13 Week EE Injured (17 wks now) ~Vet Update Not Good~ *Graphic Pics *

[NancyBrew]

Hey Sheila, You continue to amaze me!

One thing I thought about is the fact that Penecillin is rarely given for sinus infections these days in humans. The bugs that cause them are usually resistant to the Penecillins and synthetics and people are usually given a Sufla type anibiotic instead, it being better able to work on closed space infections like Staph and E Coli, and other more resistant strains of Klebsiella and Strep even. So switching to a new antibiotic is a very good idea.

What I am worried about....One thing that concerns me is the promixity of this terrible infection with her brain and this could be the cause of her balance/dizziness/sleepiness issues as well. That one damaged eye is infected and if it is then the optic nerve may be and that is a direct tract into her brain. So the longer this goes on the more likely it is you are going to see complications in this raging infection in her tiny head...Now I am no expert on chicken anatomy and I just using my knowledge on humans to relate, but it may further warrant a trip to the vet...Also he may lance that abcess perhaps and it would finally granulate in.

I hate to bring this up....it is already so overwheming, but it is something that needs to be thought of I think.

Hang in there!

n

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I have felt so helpless reading of your plight. But it sounds like you have the best of support from your "friends and neighbors" on this site. What a truly "giving" bunch your helpers have been and what an inspiration you are to all of us.

Just want you to know that another chicken lover is pulling for you and your chick!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
I agree, and this is what I've heard. Honestly, I'd rather hedge my bets and have **something** going in there to help until the medicating period is over. Probiotics are inexpensive, so it's not a huge matter. It hurts nothing as long as you're not using yogurt with certain antibiotics. There is no contraindication. Sometimes practical outweighs technical.
I do like the idea of nebulization. The reason I didn't suggest it in my post is that in order to effectively treat a sinus, you must be able to reach it. So I opted for the flushes first. For an upper respiratory illness, nebulization is still an idea within reach. For a lower respiratory system, nebulization without the proper equipment wouldn't really be possible at home.

That, in my mind, is on backburner. Currently the sinuse must be flushed and antibiotics must get in there. Flushing with antibiotic in solution is also a common protocol. But knowing the history of congestion, at the moment it's best to have systemic antibiotics to help the areas that can't be reached yet by a home-flushing. At a vet, there would be a different way to do it - one that I can't recommend for someone at home.

Again - practicality outweighs technical in practice.

Like NancyBrew, I worry about this as well. It's time for it to get the big ammo.

As for Baytril, the only way you can get it locally is from a vet. (That might be the one thing that tips the scales in the direction of the vet for you?) Otherwise, it's very very difficult to find unless you happen to be near one of the pigeon suppliers. Foy's doesn't carry it any more. Seigles is said to, but I can't tell by their catalogue which is the product. I don't know if any places are near you - thus unfortunately the online.

But at least we can still get it! For now.

I'm sorry you're feeling unwell. But I'm proud of you, the way you've carried your mom's legacy of caring into your own life. She must have been remarkable, and apparently the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

Take care, and thanks for the laugh on the terramycin ointment. It just figures doesn't it? /sigh

As always, watching how this goes.

 

[Lorimary]

I see purpletree23 has the same offer out that I made to you for visiting a vet. I'm still good on the offer too. If it makes you feel any better, we can split it!

At the very least that would make the Baytril available immediately and it's probably not wise to wait for it to be delivered by mail at this point.
I am so happy that there are people on this site that can help you, and like so many others, I come home from work, and immediately check to see how you two are doing.

You are doing a wonderful job!

 

[threehorses]

I don't often do this, but I'd certainly pitch in too.

Incidentally, I so thought about you tonight when I went out to the barn and low and behold there was a possum. Thankfully my boyfriend was with me and was alot less emotional than I was and we got him trapped to take care of tomorrow.

I was of course crying, feeling horrible about it, and yet I look over and see my babies, see my horse I almost lost because of a possom this year, and I could just see those two wounds on your girl's face - and all the hard work you've put into this bird, and I knew I had to trap him.

