Acites operation a huge success

[blueberrychickens]

Awww.....poor girl. I hope she goes quickly & doesn't suffer any longer. You tried your best to help her.

 

[Karhog]

Poor Nancy and Poor You- thinking of you both

 

[azygous]

I want to post a conclusion to this thread, mainly because future BYCers might run across it searching for information on how to treat a hen afflicted with Acites. While I was pleased with the initial outcome following aspirating the fluid from Nancy's abdomen, I would have done one additional, extremely important thing that night have helped prolong her life. I would have given her an antibiotic before and following the operation.

The day before Nancy died, I noticed the skin on her abdomen at the site of the puncture was bright red, possibly indicating infection. Looking back, Nancy tolerated the operation extremely well, and even had a better appetite than she had previously. But the next morning, she was lethargic with no appetite, so I believe infection had set in overnight, and it was the infection that killed her several days later.

If I ever encounter this situation again, I believe that aspirating the fluid in conjunction with antibiotics would give a much loved pet hen some additional quality weeks or months.

It's such a troubling decision as to WHEN to euthanize. I loved Nancy enough to do it, but I wanted to give her every chance first to recover. Just as I was holding her and looking into her suffering eyes, telling her it was time to end it, she died in my arms, sparing me that difficult task.

 

[klmclain1]

I'm so sorry... you did everything possible and you were merciful. May she rest in peace now in chicken heaven!

 

[Karhog]

So sorry you lost her after all you did.

 

[pineapple416]

I am going through a similar situation right now thank you for your post.

 

[pineapple416]

Sorry for your loss