Terryg- So sorry for your loss. I agree it is very hard to make that decision and it is very important to keep a watchful eye on them. I feel very blessed that I have time everyday to spend with my girls. Everyday I hold them and love on them and I feel confident that I am alerted to the slightest change in their behavior. I have two girls, Shelby and Julia that have some form of
ascites. Because they have not showed any signs of decline except a swollen abdomen and had stopped laying, I decided I was going to do all that I could to find some solution. I am glad that I did because of looking thru all the threads I found where someone had suggested to try milk thistle. I have been doing this now for over a month and I have seen a significant drop in the size of their abdomens and both have started laying again. I am not saying they are cured I'm just saying I would have hated if I had culled them just because of what 80% of what I read said it was terminal. Again I think the key is just being keenly aware of their behaviors and knowing when there is even the slightest change. It is the hardest thing to put down a beloved pet that's for sure!!
Tamtam- we are all good here so far. The heat has been rough but I'm doing all I can to keep them cool, except load them all into the house I do know most of their laying schedules so I have an inside "laying Station" in the laundry room. I bring them in to lay and they love it. Their coop gets up to around 115 degrees so getting to come inside to lay eggs is a treat!
Good idea to drain Buttercup. She will feel much better in this heat!!
ascites. Because they have not showed any signs of decline except a swollen abdomen and had stopped laying, I decided I was going to do all that I could to find some solution. I am glad that I did because of looking thru all the threads I found where someone had suggested to try milk thistle. I have been doing this now for over a month and I have seen a significant drop in the size of their abdomens and both have started laying again. I am not saying they are cured I'm just saying I would have hated if I had culled them just because of what 80% of what I read said it was terminal. Again I think the key is just being keenly aware of their behaviors and knowing when there is even the slightest change. It is the hardest thing to put down a beloved pet that's for sure!!
Tamtam- we are all good here so far. The heat has been rough but I'm doing all I can to keep them cool, except load them all into the house I do know most of their laying schedules so I have an inside "laying Station" in the laundry room. I bring them in to lay and they love it. Their coop gets up to around 115 degrees so getting to come inside to lay eggs is a treat!
Good idea to drain Buttercup. She will feel much better in this heat!!