Treating Botulism? **UPDATED*RIP Spike

[threehorses]

Is the poop rather dark or bright green? It might actually be the botulism if he had that - coming out. If it's dark green and he's not eating much, it could be the bile from his system. Are they for sure runny right when he drops them? versus when you find them?

Sounds great so far. Peddling. He's trying hard.

How big a bird is he? The sling helped as it was less stressful for my Dingey chicken to start to exercise resistance with her legs - because she couldn't fall down, but she could eventually push with them. Mostly she pushed to turn herself around if she was ticked at me. lol And eventually she pushed herself out of the sling and across the cage. Great day, that.

If not a dust mask (which I chose for breathability of the material) you could make something similar out of something soft like fleecey material that helps against bed sores, for example, if you wanted to try it. I still recommend elastic bands to hold it up as that allows for some cushioning if they start pushing themselves.

 

[artsyrobin]

Well, this morning he reached up and scrached his face... i will try to make a sling today, his poop comes out in a powerful stream about 6 inch long- its a lighter shade- with dark in it. and he has begun talking again

 

[threehorses]

Can you give him some powdered oatmeal* in the yogurt before you mix it with other stuff? Seems like he has something going on, but is increasing in health. I'd be a little reluctant quite yet to give him antibiotics. But it would be nice to have that firm up a little.

How much yogurt are you giving/ If he's a young or smallish bantam,not a full grown full fowl, I'd give him at this rate a scant teaspoon max. Then make a small baggie of oatmeal powder (instant or regular oatmeal in the blender or food processor til powdered) and give 1/4th a teaspoon of that in the yogurt). If he's getting more, it might be causing issues. Though I'm thinking it's a leftover from whatever happened.

Otherwise amazing that he's scratched his face! Definitely a stronger improvement than I would have even imagined so soon. Nice!

 

[artsyrobin]

hi- i shifted to baby oatmeal, and cut down on the yogurt, he really went crazy over the oatmeal, finishing it off, seems more alert and aware too, even to complaining if he falls over, have him propped with a towel around him, and he seems to be continually preening- took him outside this morning to sit in the sun before it got hot, and he tried to grab a spider- so he is getting there...

 

[threehorses]

Ahhh that sounds good! Yeah oatmeal, really small in size, I think gives them an energy boost. I always use a little powdered oatmeal in water for babies that come or hatch weak. Just enough to make the water thicker than water.

But this is good news. Amazing really.

 

[artsyrobin]

yes, it is something i will keep on the shelves- he was chirping off and on today, and both feet are moving- his ppops are more solid too- he does occasionally have head twiches, like something is tickling him... you can see how he lays on that one side still

 

[threehorses]

Head twitches could be something neurological there - something that he apparently is getting through, amazingly! It does take time.

If he had neurological damage, the nerves themselves don't repair. But apparently the body allows for new neurological pathways to form to help the bird function more normally. This takes time, of course. It also helps if the animal uses the area so that the body is "forced" to forge new pathways.

Feel like a little chicken therapy?

If you're very gentle, and if you feel he isn't at all stressed, it might be helpful to just move his legs for him a bit - especially the "off" side. Pick his wing up, let him put it down, etc.

We had a horse who had a neurological illness come up this year - inflammation causes nerves to not function, temporary paralysis and ataxia (inability to move normally). If you relieve the inflammation, you can save some of the nerves - others you can't. So I had to learn a lot about how the neurological system works and thankfully it's some information that can help your bird!

That's how you get lemonade out of lemons, for sure.

That's also where I discovered how E is used for neurological issues - have read lots of articles now on it in all sorts of creatures, including humans. I'd keep up on that for sure.

All of the news is wonderful as is the picture.. And especially the droppings being more of a solid consistency. I was worried about dehydration and other things, but this is good stuff.

Cheers!

 

[artsyrobin]

i really am amazed at my little miracle- he is a fighter for sure- i will work with his legs, i did something similiar with my rescue sparrow, Clare- her story is here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgortonart/sets/72157594503801179/

she is now 4, and lives in my studio- still has a droopy wing, but otherwise a happy little thing- and she loves the silkies...

 

[threehorses]

Aww Clare is lovely!! The story was wonderful. What a dear you are to save her when things seemed so bleak.

We, too, have a sparrow: Pleekah. We're not certain yet if Pleekah is amale or female (leaning towards male as he grows in his new feathers). This is my third sparrow in my lifetime and they're wonderful, vivacious birds! If any bird has the heart to survive, I believe it's a sparrow. There's a lot of personality packed into those diminutive bodies!

I'm looking forward to more updates.

 

[artsyrobin]

they really are amazing birds- since clare now has the silkies in with her, and she sees then in my lap, she has decided to do that too!LO!

Spike is slowly recovering- still unclear as to the cause of the paralysis- but he began eating on his own thursday.

he really is a miracle silkie- and sillie me, got all jazzed cuz he had solid poop today...