Leg paralysis emergency

My baby Sammy was rushed to the vet's after I found her today unable to walk, or even to stand.

She'd passed the second large egg yesterday, but the symptoms were so close to those for egg binding that I just took her to the vet immediately and asked for an X-ray and a scan, in case there is a third egg or some other oviduct problem.
The other possibilities I could think of were Salmonella (not very likely), PMV (even less likely, especially as it seems she's already had it, and recovered) and worms (but she was wormed -- for roundworms, threadworms and flatworms) a month ago.

Something else that worried me is that she lost weight, in spite of apparently eating lots, and I wouldn't have guessed it from the poop count.

I'm waiting now for the vet to phone back to say when I can collect her. One of the avenues the vet is investigating is possible Vitamin D3 poisoning! I will never forgive myself if I caused this to happen by giving her supplements...

Any other thoughts?

Oh no Teresa! You must be beside yourself with worry.

I'm wondering if its due to egg binding, I've seen this in not only birds but reptiles too.

I just hope the egg didn't break as she was trying to pass it.

Someone else may have another idea though....

Please keep us updated

The X-ray and the scan were clear! There's no third egg, and no injuries due to laying that they could see. There's no Vitamin D3 poisoning either! (I felt awful when they suggested that, especially as I was sure I hadn't overdosed her, but you never know, as all patients are different.)

What the tests revealed was a very low calcium level, in spite of the grit, the sunshine, and the supplements! The vet said it was likely that PMV survivors had a tendency for calcium deficiency.
So she had injectable calcium+ vitamin D, and they kept her in for observation, because if that's all it is, with that injection she should be able to stand tomorrow.

Meanwhile her mate Pippin is beside herself, looking spooked and off her food, poor thing. I promised her Sammy would come back and would be OK. I wish I could speak Pigeon!

Sounds like egg paralysis due to lack of calcium/vitaminD. It is very painful for the hen.

Matilda wrote:

Sounds like egg paralysis due to lack of calcium/vitaminD. It is very painful for the hen.

Poor Sammy! And thank you, Charis, for advising me a few days ago to give her a supplement, otherwise she would be even worse!

I'm sorry to hear about Sammy, Teresa, but relieved to know the diagnosis wasn't any worse then it was.

Sending get well wishes her way.

Please keep us posted.

Sammy is standing!
And in principle she'll be coming home tomorrow.

It's terrifying how quickly a situation like this develops, and how wrong you can be thinking that, just because a bird has plenty of grit, oystershell and sunshine, she must have all the calcium she needs...
I'll have a word with the avian vet tomorrow about Sammy's calcium needs so it NEVER happens again.

Thank you, Cindy! It's such a huge relief...

Teresa wrote:

Thank you, Cindy! It's such a huge relief...

It's very scary when it happens. I'm glad she is okay.

So very glad the vet was able to find the cause of poor Sammy's problem

Let us know what the vet tells you.

Thanks, Charis! I hope she's not in pain any more, my poor baby!

Oh my Teresa - i am so glad that your vet found the problem!!!! This would have been awful!
This also tells me that I have to keep a close eye on Pina so that this does not happen to her.
I am giving her twice a week CALCIVET - one big drop distributed on 5 herb pellets and I feed it to her manually to make sure she really has it - on top of all the egg shells and grit etc....

I hope that this is enough!

pigeonwriter wrote:

Oh my Teresa - i am so glad that your vet found the problem!!!! This would have been awful!
This also tells me that I have to keep a close eye on Pina so that this does not happen to her.
I am giving her twice a week CALCIVET - one big drop distributed on 5 herb pellets and I feed it to her manually to make sure she really has it - on top of all the egg shells and grit etc....

I hope that this is enough!

Petra...this is the dose for individual birds.

Individual bird dose is 0.2mL per 100g body weight.

Charis, are you sure about this dosis? Isn't this rather for mixing the calcivet in the drinking water? But I am applying it directly in total and pure!

Sammy is back home!

The first thing she did was eat a big meal, and then she went and settled in her nest, which I made extra comfortable just before I picked her up. When she got into the nest her expression changed, became relaxed and, if I didn't know better, I'd say she was smiling!

At the vet's she had shots of calcium and vitamin D3. Now she's been prescribed a dusting of calcium powder (without vitamin D3) in her food every day for 15 days, and after that she's to have calcium+vitamin D3 once a week as required, especially after laying.

Thank you for your support, everybody, it's just great to have my Sammy Sue back!

Sammy's back home.

I'm so glad she's doing well, Teresa.
Many thanks for the update.

I can't say how happy I am for you to have Sammy back at home & soon to be a healthy pij again!!!

Give her scratch on her head for us!

AZWhitefeather wrote:

Sammy's back home.

I'm so glad she's doing well, Teresa.
Many thanks for the update.

Thank you, Cindy! I was thrilled to get her back so much better!

EgypSwiftLady wrote:

I can't say how happy I am for you to have Sammy back at home & soon to be a healthy pij again!!!

Give her scratch on her head for us!

I surely will -- thanks, Robin!
In fact, I'm just back from going to see her (as I've been doing countless times) and telling her all sorts of sweet nonsense!
You can't spend 7 months handfeeding a rescue without forming a very special bond with her!

Teresa - i am soooooooooo glad you have her back well.
You know that I can feel exactly like you.....


Btw - does Sammy still have seizures from time to time? I forgot to ask....

pigeonwriter wrote:

Teresa - i am soooooooooo glad you have her back well.
You know that I can feel exactly like you.....


Btw - does Sammy still have seizures from time to time? I forgot to ask....

She had a few a couple of months ago, but they were very light. There were 2 or 3 a day for 4 days, and then no more.