It made me just all the more sorry that your bird ever met a possom, though I'm glad we all got to "meet" you anyway. Just would have been better under more fun circumstances. >

Anyway, hope you're feeling better tonight and that chicken duty went well!

 

[Lolliegee]

Okay, you all have convinced me. I'll call the vets tomorrow and see who will treat a chicken. I am so amazed by the outpouring of generosity, it leaves me speechless. After talking with my hubby and reading the arguments presented here, it seems the best option to take her to a vet and get the Baytril quicker, rather than having to wait for mail order.

I'll let you all know and PM the ones who've offered to help. Thank you so much!

Tonight's update:
Something I did yesterday had a definite effect. When I went to take care of her tonight (I only felt up to one care session again today, but am feeling better now) she had soooo much gunk coming from everywhere. Both eyes, the open wound (wasn't so open before I cleaned it), both nostrils, and the roof of her mouth. Thick gunk, more than has ever been there before. I'm thinking it must've been the flushing that I did. It seems to have allowed stuff to flow better.

"I'mnewtothis" asked about Benadryl...I had been thinking about that myself, but now I'm thinking even if it is safe to give a chicken, it's kinda like I do with medicating myself and family. I believe the stuff runs out for a reason. It's clearing the infection/cold/whatever and it needs to be allowed to do it. I rarely give medication like that unless someone is just really miserable.

Her balance is still really off. I feel so bad for her. I don't know if it's just because she's so weak or if it's the infection. I know she is terribly weak. She is the epitome of "skin and bones". When I bathed her tonight, I felt like I was washing a carcass left over from after a meal. She's that skinny. I could totally see her breast bone and actually most of her joints are pretty visible through the skin. The poor thing has no muscle at all to keep her warm after her bath, so I dry as well as possible then wrap her up in a big towel (that I can wrap several times around her) while I clean and feed her. When I'm all done and put her back in her tub, I put the light down close to her, but she still shivers for a little while.

I'm sure she's getting enough to eat, because even though I only fed her once today, she still had a little bit left in her crop from last night. That's a pretty good sign right? Her poo is also very normal looking. I think it's just that all the energy she's getting from the food is going right to her healing and can't go back to building her muscle yet. I do know that I can't give her as much as the healthy hens get. I've felt their crops at night to see how full they are for comparison and if I try to give her that much food, she starts regurgitating it.

Nathalie, I'm so glad you caught that opossum!

I used to think they were pretty innocuous creatures, cute even. I don't really think that way anymore. Although, I do respect that they are just doing what comes naturally to them. Find and easy food source and keep coming back. I just don't want them doing it in my backyard!

We haven't seen anymore evidence of the opossum, but we've also been very diligent about closing everything up. Finally got the duck house finished, so now we can get the ducks out of the coop. Funny ducks have decided they like the coop and we're having to move them every night. Hopefully, they'll catch on soon. The coop really isn't big enough to have ducks in there too. I'm still hoping to hear back from the wildlife place, I'd still like to try and trap it.

Okay, I guess that's all for now. I didn't think I was gonna write so much tonight, but at least I kept it to novel length this time.

 

[Lorimary]

"I'm sure she's getting enough to eat, because even though I only fed her once today, she still had a little bit left in her crop from last night. That's a pretty good sign right?"

I hate to be negative, but in my experience, having raised many injured wild birds, I've found that when they're compromised (or very young) they do not digest their food properly without enough warmth. Not having much body mass might cause body heat loss, and might make it difficult to digest.
Once again, I don't know much about chicks, but this might apply.

Yay for seeing a vet!

 

[Lolliegee]

Quick update:

She shivered for quite awhile last night after her bath. Doesn't seem to be doing too well.

Managed to find a vet that'll treat her. Headed there now. Will update when I get back. Wish me luck.

 

[toredano]

I been following this since the start.I am rooting for her.

I do sincerly hope she will make it thru this. Maybe the vet can give her some imune boosters, vitamins etc or maybe a little bit of steroids.

If she makes its thru this.. she better lay ya a golden egg.. you deserve it for sure



Petra

 

[Chew593]

good luck at the vets! Will continue to lift you and Jennifer up in my thoughts. Can't wait for the update.