5yo Buff Orpington, crop feels empty, gurgling, has spewed brown liquid 3x

[flaggmama]

Luna, our 5yo Buff Orpington, has been acting off and today I got to spend enough time with her to observe, research and provide (hopefully helpful) care.

She's moving slowly, staying at the edges of the flock, spends her time in a more upright stance than usual.

1. She doesn't appear to be egg bound. I'm not feeling anything.
2. Her crop felt pretty empty, just a little sandy (the run has a sand floor).
3. She had a warm epsom salt bath and she settled right into it, docile, no fight.
4. During the bath, I heard gurgling, like a stomach growling and she was doing a strange movement with her head, like she's uncomfortable, twisting it back and forth, arching the neck.

When I brought her inside to blow dry her off and set up the sick bay, I happened to tip her forward and a stream of brown fluid came flowing out.
It doesn't smell strongly or unpleasant, no fermentation.

This has been repeated a total of 3 times, now, and the last time some grass (not a lot) came out along with a few seeds. There are no worms.

She is standing quietly in her quiet pen and has pooped once, on the watery side, but normal color.

From what I'm reading here and elsewhere, this sounds along the lines of sour croup, despite the lack of smell, but I'm not sure. Just in case, I gave her Monistat.

We do have a vet who would see her, but they were closed by the time these observations were made and they won't open until Monday.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

During the bath, I heard gurgling, like a stomach growling and she was doing a strange movement with her head, like she's uncomfortable, twisting it back and forth, arching the neck.

When I brought her inside to blow dry her off and set up the sick bay, I happened to tip her forward and a stream of brown fluid came flowing out.
It doesn't smell strongly or unpleasant, no fermentation.

This has been repeated a total of 3 times, now, and the last time some grass (not a lot) came out along with a few seeds.

Welcome To BYC

I would treat for Sour Crop and impacted crop. Take care if you are tipping her to vomit the contents of the crop, she can easily aspirate and die. Many people have experience that.

I'd continue with the Monistat twice a day for 7 days. Coconut oil twice a day with a massage.
Check her crop in the morning, if it's not moving, then try 1 stool softener as well to see if that help breaks it up.
Here's the article I follow when treating crop issues. Do keep in mind that often there is an underlying condition like reproductive disorders, worms (you won't see those very often, a fecal float will tell you if worming is needed), infection, etc.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[flaggmama]

Thanks, will do! She did well overnight, will continue Monistat and the oil.

 

[flaggmama]

She was doing well last night and was hungry. She eagerly ate some critical care/carnivore care and drank water, took her Monistat (not sure why Autocorrect changed that to Motrin) well, but this morning she was back to lethargy, gurgling, and full of fluid. Her belly has also been full and pink, soft and squishy, not hard, which I previously neglected to share.

I ended up calling our vet, who sees lots of chickens, and got an appointment. On inspection, our vet felt strongly that the symptoms were of "reproductive disease" given Luna's history and behavior over the last few days, her keel was underweight, the sound of her lungs (crackly towards the back). We talked over the options and I decided with my daughter (who "owns" Luna), via text, to euthanise. I wouldn't mind daily care, but it wouldn't be much fun for Luna.

Luna lived a good life and has been a beloved backyard chicken. It's always hard to say good-bye.

 

[Kidwantschickens]

She was doing well last night and was hungry. She eagerly ate some critical care/carnivore care and drank water, took her Motrin well, but this morning she was back to lethargy, gurgling, and full of fluid. Her belly has also been full and pink, soft and squishy, not hard, which I previously neglected to share.

I ended up calling our vet, who sees lots of chickens, and got an appointment. On inspection, our vet felt strongly that the symptoms were of "reproductive disease" given Luna's history and behavior over the last few days, her keel was underweight, the sound of her lungs (crackly towards the back). We talked over the options and I decided with my daughter (who "owns" Luna), via text, to euthanise. I wouldn't mind daily care, but it wouldn't be much fun for Luna.

Luna lived a good life and has been a beloved backyard chicken. It's always hard to say good-bye.

So sorry for your loss! Sounds like she was well loved.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She was doing well last night and was hungry. She eagerly ate some critical care/carnivore care and drank water, took her Motrin well, but this morning she was back to lethargy, gurgling, and full of fluid. Her belly has also been full and pink, soft and squishy, not hard, which I previously neglected to share.

I ended up calling our vet, who sees lots of chickens, and got an appointment. On inspection, our vet felt strongly that the symptoms were of "reproductive disease" given Luna's history and behavior over the last few days, her keel was underweight, the sound of her lungs (crackly towards the back). We talked over the options and I decided with my daughter (who "owns" Luna), via text, to euthanise. I wouldn't mind daily care, but it wouldn't be much fun for Luna.

Luna lived a good life and has been a beloved backyard chicken. It's always hard to say good-bye.

I'm sorry for your loss

 

[Happy hen lover]

This is THE HARDEST part of pet ownership. I'm proud of your daughter for making the (sounds like) correct decision for Luna.