Aster update : spoke to the vet.....not looking good :(

[Memphisjourney2seramas]

don't give up yet. I had a baby chcik that got a piece of string tied to her tongue and then the other end was attached to the brooder. we had to get tweezers and cut it off and who know how long it was like that. Anyway it wouldn't eat and looked like it wanted to die, but my husband was out of town for 4 days and i didn't have the heart or stomach to do it myself. It got so bad and so skinny and so weak. I tried to force feed it and that didnt help. long story short....it starting getting better and now it is fattening up. It is still in the brooder and is like a little momma to all the new chick that come in. It will never be a normal chick, but it is happy to be alive.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Thinking of you. Good luck

She may pull through; I've been surprised as well!

(For future reference, you might consider nitrogen as an alternative to the axe, etc.. A canister might run $80 from a welding supply place, but refills are inexpensive. Research indicates it's a humane method, and there is no hypercapnic response as with carbon dioxide. There are a few great informative videos and articles out there if you decide to look into it.)

 

[kelar]

I hope she pulls through for you and I agree that they can survive some horrendous injuries if they get through the stress and trauma of the attack and there is not too much deep damage to organs or infected deep muscle. The whole thing about your vet not wanting to euthanize a chicken is just plain ridiculous. We are out in the woods and have tons of coyotes as we are surrounded everywhere by forest land. I would hate to hazard a guess at how many chickens are buried on this property and we've never had anything even attempt to dig one up. Not to mention the other companion animals in the pet cemetary who were certainly not euthanized with an axe! I think the price is also just highway robbery - my vet charges $15 for a small animal euthanasia. I can't imagine her telling me to just use the axe

 

[littlenell1]

A lot of animals sort of shut down after a trauma to concentrate on healing. Could she be doing this? Sounds like she is much loved. I used honey a lot on wounds my dogs get and have also used this on myself! I hope Aster has made progress overnight.

 

[java girl 2]

Do Not Kill Her!! Let Her Live!! If She Dies Then At Lest You Know You Did What You Can Do !! I Say Do Not Kill Her Is Becuces I Had "choc" A Guinea Cock That Had Very Deep And I Mean Deep Back Wounds His Whole Back Was Open To The Bone And Up To His Nack As Well. And He Lost A Lot Of Blood When I Found Him!! I Had To Put Hydrogen Peroxide On His Back 2-3 Times A Day. I Know They Say Not To Put This On Deep Puncture Wounds But This Was All I Had!! He Did Not Eat Too For Days> And You Know What??!! He Lived!!!

 

[hennypennysmom]

Well, the "chicken vet" offered to euthanize her for the cost of their office visit ($48) if I bring her out to the farm this evening. I think my husband was VERY relieved. Although that's still a lot of money, it's low enough to persuade him. I think the thought of it has been weighing heavily on his mind. Because my daughter is so attached to her too - this is probably the best route to go.

This morning Aster is STILL alive, but is still not coming towards food/water - she doesn't move her head forward - doesn't peck. She'll only drink if you put the spoon up to her beak and immerse the tip of her beak IN the liquid (pedialyte)...and she seems surprised when that happens. I'm not sure she can see or hear at this point. Although she DID chirp quietly at my 9yr old (we call her the chicken whisperer) last night. The farm vet said that because the puncture wounds were on the side of her head, on top of her head (they are pretty extensive) that it's almost probable that there is neurological damage - which is why she isn't pecking, eating or drinking.

I think a few people misunderstood, the vet yesterday didn't refuse to euthanize her and didn't recommend the axe. She recommended we ask our own vet (Dr N) if he would euthanize Aster - she thought it would be cheaper than their office visit fee. Our own vet (for our pugs) qouted $98. I emailed the farm vet (Dr P) and she emailed me back this morning, saying if $98 was the best he could do, she'd offer to do it for their office visit fee of $48. She just told me about the axe method she uses because I asked her. She totally understood how difficult this was because our kids were involved and because we are NOT chicken farmers!

So, I'll nurse Aster today - and if there's no real improvement we'll take a ride out to the farm tonight and will let her go.

Thanks again for all the support. It's comforting to know that we're not the only ones so attached to a chicken!

 

[1livelychick]

I'm still pulling for Aster. What if it's like the previous post said...just give her some time. I've had some chickens that have pulled through with just time and some not. WOuldn't it be easier If you have the time and things that bring her comfort to let her go naturally? I know this is hard for you...sending you prayers!

 

[kelar]

I think some will recover with time, but if she has internal injuries or infection then she is just dying slowly and it would be kinder to euthanize her than let her suffer. Only her owner and/or the vet can assess the situation and sometimes letting them die naturally is not kind or humane.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
X2. I think it's one of the greater acts of love in the end.

 

[tellynpeep]

So sorry about Aster. There are antibiotics that are approved to use in chickens and other food producing animals. They have listed/legal withdrawal times. I don't know why that "chicken vet" won't recommend that. Puncture wounds have to be treated systemically; topical medications just don't get into the deep wounds. I have treated a couple of chickens that were badly mauled by dogs. One was living in the house for nearly 2 months but she did recover.

I am a vet and , sorry, I think $98 is a bit over the top for a chicken euthanasia.

I hope things work out for you.