PLEASE HELP! Issue with 6 wk old emu chick!!!

[ButtercupSunshine]

Our 6 wk old emu chick started acting off about 3-4 days ago. She just wasn’t holding her neck/head right. She was eating when I noticed her moving her move slow and drooling while trying to eat, we felt uncomfortable enough to take her to the ER vet where they informed us they had some experience with emus. They ended up doing an x- ray and informed us she has a small blockage (probably from food and possibly due to not enough grit in her diet) sent us home once they got fluids in her and they gave us gabepentin and an antibiotic. It’s been 2 days since then and she still is off, even more dopey than before and we are very nervous! These are our first emus and we have a regular vet that can see him but he is away on vacation. We have been using a syringe to get water in her. We just don’t know if this is something unusual or something that happens in young emus. Pleas any one that has any kind of info we would greatly appreciate your help. We plan on trying to get her into a vet tomorrow but these are doctors who have some experience. We don’t know of anyone who has been around this kind of situation. Thank you all in advance!

 

[Cyprus]

@Pyxis may be able to help

 

[Kalifornsky]

Is she holding her head between her legs? Swinging her head around? These are symptoms of wry neck, a deficiency in vitamin E. I've treated this (also a chick around that age) with vitamin E oil which can be picked up at a CVS. It took a week for the symptoms to go away with regular doses of E oil in the food.

Was the bird checked for parasites? Is the poop looking normal? Does the bird have access to stuff like woodchips that might've led to the blockage? Is she eating normally or you have to force feed her? It's good that you're proactive on seeking help, their health can turn on a dime and it's scary business.

 

[Abriana]

Is she holding her head between her legs? Swinging her head around? These are symptoms of wry neck, a deficiency in vitamin E. I've treated this (also a chick around that age) with vitamin E oil which can be picked up at a CVS. It took a week for the symptoms to go away with regular doses of E oil in the food.

Was the bird checked for parasites? Is the poop looking normal? Does the bird have access to stuff like woodchips that might've led to the blockage? Is she eating normally or you have to force feed her? It's good that you're proactive on seeking help, their health can turn on a dime and it's scary business.

x2 this is good advice.

Also the E oil might help the blockage break up. Olive oil is also great for this kind of thing and really helps.

 

[Pyxis]

What have you been feeding, as well? I'm also wondering if they did any kind of fecal to check for parasites, as was asked

 

[CatWhisperer]

Gabapentin could be making her dopey. What purpose did the vet have for prescribing it?

 

[annie16fy]

It it usual for emu chicks to have parasites, would they pick them up after they hatch?

 

[CatWhisperer]

How is your chick doing?