hatched by our flock and 1 purchased as a day old) and six new chicks we got this spring as day olds). This injured pullet is from the unvaccinated chicks purchased this spring.

Does this sound likely to be mareks? I’m happy to provide supportive care for a few days/weeks if there’s a chance she will recover, but don’t want to prolong her suffering. Any advice as to how to help her recover?

Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is the leg straight out front or back? That's generally what you see with mareks. An injury they will still hold the leg under themselves.

 

[SamCO]

She mostly gets it under her, but isn’t trying to move much today. I have her In a kennel with food and water to try to keep her resting it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is a hopeful sign that it's an injury. Have to tried to see if there's a break or if she flinches when you manipulate it? I would do cage rest for a week or so and see if there's any improvement.