JS1 Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) I'm just back from a week away and immediately noticed that Pavlova, my white leghorn (I got her POL in October, so she's probably around a year old) is unwell. Although she eagerly approached me for mealworms, she then immediately lay down. When enticed to move (more mealworms) she's walking very strangely - sort of one claw in front of the other, with one claw almost standing on her other claw. My lovely neighbour who looks after the hens while I'm away said she (Pavlova) had been very poorly for a couple of days but was a lot better yesterday and had made her own way to the Cube (the previous night she'd chosen to sleep in the Eglu which obviously doesn't involve going up the ladder). I've given her the once over and there's no obvious swelling or pain, no lice or nasties, no raised scales; her feet aren't 'hot', or red. She's thin, but she's always thin! Her comb is very floppy (well, she's a leghorn) but is looking slightly purply, which I know isn't a good sign. A few of weeks ago she seemed to be going through what I thought was a mini-moult - she has a bald bum - but that didn't seem to bother her at all and she had been laying/eating/drinking absolutely fine (I sprayed her with purple spray as her bum was a bit red, but the others haven't been bothering her at all. They are wormed regularly with Flubenvet. My feeling is that unless there's a miracle recovery overnight I'll get her to the vet tomorrow, but I've been frightening myself by googling 'chickens walking strangely' and see it's a symptom of Marek's, which obviously makes me worried about her and about the rest of the girls (all of whom seem hunky dory). Any thoughts? Edited May 23, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Sorry no advice but didn't just want to dash off, hope she is ok in the morning and the vet can sort her out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 Thanks Molly - will let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Good luck, hope you can get help for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Vet says not Marek's - he thinks it's something neurological and has given antibiotics to prevent meningitis. He also thinks she's very thin (she is) and depressed and says to try to get lots of fluids into her. He's also checking whether it might be a vitamin deficiency. She was very lively when at the vet and is now in splendid isolation in the Eglu run with a plate of natural yoghurt, chopped grapes, mealworms and a little corn. The others are stomping about outside looking very, very jealous. I'm waiting for the vet to call back because I'm none too sure of the Baytril dosage - label says 0.5ml in water twice a day for seven days, but he's only given me a wee drop (about 1.5ml). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 Three days on and she's still with us, still on her own (but in sight of the others) in the Eglu and run. She's enjoying her food which she starts eating standing up, but gets trembly so kneels down again - she's getting her antibiotic on grapes and is also getting mealworms and bio yoghurt mixed in with layers pellets to encourage her to eat and to get some fluid into her. I'm also worming the whole lot a month early (having checked with the vet it's okay) in case it has been a parasite problem. The others are obviously on pellets only (being wormed) so are absolutely furious to see her tucking into her little plates of goodies, top hen Ena in particular just can't believe it; I'm sure they're holding angry union meetings in the Cube So it's just a case of wait and see and hope she gets better; she seems happy enough, so fingers crossed.Anybody think of anything else I should be doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Well done sounds like you are doing a good job. Hope she continues to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 nutri drops are good. x and critical care which i put on what little poolies do eat upping their nutrients. Also with this heat for a change, you might like to offer her some watery ready brek, and cucumber is great for fluids. good luck there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Just done an online check as I'm due to do the worming in a couple of weeks.... Marriages (online shop still under development so you have to phone them) 10kg bag of pellets + Flubenvet = £13.00 inclusive Farm and Pet place 10kg bag of pellets + Flubenvet = £9.48 inclusive. Marriages are rather slow on the uptake methinks... no online shop as yet and by far the most expensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 Thanks for support and suggestions! She's looking a bit better today, but isn't eating her pellets so isn't getting her Flubenvet - I've asked the vet to ring me as I'm thinking of giving her Panacur instead - I remember The Dogmother saying ages ago that she gives that once a year as it's a broader spectrum wormer, and at least I'd know she was getting it! Cucumber is a great idea in this weather, thanks ETA Nutri-drops now ordered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
