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sparkysmum

Little Poot-------A Mystery

By sparkysmum, in Chicken Clinic

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sparkysmum Effusive Egg Layer

sparkysmum

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One of my happy, chirpy sablepoot bantams has developed a neurological condition & no one can provide an accurate diagnosis. If you can bear with me here is her story. She is about 13 mths old, one of three kept in an eglu with 4 metre run & f/r for at least half the day. She is fed a quality mash & corn. Grit, supplements etc always given.

 

A few weeks ago she was generally "off colour" but bounced back to apparent full health but I noticed she was unable to use her right wing fully. . However didn't pursue this as I was just happy to have her apparently "normal" again Although I did mention it to the vet.

 

A few days ago I noticed she was limping slightly although still happy. Within 24 hours the limp had developed into something much worse. She was unable to stand at all & she was unable to hold her head straight - her had flopped to one side. Things were looking pretty grim & she spent all day yesterday in the vet hospital.

 

The kindly vets were unable to reach a diagnosis & even consulted avian specialists on our behalf. They have come up with 3 possibilities :

 

1) Mareks, however unlikely due to her age and not true paralysis.

 

2) Calcium deficiency. It is suggested that she purposefully doesn't eat her quality food & only eats what she can find f/ranging This calcium deficiency may have resulted in granulomas being formed around her nervous system & associated neurological symptoms.

 

3) Problems in the reproductive system which have resulted in said neurological condition.

 

They have decided that there is nothing to lose by treating for calcium deficiency& yesterday gave her a dose of liquid calcium. Simon brought her home last night. She was able to resist being given her calcium & managed to eat some corn. :)

 

This morning she was amazingly still with us & I set up a little hospital wing in the garden so she could still be outside during the day & her friends could still see her. She was so poorly though I thought she would pass away during the day. Not so :!: When I got home from work she was on her feet :D & her neck seemed less floppy :D

 

I've put her to bed in her night quarters in the kitchen after having given her her dose of calcium.

 

Thank you for bearing with me for such a lengthy post. My reasons for posting are two fold. Firstly any ideas :?: Any experience/ suggestions :?:

 

Secondly and possibly more importantly I think it highlights the need/benefits of seeking the best veterinary advice. In view of how ill she appeared I was delighted and grateful that the vets saw that she wasn't ready to give up and they are giving her, a little hen, their best endeavors. It would have been all too easy to PTS

 

Thank you for taking the time to read, Alli xx

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chicken bark Chatty Chicken

chicken bark

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A very interesting read - thank you for posting.

 

I can't help but wanted to say good luck with the calcium treatment. I believe Poots are a breed more prone than others to Mareks :? is that right? I also have learned recently that Mareks itself isn't necessarily fatal and hens can recover so Mareks might still be a possibility.

 

Whatever she has I wish her a speedy recovery. Sabelpoots are adorable (I have recently hatched some Lemon Millefleur and I have some 7 week old Porcelains too). Always good for a cuddle.

 

Hugs to you and your girl.

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Groovychook Feathery Fanatic

Groovychook

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Oh I hope she's feeling better soon!

Well done to your vet :clap:

My lovely vet admits that chickens aren't her speciality. But, when I went to see her with two of my cats the other week, she announced that she and one of the nurses are going to attend a poultry course in September! :D

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sparkysmum Effusive Egg Layer

sparkysmum

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Well, she's still with us but I have to say, very poorly. I have spoken with her breeder who keeps, breeds & shows poots. She is as certain as she can be without seeing her that it is Mareks. She has had it in her flock :( Apparently sablepoots & seibrights ( sp) are particularly vulnerable. Although there is a possibility that she will recover I have to think about the possible danger she is possibly presenting to my other birds

 

However for the moment my feeling is "so long as there's life there's hope" Alli xx

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Redwing Chronic Clucker

Redwing

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I'd also say Mareks - there are different types as I understand it and sometimes you hear a story about a hen that has recovered from it as the severity varies

 

I have to say though it doesnt sound too good for your girl, I am sure you will know if the time comes though x

 

Its spread in dander so your flock will always be at risk sadly as the dust is virtually impossible to erradicate from everywhere your chooks have access to - many birds are naturally resistant so it doesnt mean that the others will automatically suffer from it

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sparkysmum Effusive Egg Layer

sparkysmum

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She's still with us but has not responded to the calcium supplements. Her vet phoned today to see how she was & is now also of the opinion that it is Mareks since the calcium made no difference. We are going to the vet hospital tomorrow evening for assessment. :( I am heartbroken. She was so fit, apparently healthy and just full of the joie de vivre. Everyday was a fun filled adventure. Horrible cruel disease. Alli xx

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sparkysmum Effusive Egg Layer

sparkysmum

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A quick update. Yesterday I felt all was lost as she was unable to get to food / water independently. Today I hoped for sun as I really wanted her to have a couple of hours in the garden before we went to the vets. With a herculean effort she managed to get to a sunny spot where she spent a few minutes. She has very little movement on her right side, but her eyes are bright and she is still inquisitive. So if I can encourage her to eat/drink the vets have agreed that we can keep going and review things again on Monday or before if need be.

Perhaps we are simply postponing the inevitable but I don't feel her time has come yet.

Thank you all for your kind replies. Alli xx

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sparkysmum Effusive Egg Layer

sparkysmum

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We realised yesterday that little poot wasn't going to improve or even stay the same and by this morning she was much worse - couldn't lift her head & all coordination had gone. I'll spare you the clinical details. She was pts earlier this morning at the vet hospital. She was so lovely.

 

This whole episode, the pain, suffering the distress has been so awful, for all of us. However it has made me think about vaccination and how all this could have been avoided if little poot had been vaccinated against Mareks. Whilst I don't want to start a whole debate here it's highly unlikely that I will buy unvaccinated hens again.

 

Thank you all for your kindness and support. Alli xx

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