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

[OrpingtonManor]

Paris doesn't seem as well tonight. She's laying down most of the time. She isn't really eating her crumbles. She had one watery yellow poop today, and another watery green poop, and a few small normal ones (probably from this morning).

She did take the yogurt tonight, which is an improvement. (and her beloved blueberries, after that yogurt.) She took a few pomegranate seeds, too.

I just gave her the last injection for this course of antibiotics. I gave her only 4 days this time. (Last time I gave 7 days.) I don't feel like it is enough, but it also feels like the Pen G might be losing its effectiveness. I will have to order some Baytril. I can also give in and tube feed her the baby parrot food since she stopped eating the crumbles. (I will have some help tomorrow.)

This is a long road. I can't give up, but it's wearing on us both. She must feel terrible. I can't help but wonder if there was something I did that triggered this. At the very least, I would like to learn from this so I can prevent it in the future.

 

[Kittymomma]

 

[sammi]

Steffanie..you're doing all you can for your Paris..
try not to second guess yourself..
it's hard when they get sick and we wonder what we could have done differently to prevent it..
It's as hard on us as it is on them.


I lost a special hen (my first small flock)some years ago, before I knew anything..and still wonder what went wrong and turn it over and over in my head what I would do with what I've learned since then.
It was because of losing my Rosie, I started researching and learning all I could.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

We're supposed to be the smart ones, and they count on us to fix these things. They give us service their entire lives. I don't take that lightly.

I appreciate the help you've given me.

I'm still fighting for her.

 

[sammi]

Steffanie...I know exactly what you mean..
I had 2 little dogs since they were 5 weeks old... they were almost 15..
one was going blind, most likely from a small stroke..
and I did everything I could...tried different meds in case it was senility..etc. etc..
I hand fed and watered him for more then a year..carried him up and down the deck steps so he could get in the yard..
I could not give up.
I still grieve for him every day..

 

[LilBizzy]

Quote:
You know, that's a sign of a good mommy. There is nothing you did to trigger this. You have really been doing all you can to help her. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone even knows how to prevent things like this from happening in the future.

I wish there was more emphasis on backyard chickens as pets. Cats and dogs have been studied & researched, and it is well known the potential genetic health problems they may have. You know, certain breeds have hip problems, or breathing, or whatever. Chickens, to the rest of the world, aren't seen as pets. The only way to really know what is going on is through the experience of other backyard chicken owners who understand that they aren't " Just a stupid chicken".
You may want to contact the Chicken doctor, Peter Brown - http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/

HE has a forum where you can ask questions also - http://www.featherfanciers.com/index.html

You are really being a very responsible pet owner. You have put in a lot of time trying to help Paris. If she was a human, she'd be thinking how great you are, and proud to be part of your family!

 

[ranchhand]

Sorry she's still having problems, Steff. Maybe you should bring the others in to keep her company. Okay, I am kidding about that!

 

[speckledhen]

Steff, I know how you feel. We fought for my Skye for over two weeks, but her crop refused to function. She did pass on a few days ago. All you can do is try, sweetie.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

thanks everybody.

I did take her outside over the weekend to free range with the others for an hour or so. They ran right up to her, and I was a little worried at first. Gwen, the alpha, can be pretty pushy about her dominance. Instead of pecking Paris, they all started making little happy noises when they got to her, and then went back to eating weeds.

I'm thinking now would be the time to get a little watermelon, and sprinkle it with parrot food powder, and let her try that with the others eating just plain watermelon. She might get more excited about eating if they are around her in a feeding frenzy.

ETA -- oops, that was Wednesday, the OTHER weekend this week! It feels like Tuesday, since yesterday felt like Monday. I'm clearly tired!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Quote:

to you Cyn. We do the best we can. It's still hard to realize that we might not fix it.