Bloody discharge from vent, HELP!*Graphic Pic*

[LynneP]

I understand, I have sex-links, too and they're great birds. I'll check back later.
Give it your best shot.

 

[baltimoreharps]

Just checked her. There's a thin, clear discharge, very much less than in the pic before and that's been about an hour ago.

 

[LynneP]

That's a good sign, I wonder if she passed the shell...if she will eat/drink this is a good chance to offer vitamins and yogurt in her feed...

I keep amprollium on hand in electrolytes. I've never needed it but I was told by an experienced owner to have it- available at feed stores, co-ops, ag supply stores...might be an idea to get some, when you can.

 

[baltimoreharps]

I think that I'm going to have to force liquids. I still have a syringe from our baby squirrels that we're raising that goes up to 1 cc. Will have dh pick up some vitamins on his way home to mix in with the water and some yogurt.
Would you still try the bath or heating pad now?

 

[LynneP]

Yes I would and she needs to come out of the flock in case she has an infection.

 

[Jenski]

LynneP has given great advice re. the bath. Amprolium is a thiamine blocker used for cocci, won't help here. Electrolytes definitely would help. You could even use Gatorade if she will drink it.

Be careful trying to force liquids, as a chicken has a tiny windpipe that can easily be choked.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[baltimoreharps]

Ok, she's in the bath tub in a warm bath and is in the dark and quiet. Dh is on the way home from work and is picking up vitamins and antibiotic.I got a little water down her throat, but want to wait until dh is home to push with the vitamins.

Whatever happened, happened fast, dh said that she was down and scratching at 8 am.
The local feed store recommended that we just get rid of the entire flock as they are older birds, but I do NOT want to do that!

Thank you SO much for your help!!

 

[Jenski]

I would not be too hasty to cull the entire flock. Just keep an eye on them. It may indeed be just the one hen with a problem.

BTW, if you read this forum long enough you will find that "feed store advice" can range from the reasonably sensible to the outrageously ridiculous and even harmful. Like any advice, it should be taken with a [large] grain of salt.

Good luck, and hang in there with your girl!

 

[LynneP]

I'm hoping to have some of my girls when they are 10...

Yeesh, again I agree with Jen.

If she was up and about at 8am, that's more good news.
You may catch this before any infection can set in...

I'm beginning to wonder if the nasal discharge was high blood pressure from straining. Also, her eyes looked very red, possibly from straining also, or maybe it's the photo only?

 

[baltimoreharps]

Quote:
DH picked up the antibiotic and the feedstore guy kept insisting on "starting over". DH got the real impression he just wanted to sell more birds. Our flock is not necessarily "older". We do have 2 old girls that we knew about from the get go. The sick hen is either very young and just started laying or is older and is going into the non-laying phase. The other 3 seem to be in excellent health and laying well.

The sick hen has a raspy almost gurgle to her breathing and the discharge from the vent seems light, slow and clear. I'm not sure which to be more concerned about, the discharge or the raspiness.

She's out of the bath and dried off and is in a make shift nesting box DH made. I managed to get a little of the antibiotic down her along with some of the vitamin solution.