AndreaT Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 My araucana has a droopy wing! I noticed on Saturday that one of her wings was slightly lower than the other. Yesterday when she came out of the coop it was dragging on the floor! It did get a little better through the day and today it is still very low. She is eating and drinking ok and seems fine otherwise. She is on her own at the moment as she had her tail feathers plucked out by the other girls last week. I tried to examine her yesterday but she really doesn't like to be handled, I could move her wing and it didn't seem to distress her, and I've been giving her some arnica. Any ideas what it could be? I'd really like to get her back in the WIR with the other girls but don't want to put her or the others at risk. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 I think it could be any of a number of things. She could be weak due to a general illness or anaemia but you say she is otherwise well. Botulism can cause paralysis but I believe this would be bilateral. The most likely with one sided is Mareks disease. I really don't know, I hope when you see her in the morning it has resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted December 26, 2011 Author Share Posted December 26, 2011 Thanks Plum. I did some research on Mareks and it seems to be in very young birds and affects the legs as well so I'm hoping it's 'just' an injury. If there's no improvement tomorrow I'll make another trip to the vets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 One of ours had a droopy wing, then laid a softie. It happened a few times then she sorted herself out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 One of ours had a droopy wing, then laid a softie. It happened a few times then she sorted herself out. She has't started laying yet, but has been spending a lot of time in the coop. That could be down to the horrendous winds we've got again today though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Thanks Plum. I did some research on Mareks and it seems to be in very young birds and affects the legs as well so I'm hoping it's 'just' an injury. Not always very young birds, Andrea. We lost two of our beautiful sablepoots to Mareks some time ago. They were both adults, well over a year old, nearer two.. Having said that sablepoots are very susceptible to Mareks and as far as I know araucanas much less so. Hoping it is something innocent. Fingers crossed. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 Hi all, My araucana is still living in the hospital wing by herself and still has a droopy wing. She's been to the vets a couple of times and they are quite sure it's not Mareks. They have ruled out a break or dislocation and think it is nerve damage. On her last visit the vet gave her a steroid injection and hoped that there would be some improvement as she has pain feeling in it. Just over one week on there isn't any change. I will have to take her back early next week and know I am going to have to make a decision on what to do. The vet I see has over a hundred birds herself so is very good with chucks and she did mention amputation. She also has a goose who had the same problem but now lives with it's wing strapped up and she it cleans it to stop maggots .But it now lives with her sheep instead of other geese. There's also the third option which make me too sad to think about. Fizz is healthy in every other way; eats, drinks, has dustbaths and is constantly wanting to go back in with the others. She doesn't like to be handled though and I have to strap her wing at night or I can't get near her. She is still young (about 9 months) and hasn't started laying yet. Sorry for the long ramble but I really don't know what to do for the best. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
