Chicken very ill, need urgent advice

[Haf]

Do she has suddenly got up! I'm so confused right now, she looked like she was dead for a good 10 minutes. Should I get the amprolium along with the antibiotics??

Sometimes after rest she will randomly shake her body like she is trying to shake something off.

 

[Impatient]

Well having antibiotics on hand is always good, especially if your other hen gets sick you'll be able to start treatment right away.

 

[Haf]

She is lying very still, I think she may have stopped breathing but I'm not entirely sure. When I touch her, her eyes don't open but I can see them roll a little behind her lids.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry she is declining.

The liquid/water coming out of her beak sounds like a crop issue - she has a blockage somewhere. You report the crop is empty/flat, but she must be drinking(?) Crop issues can cause respiratory symptoms (gurgling/trouble breathing and sometimes wheezing) this would be due to possibly aspiration of liquids. Crop issues are often due to an underlying condition or illness like Coccidiosis or worm overload and internal laying/reproductive disorders. Inflammation in the intestines from Coccidiosis or worms can cause slow and/or block the digestive process making the crop stop functioning properly. Same with reproductive disorders - infection, egg masses/matter, tumors, cancer or fluid can block the internal organs creating stress and crop back up as well.

I've not seen any drug contradictions when using antibiotics with Amprolium, so generally speaking - it probably won't hurt. Depending on what you have access to - Penicillin is usually injectable and Amoxicillin is usually in tablet form so should not interfere with the intake of the Amprolium laced water. This is also to remind you as @azygous mentioned - we are not vets and can only give you what information that we have common knowledge of - it's always best to consult you Veterinarian when giving any type of medication.


I will post the link for crop issues and treatment again, in case you missed it back on page 1 of this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...d-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments.67194/

fwiw- Coccidiosis does not always present with bloody poop - if I remember correctly, there are only 1 or 2 strains that show as blood in the stool, the others (9total strains) present as loose stool most of the time with mucous. Accessing a bird for further symptoms such as lethargy, loss of balance/can't walk, ruffled/unkempt appearance, and considering whether or not they may have experienced conditions that might have caused an overload would be a few other things to consider when determining if Coccidiosis is a possibility (still in original coop, but bedding/feces became wet which then becomes a breeding ground), but of course -testing is the only way to know for sure if there is a Coccidiosis overload.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I hadn't started any proper treatment like antibiotics or electrolytes. I was going to this evening when my dad or brother came home so we could quickly buy it. I don't know if there's any point now? I feel terrible. Just sat here beside her, she won't even lift her head. Just opens her eyes briefly when I touch her. Doesn't even make her gurgling noises anymore, I don't actually think she's breathing much at all. Sometimes her head will ever so slightly twitch.

I am sure she is taking comfort that you are there with her, as a nurse I can tell you, sometimes that is all we can do, is insure comfort at the end. Still hoping and praying for you and your hen.

 

[Haf]

Hi everyone,

First of all I just want to say thank you so much for all your helpful tips and words. I appreciate them all very much. Unfortunately my beautiful hen died about an hour ago. I went into the kitchen for a minute and heard a noise like she has convulsed. When I went to check up on her she was sprawled across the floor, clearly no longer alive. I wish i had posted here as soon as I got her back from holiday, I might have saved her.

 

[Impatient]

So sorry to hear . The forum will always be here for you though to pick our brains or just talk chicken. Don't beat yourself up though, it's not your fault and you did the best you could and obviously loved her and I'm sure she knew that and took comfort in your care.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Hi everyone,

First of all I just want to say thank you so much for all your helpful tips and words. I appreciate them all very much. Unfortunately my beautiful hen died about an hour ago. I went into the kitchen for a minute and heard a noise like she has convulsed. When I went to check up on her she was sprawled across the floor, clearly no longer alive. I wish i had posted here as soon as I got her back from holiday, I might have saved her.

thank you for letting us know. I am so sorry for your loss, please know that you did everything you could given the circumstances. Someone is always here to try to help, should you ever need info in the future. Otherwise, just keep up with us, and let us know how you and your other hen are doing with the griving process. Please know we all share your pain. I have cried over a few hens myself.

 

[annaBsChick]

Take her to the vet? - http://www.poultrydvm.com/poultry-vets.php

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear you lost her