What's wrong with my RIR?

[iamliamsmommy]

She's a 2-year old RIR. I bought her, with 5 others, when they were weeks old. The neighbors dog got the other 5, over a year ago, but she's still here and she's our pet.

My husband noticed this morning that she couldn't walk. Her right leg is completely limp and she can't stand up. She's usually very vocal and isn't making a peep.
Her comb is warm to the touch and seems slightly paler than usual. She's panting, but does not seem to be in pain. I'm feeding her water from a syringe because she won't drink on her own. She won't eat. I tried yogurt in a spoon, which she usually gobbles up, but is not at all interested. I brought her in the house and put her on a blanket, to warm her up and make her comfortable (she loves coming inside and stealing butter from the counter!).

She has the run of the yard. I feed her Purina pellets, scratch grains and dried mealworms, as a treat. We live in NH and it's still been very cold here, so her water has been freezing every night, but I give her fresh water every morning. She has a coop to herself and puts herself to bed every night. It did warm up quite a bit yesterday and my dogs drank all of her water, but it wasn't more than an hour that she went without water. I hope she doesn't have Mareks! Her eyes have not changed at all and are clear and bright. Anyone have any thoughts? I can't afford a vet for her right now . Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[realsis]

is the leg paralized or limp? I've read over the symptoms does she have any other symptoms at all? is the leg curled up or stretched out or just dangling? maybe a picture would be helpful! are her hocks or feet swollen or hot to the touch? does she rest on her side or keel? does she have wing or head tremors? are her foot joints white?how are her droppings? it could be mareks however it could be other things also. would you consider the leg paralized? or different. these questions can help determine what's wrong. I'm looking in my chicken health handbook and for her age it could be a few different things but I'd need more info to match a diagnosis in the book. its very important to know weather or not the leg is actually paralysis or different... maybe you can supply a bit more info on that.

 

[iamliamsmommy]

OK, thanks for your response. I'll try to answer all of your questions. I can't really tell if her leg is paralyzed. I think I'd say yes. When I pick her up, it just hangs there and she's not moving it. It's not curled up. If I didn't prop her up, she'd be laying on her side. She's tried to move a couple of times and her left leg seems to be working fine, but she doesn't go anywhere. I have her resting on a blanket. She's not moving or making a peep. I'll try to take a picture. I also noticed that she's been resting with one eye open. She can close both, but she's been resting with her right eye open. Nothing seems swollen or broken. No wing or head tremors or shaking. This came on very suddenly. She was fine yesterday, I was feeding her cheese, which she loves. Her poops seem normal and solid. And, like I said, she does not seem to be in any pain, but, of course, I can't ask her to be absolutely sure... Thanks for any help you can offer! -Michelle

 

[iamliamsmommy]

 

[iamliamsmommy]

You can see from the pictures that her talon is not curled up, but it is definitely paralyzed and is just flopping around. She does have a little bit of clear discharge coming from her nose (probably from stress?!). Also, she laid down earlier and there was a small puddle of clear liquid (drool?) pooled under her beak, when I picked her up. Poor girl, I'm so worried about her! I hate to see her have survived a dog attack and the really rough winter we just came through, only to die now!

 

[realsis]

only other thing is besides mareks is botulism. but with botulism the paralysis is not rigid.and she would have her neck stretched out and trouble swallowing. let's talk about Marek's.it says it comes in different forms; ocular making the iris grey or visceral with internal tumors or neural with paralysis or cutaneous skin with enlarged feather follicles. the only way to know for sure is a blood test ...I really hope its something else... maybe give her some vitamins and help her eat. watch her closely. gosh I sure wish I had some better advice but I tried! see if she improves. I really wish I could be of more help. there are lots of members who have dealt with mareks in there flock IF that's what it is and they are much more knowledgeable than myself on the disease and can help better than I. I would post a picture and see what others say. I wish I could be more helpful I did try. I'm sure someone else who knows more about mareks can help. again IF that's what it is. could be a lack of vitamin also. let's see what others think. I do really wish you the best and hope in some small way I have helped. keep us posted on her condition. my thoughts are with you today. again wish I could have been more helpful! God bless. best of luck lynnette

 

[iamliamsmommy]

Thank you, Lynette, of course that helps! She is steadily declining and I have to prepare myself for the worst. She just started making a grating noise when she's breathing and yellow discharge is coming from her bottom, now, instead of poop. She does not seem to be uncomfortable or in pain, which is a blessing. I couldn't bear it if I thought she was in pain. Whatever it is, it certainly came on very fast. I would go get her some vitamins and Pedialyte, but I'm afraid to leave her. I'll keep you posted on her condition, but most likely she won't make it through the day.

Thank you again. -Michelle

 

[realsis]

oh Michelle I'm so sorry it does sound like mareks with the labored breathing and diarrhea like symptoms. it would be the neural form. its very common sadly... it can cause sudden death. just keep her comfortable and stay with her . she knows she is loved. there is notmuch more I know to do. perhaps someone who has experienced mareks knows of something? I just want to say I'm thinking of you and you are in my prayers. I'm sending a hug to you ((hug)) hang in there and if you need a friend I'm here OK. you don't have to go through this alone if you want to talk I'm here for you! I just wish I knew of more to do!! take care and I'll check on this thread through out the day to see how she's doing. your friend; lynnette

 

[iamliamsmommy]

Lynette,
Thanks so much, she did pass a little while ago and I just buried her. I'm so grateful that she didn't suffer much. I can't help wondering if there was something more I could have done or if she died because of something I didn't do. As I buried her I thought of planting some flowers there to honor her. She would really like that because she loved to eat my flowers, LOL! I put her in her favorite sun-bathing spot, right below the little hole she dug for just that purpose. I know at least she is at peace, now. I'm attaching a picture I took of her last summer, eating flowers in one of my flower boxes. Thank you so much for your kind words and support.

Your friend,
-Michelle

 

[realsis]

oh I am so very very sorry! thank you for sharing this beautiful picture! I grieve for her also.I can barely type through my tears! .....just know you did all you could and when she passed she knew she was loved and comfortable! I also believe some day you will see her again in Gods house he builds for you! she just went on ahead to help get it ready. please don't think for one second that you did something wrong! you did EVERYTHING you could! goodness with her symptoms if it was Marek's not a thing we could do to make it better but just be with her and comfort her! I wanted so badly to help her! I also began to feel helpless as I went through everything possible in my health books. I wanted so badly for it not to be Marek's. I am very glad she did not suffer and went peacefully to God. she was so beautiful.she will always be in your heart! I'm so sorry I couldn't help her! if you ever need a friend I'm here for you OK.? I'm so sad to hear this news! please take care and I will keep you in my prayers....