chooksy Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 (edited) Hi, I have an approx 9month old Cuckoo Maran. She's not started laying yet and her comb has yet to redden up so laying is still a way off. Recently she's started to look quite down, she sits all hunched up and won't eat very much. I picked her up today and theres nothing of her, very under weight. I've separated her from the other 11 as she was getting picked on. She's not snuffly or rattly. We have Tylan antibiotic in the cupboard from when they were all poorly in the Summer so I've been giving her this in her water. They were wormed with the white powder stuff not so long ago and I really don't think its this. All the others look in tip top peak condition so I'm guessing that the Maran doesn't have anything catchable and that somethings not right internally. I've had a look at her vent and all appears normal but then I don't see too many chook bottoms so I'm not 100% what it should look like! I think she is blind in her left eye, its cloudy green like a cataract? Not sure if this is to do with the other symptoms so I'm quite puzzled, just want to get her back on track and well again. If I take her to the vets I'm not sure what they could do for her? They were quite vauge when I took one of the hens in the summer. Sorry for the essay!! Hope you can help x Edited January 4, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Strictly speaking, you shouldn't administer antibiotics to an animal unless they have been prescribed for that animal by a vet. They might not be the appropriate treatment. Is she getting enough to eat if the others are bullying her? Might be worth allowing her to eat undisturbed a couple of times a day to see if this is the problem. She might just be a 'poor doer'. Some are. I would take her to the vet for a look see and then decide what to do from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 Thanks Egluntyne. I separated her from the others a couple of days ago so she has an Eglu and run to herself but she justs sits in the corner looking really down. I've cooked spaghetti for her which yesterday she was fairly enthusiastic about but today she's only eaten a tiny bit and thats her favorite! She's had a little bit of corn this afternoon. I've got to collect some tablets from the vets for one of the dogs tomorrow so I'll book the hen in to see the vet also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Mareks can give a cloudy eye so guess the vet can diagnose that. Hope she picks up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 She might have an infection in the eye. If left un treated it could cause blindness, I would recommend a trip to the vet who can give her the once over and maybe some stronger stuff like Baytril will wipe out any infection/other illness she may have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Thnks for the replies. She's booked in for Monday at the vets. I've brought her into the house to keep her warm. Her left eye is green but her right eye is perfectly normal. I think she was vaccinated for Mareks before we got her, could she still possibly have this? I think all or certainly most of the others have been vacc'd for Mareks also - any chance if Maran has it she could've passed it on? She's v.subdued, just wish Monday evening could come around a lot quicker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Here is a pic which shows the difference between a normal eye and one which demonstrated the discoloured iris of Marek's disease (on right). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Here is a pic which shows the difference between a normal eye and one which demonstrated the discoloured iris of Marek's disease (on right). Hmm, that gives me some hope that it isn't Mareks as hers is quite different. I'll try and get a pic of it and upload it. It really doesn't look good, completely grey and has happend very suddenly. She's perked up a little since being under the heat lamp indoors, but not wanting to eat. Edit - just put a bowl of rice in with her and she's quite happily munching away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Just a quick update, she's no better so she's going to the vets at 6pm tonight. I still have her indoors under a heat lamp. I tried to encourage her to have a walk round the kitchen to see what her movements like but she walked a couple of paces and made herself comfortable on the cookbooks shelf! She never was an energetic hen but she seems to have very little energy at the moment Really hope the vet can do something as I'd hate to loose her, she's one of the most sweet natured out of the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 How did it go hope she can be helped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 She's really not good OH took her to the vets and she couldn't even stand up on the table, just kept falling over. She thinks it could be salmonella but isn't 100% sure as the symptoms are a bit strange. She's had a vitamin injection, baytril injection and has baytril to take orally every 12hrs. She wants us to take a faecal sample to her tomorrow. Her temperature was fine and her breathing was normal. Personally I think she has gone past the point of no return She's such a lovely friendly hen, I'll be so if she goes. The vet says if she does go to the great flock in the sky to bring her body back for a post mortem. She didn't mention Mareks but I'm wondering if it is as her symptoms seem to tie in to that. If thats what she's got, will my others get it? I've checked them over and they all look 100% tip top condition but hens do have a way of making themselves look well when they're under par. I think they most were vacc'd against it as chicks. I'm petrified of loosing my girls, please if you have any advise please let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm grasping at straws here but could she have a sinus problem that s affcting her eyes and ears? that would explain the lack of balance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Here's hoping she picks up and responds. At least you have tried, she may surprise you yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm grasping at straws here but could she have a sinus problem that s affcting her eyes and ears? that would explain the lack of balance Thanks Redwing. She's lost a lot of weight and condition very quickly and today just seems really unwell. Here's hoping she picks up and responds. At least you have tried, she may surprise you yet. Thank you Heres hoping for her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Aww bless her. It's really difficult when they won't eat and so upsetting to see them lose weight (been there with a chook and going through it with one of my beloved triplet of moggies - renal failure ). I know our girls hide their illnesses very well and then suddenly go downhill very quickly - but here's hoping she responds just as quickly to the treatment and bounces right back up again. You're doing all you can. Fingers crossed. Hope you get some sleep tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Aww bless her. It's really difficult when they won't eat and so upsetting to see them lose weight (been there with a chook and going through it with one of my beloved triplet of moggies - renal failure ). I know our girls hide their illnesses very well and then suddenly go downhill very quickly - but here's hoping she responds just as quickly to the treatment and bounces right back up again. You're doing all you can. Fingers crossed. Hope you get some sleep tonight. Thank you for your kind words. I've just been in to check on her and I'm pretty sure she's not going to survive the night, she's going down hill very fast poor thing. I almost wish I'd asked the vet to put her to sleep as I can't bare to see her suffering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 She's gone I was watching her and her whole body started shaking and then she went still as if she'd had a heart attack Sweet dreams sweet one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm so sorry. Hugs for you, it is so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksy Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm so sorry. Hugs for you, it is so hard. Thank you for your kind words. Funny how attached we get to these little feathered friends. She was so lovely and would always jump up onto the perch and nudge you with her beak through the bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 What a shame, you both tried so hard I am sorry x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Oh no So sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Sad news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I was watching her and her whole body started shaking and then she went still as if she'd had a heart attack Sadly it is very normal for them to go in this way. Sorry to hear she didn't make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm so sorry, big hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
