Vitamin B deficiency / Should we let her go??

[hd_darcy]

My son and I are hugely conflicted on a little d'uccle pullet that we have in the house right now. She's about 3 - 4 months old. A little over a week ago, we noticed that she couldn't use one leg. We brought her in the house to try to help her. The next day, she couldn't use either of her legs. I was fearful it was Marek's. However, after researching, I am thinking it's a Vitamin B deficiency. We are now on like day 6 with giving her a Vitamin B table dissolved in water daily. She is not getting better yet. However, she eats and drinks when we offer it to her. So, I feel like she hasn't gave up yet? She really can't even stand though. Her toes are complely curled in / twisted. I called the vet (yes, vet), and they could euthanize her tomorrow for me. But, I'm second-guessing myself. Maybe I should give her more time? I just do not want her to suffer in any way. Could it take more time? Or being she hasn't improved yet, does that mean she more than likely won't?

Please help. This is not easy. I do not want to prolong her suffering, but I do not want to euthanize her, if there is hope yet as well.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[FortCluck]

You should get the vitamin b complex at tractor supply that you pull out with a syringe and put it directly on her food.

Putting it in her water isn’t effective unless she’s drinking the entire thing at one time. Vitamins in water are truly less effective than giving it to them orally or on their food.

I have no say on whether you should euthanize or not because that’s a family decision. If any of our chickens are showing signs of suffering like weight loss, can’t eat, can’t drink, we euthanize them and cremate them to feed the earth.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Because you dont know what it is, mereks or vit b, maybe treat her with vit B and see what happens. If she doesnt improve, cull her but send her to your state lab for proper diagnosis so you know what you are dealing with.

Has she been in contact with other birds in your flock? Keep an eye on them for symptoms.

 

[hd_darcy]

Because you dont know what it is, mereks or vit b, maybe treat her with vit B and see what happens. If she doesnt improve, cull her but send her to your state lab for proper diagnosis so you know what you are dealing with.

Has she been in contact with other birds in your flock? Keep an eye on them for symptoms.

Thank you. Yes, she was with our 27 other chickens. No other signs with the others. How long do I treat before I would see an improvement? I'm on day 6 of her getting a full pill. I hate to give up on her, but I also don't want to see her suffer either. Such a hard decision.

 

[hd_darcy]

You should get the vitamin b complex at tractor supply that you pull out with a syringe and put it directly on her food.

Putting it in her water isn’t effective unless she’s drinking the entire thing at one time. Vitamins in water are truly less effective than giving it to them orally or on their food.

I have no say on whether you should euthanize or not because that’s a family decision. If any of our chickens are showing signs of suffering like weight loss, can’t eat, can’t drink, we euthanize them and cremate them to feed the earth.

Thank you. I've been giving her a B complex, but I crush it, and mix it with a tiny bit of water. I then give her the water through a syringe. Yesterday she would drink it in the palm of our hand. Also been coating bread with it too, to get her to eat. So,for the past 6 days, she has been getting about a whole pill once a day. Should I get and give her the Tractor Supply still with knowing this? How long do I let her go, before I decide to let her go? Ugh..... Poor chicken.

 

[Punkybrewster]

THAT i dont know. In all the years ive never experienced or suspected vit B problems in my flocks. Heard of it but i dont know long to treat.

Hope by keeping this thread active someone with experience in this matter will come along and have an answer for you.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would probably give the B complex a little longer, especially if she is eating and drinking. Yes it may be Mareks, but there is no time limit on treating her for riboflavin deficiency. There is a $20 blood serum pcr test for Mareks that you can try to do through this lab in Texas, or contract the U. Of GA vet school for here:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
I would treat her for 2 weeks. Then if you feel like putting her down or she dies, your state poultry vet usually can do a necropsy and test for Mareks. For now, a chicken sling or chair may be something you would want to try, and here are some examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[hd_darcy]

I would probably give the B complex a little longer, especially if she is eating and drinking. Yes it may be Mareks, but there is no time limit on treating her for riboflavin deficiency. There is a $20 blood serum pcr test for Mareks that you can try to do through this lab in Texas, or contract the U. Of GA vet school for here:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
I would treat her for 2 weeks. Then if you feel like putting her down or she dies, your state poultry vet usually can do a necropsy and test for Mareks. For now, a chicken sling or chair may be something you would want to try, and here are some examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Thank you! As long as my son is on board, I do think I would feel better giving her more time. I just hate to see her suffering. I will look into a sling or wheelchair for her. Lately, I have been wrapping her in a stretchy wrap so, she can't claw herself. I have her in a shoe box with a dip in it what kind of supports her. I have seen her stand a couple times, but not much.

Again, appreciate the help. I will get some electrolytes for her today, and probiotics too.

 

[Eggcessive]

Will she eat any feed made wet with water, scrambled bits of egg, canned cat food pate, and tuna? Those are things I offer in a small bowl to one that needs to eat. I would cut the B complex in half and give that each day. Electrolytes are best given to those that have nit been drinkinging, and should only be used for a day or two. Slings are easy to make out of material to suspend the chicken in front of food and water:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F236x%2Fd5%2Fc2%2Fb9%2Fd5c2b968713259922930a7ca27c5a288.jpg&hash=1e17ea8e6e3ea75cfb977271de90a459

 

[hd_darcy]

Will she eat any feed made wet with water, scrambled bits of egg, canned cat food pate, and tuna? Those are things I offer in a small bowl to one that needs to eat. I would cut the B complex in half and give that each day. Electrolytes are best given to those that have nit been drinkinging, and should only be used for a day or two. Slings are easy to make out of material to suspend the chicken in front of food and water:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F236x%2Fd5%2Fc2%2Fb9%2Fd5c2b968713259922930a7ca27c5a288.jpg&hash=1e17ea8e6e3ea75cfb977271de90a459

Thank you for the help. I have tried to suspend her a couple of times, but it just didn't look comfortable. But, this looks very do-able. I will see what I can do to make her something.

She seems to be eating more than drinking. Should I even bother with electrolytes, or probiotics? And giving her Vitamin B twice a day sounds like a plan as well. I've been giving her a bit of Nutri-drench too. Should I continue? I offered her eggs a couple times, and she doesn't seem to like, but will try again. I've been giving her a bit of yogurt, her regular food, and some bread coated with the vitamin B paste.

I will go today, and buy her the cat food pate as well.

Really appreciate the help! Thank you!