5 Year Old Hen Is SICK HELP!!!!

[Yuki]

I have a 5 year old hen whom is getting worse by the day. She is over 5 years of age, so i know she is very old. Here is some of her medical history; she once had coccidiosis a few years back and suspected to have cancer over 6 months ago by vet. She has huge decrease to her intake of food, way more picky than she has ever been, lost a lot of weight, sluggish, doesn't want to move very much and pale of comb and face (using B6,B12,K2 vitamins to help her but not to much improvement), getting tierd, moving more slowly, not able to jump/climb up things that well, has lost muscle size and started recently sneezing constantly, along with eccessive amount of mucus.
She no longer lays any eggs, will not eat her favorite treats anymore and started molting (surprised she is molting). She also has very loose formed to diaherra consistency of poop.

Ive been giving her vitamin B6, B12, K2. Should I add ACV, natural probiotic boost to everyone too? For use as a dewormer/boost immune system?

I just need some answers. I don't want to put her down. Her lungs are clear along with a good sounding heart beat. Next week i'm going to screen some of her fecal matter for any parasite eggs and for etc. Note: I am working to become a vet tech, 2nd year of schooling and only 7 years of experience of having chickens. Im stumped!

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

I have a 5 year old hen whom is getting worse by the day. She is over 5 years of age, so i know she is very old. Here is some of her medical history; she once had coccidiosis a few years back and suspected to have cancer over 6 months ago by vet. She has huge decrease to her intake of food, way more picky than she has ever been, lost a lot of weight, sluggish, doesn't want to move very much and pale of comb and face (using B6,B12,K2 vitamins to help her but not to much improvement), getting tierd, moving more slowly, not able to jump/climb up things that well, has lost muscle size and started recently sneezing constantly, along with eccessive amount of mucus.
She no longer lays any eggs, will not eat her favorite treats anymore and started molting (surprised she is molting). She also has very loose formed to diaherra consistency of poop.

Ive been giving her vitamin B6, B12, K2. Should I add ACV, natural probiotic boost to everyone too? For use as a dewormer/boost immune system?

I just need some answers. I don't want to put her down. Her lungs are clear along with a good sounding heart beat. Next week i'm going to screen some of her fecal matter for any parasite eggs and for etc. Note: I am working to become a vet tech, 2nd year of schooling and only 7 years of experience of having chickens. Im stumped!

I know it's hard to let go, but sometimes you have to face it. She's suffering. If she was suspected of having cancer, that means her quality of life isn't good.

5 years is old for a chicken, and she will likely pass soon anyway. I know you don't want to, but I would put her out of her misery.

 

[coach723]

If the vet suspected cancer, then that is likely what is going on. Reproductive cancers are not uncommon in laying hens. There isn't much that can be done for that, and the slow deterioration is usually how it goes. I've lost several that way, and the symptoms match. Her immune system is going to be weak, which leaves her open to all sorts of things. She may just be reaching the end of what her body can take. I'm very sorry.

 

[Yuki]

I figured it was getting close to her time.

 

[Yuki]

Her abdomen was filled with fluids too as well. I expected it to be coming. I am waiting for her to tell me when she ready to go. its her choice when its time. thank you for giving me feed back.

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

Her abdomen was filled with fluids too as well. I expected it to be coming. I am waiting for her to tell me when she ready to go. its her choice when its time. thank you for giving me feed back.

Sour crop possibly?

I am sorry. I understand your pain. I lost a chicken recently, and she told us when it was time to go. We had to put her asleep.

 

[Yuki]

Yeah I know how it feels. sorry for your loss. Her abdomen area on chickens are near there cloacca (butthole/egg pooper). Yeah I kinda suspected she had cancer as well. But it is her time when she wants to go. hahaha but she seems to be up and ready daily for living for a gal her age. ive got 2 hens that are 5. 1 whom is sick and the other who is fine.

 

[rosemarysugar]

I would recommend taking her to a vet that sees chickens. There might even be an avian vet near you.

 

[Yuki]

I would recommend taking her to a vet that sees chickens. There might even be an avian vet near you.

Yeah that's how I found out she may have cancer. they cant do much since she is this old. ill still make another appt just in case tho. thanks.

 

[rosemarysugar]

Yeah that's how I found out she may have cancer. they cant do much since she is this old. ill still make another appt just in case tho. thanks.

I hope all goes well!