Sudden paralysis

[SuburbanChix1]

I think my hen Sweetie is suffering from either chemical toxicity or botulism. Do you know any home treatments that could help? There was weed spraying right outside my property over the last day or so.

Her legs seem paralyzed, yet when I hold her on my lap she has strength in them. She just can't stand by herself, has no balance and falls over. Her legs go out to the side when I put her down. She had a period of difficult breathing, but seems better now. She is eating and drinking. She seemed perfectly healthy at bedtime last night and laid an egg yesterday and a double-yolker sort of fell out of her this morning while I was placing her in a carrier.

So far the other 5 hens seem fine.

 

[boskelli1571]

Is there any way to find out what chemicals were sprayed?? It sounds a bit suspicious for organo-phosphate poisoning. Check with your vet, but if she seems to be improving keep a close eye on her. Google organo-phosphate poisoning and review the symptoms to see if it coincides with her symptoms. Got my fingers crossed for ya,

 

[SuburbanChix1]

Thank you, I have been trying to find out exactly what was sprayed. I looked up organophosphate poisoning and I don't believe that is it.

My hens free range so it is possible that she ate something that gave her botulism. I read somewhere on here to add Epsom salt to her water and have done that . She is also panting on occasion, but it is warm here today, so not sure if that is a symptom of her illness or not.

Her poop is slightly more watery, but normal color and she is alert and able to move her head around to eat and drink. She tries to get up, and her legs move, but she can't control them or get them beneath her to stand.

I've reached out to a vet, but have not heard back from her.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. It seems like I have heard of hens becoming temporarily paralyzed from laying a large egg before--some sort of nerve problem. Hopefully someone else who has experienced that may chime in. Has she been vaccinated for Mareks disease? I hope she hasn't been poisoned. Botulism happens from eating decayed animal or fish carcasses, vegetation, or maggots. The paralysis from botulism moves toward the neck from the feet and legs. Hopefully she will start to show some improvement soon. Here is a similar thread about a hen becoming paralyzed after laying: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/846332/chicken-cant-stand-after-laying-an-egg

 

[SuburbanChix1]

Thanks. I'm not sure about the Mareks vaccine. She is 2 years old and I didn't ask when I bought her as a chick. I did suspect Mareks but after reading extensively about it I don't think that is it.

I'll read more on the egg-laying paralysis, but this started before her egg fell out today, and what I read so far is it usually happens after the egg passes. Until the last month or so, she regularly laid double-yolkers. Today was the first one in a long time. I did check out a link in the thread provided by Eggcessive (thank you) about egg laying fatigue and that doesn't seem quite right because I'm pretty certain the hens get enough calcium in their diet.

Her wings are paralyzed too. Not looking so good now. I hope she makes it.

 

[Eggcessive]

If both legs and now both wings are paralyzed, I would be very worried about botulism. The neck can become paralyzed, and some call this disease limberneck. Birds with botulism that live 48 hours after eating the toxin can survive with supportive treatment. Pleas keep us updated of her condition. Here is some information: http://beautyofbirds.com/botulism.html
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/botulism/overview_of_botulism_in_poultry.html

 

[SuburbanChix1]

She can still move her head and neck around fine and she had some slight movement in her wings. Her legs can move quite a bit, but they seem to spasm too. Her breathing is more labored now too.

Her stools are very watery now and her anus seems to be swollen and red and her feathers were missing in a large patch. I took a photo, but not sure if I should post that.

I'm pretty sure it's botulism. We've had a lot of rain here over the past 2 weeks with standing water everywhere. There could easily have been something dead somewhere on my property as well. I have about 2/3 of an acre. Nothing I saw today though when I walked around inspecting the yard.

 

[tridentk9]

Epsom Salt is a laxative ;-) it'll bring on diarrhea. That can be a good thing as it cleans out the gut.

 

[SuburbanChix1]

I am hoping the Epsom salt water is cleaning her out. I did just switch to apple cider vinegar in her water after reading about botulism on this site.

 

[SuburbanChix1]

Sweetie is doing better this morning, She even flapped her wings. She also laid 2 soft shell eggs and I hope that means her body is cleaning itself out. Legs moving more, but unable to sit or stand yet. Very alert and talking to me this morning. Also preening herself. I hope we are on the upswing.

Would human pro-biotics be good for her? I'm thinking of sprinkling it on her food.