Hello all,
My favorite hen has been ill for about a month now. I'm trying everything to find the cause and treat it. Last week I called all 4 vets in the area that see chickens and they're booked out 3 weeks. I'm afraid she'll die before her appointment so I'm trying to keep finding a cure.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Ameraucana, 3 years old, unsure on current weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Lethargy, unable to get up steps, unable to reach roost to sleep. Watery droppings and soiling herself. Appetite is good, she is still foraging and eating. As of 4 days ago her belly has become swollen and firm. Skin color is naturally a fleshy pink but around cloaca it is the color of purple bruising. Dull feathers and feather loss on abdomen. Face area isn't pale per se, but has the look of a non laying hen, which she has not been laying since August.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Around a month
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
At this point now that she has developed a new symptom I could search, I am assuming "vent gleet" or cloacitis.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Yes, I watch her eat and drink daily
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Watery, dark greenish brown, no urea cap
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Two doses panacur 10 days apart, Corid water treatment for coccidiosis, Braggs apple cider vinegar in water, warm Epsom salt bath daily, complete clean and disinfect of coop, starting treatment with nystatin suspension 2ml twice daily
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Both? Vet cannot see her for weeks, trying to prevent death
I am using a liquid nystatin suspension given orally twice daily with a single day dose of poultry multivitamin. I am on day 3 of treatment with nystatin. Today she appears to be holding her tail up much higher as she walks about and her waddling is less severe. She is active and spry, if I call she will come running as fast as she can. I'm feeding her a dollop of skyr (Icelandic yogurt) daily also. Today her droppings look like they are starting to become more solid. I'm not sure if it's working or too late considering the condition of her body. Her abdomen looks and feels like a grapefruit is stuffed inside her. I'm so worried. What can I do??
My favorite hen has been ill for about a month now. I'm trying everything to find the cause and treat it. Last week I called all 4 vets in the area that see chickens and they're booked out 3 weeks. I'm afraid she'll die before her appointment so I'm trying to keep finding a cure.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Ameraucana, 3 years old, unsure on current weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Lethargy, unable to get up steps, unable to reach roost to sleep. Watery droppings and soiling herself. Appetite is good, she is still foraging and eating. As of 4 days ago her belly has become swollen and firm. Skin color is naturally a fleshy pink but around cloaca it is the color of purple bruising. Dull feathers and feather loss on abdomen. Face area isn't pale per se, but has the look of a non laying hen, which she has not been laying since August.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Around a month
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
At this point now that she has developed a new symptom I could search, I am assuming "vent gleet" or cloacitis.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Yes, I watch her eat and drink daily
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Watery, dark greenish brown, no urea cap
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Two doses panacur 10 days apart, Corid water treatment for coccidiosis, Braggs apple cider vinegar in water, warm Epsom salt bath daily, complete clean and disinfect of coop, starting treatment with nystatin suspension 2ml twice daily
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Both? Vet cannot see her for weeks, trying to prevent death
I am using a liquid nystatin suspension given orally twice daily with a single day dose of poultry multivitamin. I am on day 3 of treatment with nystatin. Today she appears to be holding her tail up much higher as she walks about and her waddling is less severe. She is active and spry, if I call she will come running as fast as she can. I'm feeding her a dollop of skyr (Icelandic yogurt) daily also. Today her droppings look like they are starting to become more solid. I'm not sure if it's working or too late considering the condition of her body. Her abdomen looks and feels like a grapefruit is stuffed inside her. I'm so worried. What can I do??
.
