What's up with Lily???

[Nicos]

Update....

She seems livelier this morning- and rather than cowering in a box under the shelf she was under the hanging feeder- yup- head upside down- but came rushing out after the others!
I went to the vet yesterday and he 'gave' me another 24 days worth of antibiotics...just in case!!!!
He said it certainly sounds like Vertigo due to an ear infection- and unlikely to be any mites etc in her ear as she's not scratching- and hardly head shaking.

When the 3 lads are dispatched tonight she'll not be picked on - the others have all been fine with her- so fingers crossed!

We're likely to be in the UK very soon- and the chook carer is happy to carry on giving her the antibiotics whilst we're away.
We'll review her the day before we go ..... ( but at this rate I'm hopeful)

It's strange cos she holds her head tipped to the side a if she's cricked her neck- but is easily able to stretch and bend her neck to groom both sides of the base of her tail. ( without falling over now too!!!

I'm glad I've not given up (yet)...and thank you Eco-chick- you mentioning a second or 3rd courses of antibiotics has given me extra hope!!!

[Eco-Chic]

That's good news Nicos.

I'm glad if I've helped a bit

I was adopted by a cat for about 8 months before he died and I worked out that he appeared to need a very low 'maintenance' dose of antibiotic to prevent a mouth infection which prevented him from eating and compromised his health. My vet agreed and I had him on one quarter dose daily of a teeny tiny tablet. It was an art cutting it so fine but did work for Barney

[Nicos]

Update...

Not going as well as I'd hoped to be honest

She's been running round the field catching flies, scratching about and dust bathing- but when she's indoors she's still doing he wobbly head thing, then lying on her side with her head twisted right round. Always when she's indoors- whether she's alone or not.
So at bed time I've been gently popping her into a box on the floor with lots of shavings- and non of the others could 'get at her' if they tried.
Basically the others are ignoring her and she seems perfectly normal during the day.
However- the weather has changed and I found her outside next to the shelter just about out of the rain doing her head rolling as bad as ever.
If I pick her up and offer her food she snaps out of it instantly.
Do you think its just psychological now..and to stop the antibiotics?
She's had 14 days worth now.
It's really sad to see her like this- she was having a decent quality of life running about during the day- but if she's going to be like this in the dark/ poor weather- then it might be kinder to 'let her go'
My gut feeling is to give her one last week- but do I continue with the antibiotics???..or just handle her loads and loads to up her confidence???
or...is this typical for vertigo in confined places and should clear up????

Oh dear....

I really need your advice folks!!

[di]

You know I'm not exactly an expert,but the fact that she's improved so much during the day would have me believe she's responded well to the antibiotics?
Does she seem badly distressed in the evenings or does she get off to sleep pretty quick?Only you know if she's suffering more than she deserves!
I don't know the science behind it but I know when hoomans get an ear infection it's often worse at night...I also from experience know that sometimes antibiotics can take longer to get rid totally.

Unles she's really suffering I'd maybe give her another week...like you say,she's running about being a happy chook all day...if she was ill ill then I'd have thought the symptoms would be there all the time.

Sorry I can't be more help. xx

[Nicos]

Ok- I've decided to carry on with the antibiotics for at least another week.
Is vertigo worse at night because we lie down?

I've spent a while watching Lily today- as it's getting dusk she'd taken herself indoors and was doing her circling had thing ,problem is that she bangs her head on the floor - which fortunately has a thick layer of shavings on it!
Anyway- I had to give her her raisin containing the tablet- and by putting my hand over her head/eyes, and gently turning her head to it's normal position- she was suddenly rushing round eating everything I threw to her. When the cockerel came in she pushed him out of the way to get at more treats!
As I stood over her , she suddenly started the head thing and rolled onto her side. It almost looks submissive- but moments earlier was pushing the cockeral aside.It must be vertigo??? But how strange that it comes and goes.
She's certainly not wary of me ..cos I'm 'sweetie lady'

A minute ago she was lolling around and Betty wanted to get past- so she pecked at Lily- who jumped up and got out of the way!!!!

This is really soooo confusing- has no-one had anything similar???

[Suechooks]

If she was mine I'd give her a bit longer with the antibiotics bearing in mind what everyone has said about middle ear infections. As she isn't fluffed up or tail down or any of the usual sick chook behaviours and because you love her (!) just let her be Lily. I have one who has 2 different eyes and runs backwards when she sees things on the ground but that's just how she is - had her checked out at vets and was ok. I guess what I'm saying is - as long as she's not obviously suffering and you're prepared to have her as she is then so be it.
<<<<Hug>>>> for Lily!

[Eco-Chic]

I'd ask the vet to prescribe a third week of antibiotics and if it doesn't make any difference stop them and see what happens. As long as she doesn't appear to be suffering and isn't being bullied just accept that she's weird.

[Nicos]

I bought a strip of 24 Baytril on top of the 14 day course- so I've got plenty!!!

Yup- I agree she's fit in every other way- she must make herself very very dizzy when she does her head thing. Although I suppose if it is vertigo that she's already giddy?

She's just been doing the same thing on her own in the middle of the field- and when I called the gals over for treats , she came running up instantly!!
I used to work with severely mentally handicapped children ( not sure what the PC terminology is these days) and they often used to self harm as a stimulus- it's almost the same thing- although she's fine in all other respects.

Will certainly keep going with the antibiotics...thanks

[tlck9]

Thanks for your comments on Omlet, I hope Lilly is better, its such a worry and you never actually know what to do for the best.

Hope all is well

[Nicos]

Update....

Got back from a week away- to find Lily still rolling her head on the coop floor.
She did stop it when I threw out food- but it's been raining all morning and she is sheltering with the others in the field shelter...yup- head upside down.
She did eventually come running over when I offered them some pasta

BUT...


Hmm...I'm now not so sure what to do.
She's had 4 weeks of antibiotics and shown no improvement at all over the past 10 days.
I'm thinking of stopping the antibiotics and giving her a week of lots of attention in case it's psychological results after her ear infection and being picked on by the the lads which now reside in the freezer.
If it's going to be a wet Autumn/winter and she spends most of her time indoors- she'll be lollong her head most of her time.
Sounds a bit cruel to me to expect her to live like that. Also- she's bound to get an eye/ear infection eventually with all that rubbing in the soil.
Poor thing- but I'm now thinking there's only one eventual outcome

[HayleyB]

Oh dear, shame really but it does sound like sommat a bit more sinister than an infection

[Suechooks]

It will be a shame if it comes to that but only you can make that decision for her. Poor Lily. xx

[frias]

Poor Lily. It sounds more like some sort of brain damage to me. We had a cat with brain damage that lived until she was about 12 but had to have her put down eventually as her mobility got really bad. The vet told me I would know when it was time but I do think I left it too late as it was so hard to make that final decision. ((((((big hugs)))))

[Nicos]

I know what you mean frias..the strange thing is that she can 'get the better' of the wobbly head thing when distracted - or out in the open- it only seems to happen in enclosed areas.

I really hope someone in the future gains from Lily's experiences...she's such a sweet lass when 'normal'

[Nicos]

After a 'poor' morning for Lily- we decided to end her misery.
Sleep well sweetie x