Chicken dying will be putting down soon...very sad

[DianeB]

I'm not sure if this is the right thread. Sorry if it's posted in the wrong spot.

I have a beautiful and sweet RIR that is showing all the signs of ovarian cancer. There is no point in prolonging her suffering. The earliest I can take her in is Tuesday, so at least I have the weekend to say goodbye.
She's not quite 3, which makes it all the more difficult. I feel like I barely got to know her and thought I would have had her for a few more years. My poor chicky chick. I already miss her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I feel for you. A vet is likely to be pricey for the procedure and depending on where you're located, your state poultry diagnostic lab will humanely euthanize and then perform a necropsy and tests so you will know exactly what is killing her and possibly for the same amount of money.
What state are you in?

 

[DianeB]

In CA. They do free necropsies here. I'm not sure about euthanasing. The vet is waving the appointment fee and only charging for the euthanasia.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In CA. They do free necropsies here. I'm not sure about euthanasing. The vet is waving the appointment fee and only charging for the euthanasia.

That's great but it would still be good to know exactly what the malady is.

California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory
University of California, School of Veterinary Med
620 West Health Science Drive
Davis, California 95616
Phone: 530-752-8709

I almost always send my sick or dead birds for a necropsy but then again, mine are extremely rare so it is absolutely necessary for me to know. Luckily no virulent diseases yet.

 

[DianeB]

Definitely will be taking her to be necropsied right afterward at the local UC lab.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I figured a state like CA will have more than the one lab I gave info on.

 

[DianeB]

Reread your post
Mine have always been cancer, tumors, interal laying, too. I'm almost positive that she has a tumor, too. All the symptoms of my other ones. I don't want her to suffer anymore. It breaks my heart, though.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I am so sorry for what you are dealing with. I would be heart broken as our chicks and chickens are family and our pets. Lots of hugs!

 

[SeaHen]

I’m so sorry. Has the vet confirmed nothing can be done for her? I’ve had chickens and waterfowl most of my life and the loss of them never gets easier for me. My very first chickens were 3 Rhode Island Reds and it’s my favorite breed to this day. She’s lucky to have been so loved and cared for. <3

 

[DianeB]

I’m so sorry. Has the vet confirmed nothing can be done for her? I’ve had chickens and waterfowl most of my life and the loss of them never gets easier for me. My very first chickens were 3 Rhode Island Reds and it’s my favorite breed to this day. She’s lucky to have been so loved and cared for. <3

I'll see during the exam. But, I been through this enough times with chickens and other pets to know heroics don't usually work and just prolong their suffering.

Had to put down a cat with a long-term illness last week, too. They always seem to die at once.