16-mo old BO hen internal layer? update: Paris necropsy pics (graphic)

[OrpingtonManor]

update on Paris...
she has been in the pen with the others since I last posted on this thread, and all has been well.... EXCEPT she hasn't laid an egg. She had been molting, so I was okay with that.

This morning, she was standing in the run with her tail down. She didn't respond when I gave them treats. Now she is looking a little better, with her tail up and walking around. Still, that earlier behavior worries me. I'm going to get some liquid calcium and give it to her. It can't hurt.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I gave her liquid calcium, 3cc by oral syringe. My local drugstore didn't have it, so I went to a health food store and found it. She took it, mostly. Now she is free ranging alone. I dug up a bunch of earthworms for her. She ate them, but is way too lethargic. Her vent is stained with yellow poo again, so I am guessing we have another infection going. Darn!

The blueberries are thawing...

 

[usschicago1]

If she has an internal infection what do you do?

 

[speckledhen]

All you can do is dose her with heavy antibiotics. I've used penicillin at 3/4 - 1 cc daily for 3-4 days, but honestly, that is just a shot in the dark type thing. Had two hens recently ( numbers 7 and 8 to have this issue) whose abdomens were full of fluid/infection. Gave them the shots and they both normalized, though they are extremely thin and may not make it through the winter. They then went into molts and haven't started laying again... and frankly, may never. But, one of them had an almost black comb from the stuff pressing on her organs and her color is normal now.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Hi Cyn,
Well here we are again. I am bracing for another week of a chicken in the bathroom and antibiotic injections. Right now she is still eating, but clearly is headed down the wrong path. She ate her fill of worms and blueberries, as well as weedy things in the yard. Now that I know she has a good amount in her crop, I will let out the others. She is just standing there, not scratching. Occasionally preening, but my spidey sense is tingling on this.

Do you know if I can give the liquid calcium daily? Like everything else, I plan to do the best within my skill set, and go for broke. If she doesn't make it, at least I tried.

 

[LilBizzy]

Oh, no!! Sorry to hear Paris is not doing well! I'd trust that spidey sense..... Just keep an eye on her. I think if you can keep her eating, that will help. It's amazing how quickly they lose energy when they do not eat.. I hope she was just havving a lazy day...

 

[speckledhen]

I really don't know about the liquid calcium. I've done a crushed Tums in egg emergencies (dlhunicorn has documentation on that), but never have tried liquid calcium. I'm sorry she seems to be back at square one. I have a blue Orp hen in my LR who is dying and it's a crop issue, exacerbated by her molt, plus something else, I have a feeling. She's had 3 days of Pen-G and her comb is black-purple right now and she can barely stand. If she isn't on the upswing soon, she'll have to be euthanized. Was going to do it today, but DH wasn't ready yet.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

The liquid calcium I bought is mostly oyster shell in suspension. Do you give the crushed Tums daily? or more often?

While she is backsliding, I don't think we're all the way back to square one. At least she is eating, and doesn't feel all swollen like last time.

The molt definitely made things much worse. I feel so bad when they suffer, but haven't the courage to cull. She is at least feathered out now. Maybe she will respond faster this time.

 

[speckledhen]

I give them a Tums once a day if they seem to be having issues. It's so frustrating, I know! I hope she pulls through this for you. That darn molt is awful and makes everything 100x worse.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I think I'm going to bring her inside tonight. It's getting really cold here. It will be in the low 40s tonight. (I know, it's relative. Cold in California is not really cold, but my chickens are used to the warmth.)

I am frustrated. I will do the best that I can and learn to let go. That's easier said than done.