Chicken with Watery white poop

[ChickKeeper]

Hello, I have an Easter egger who is about 15months old and she started molting a couple weeks ago. The lose a ton of feathers rapidly type molt. She stopped laying when she started molting. I had to go out of town for 6 days and when I returned last night she seems to have lost weight (not entirely unusual for molting). She is eating and drinking. She is drinking a lot, she has the option of plain water, and water with save a chick electrolytes and probiotics. She usually chooses the electrolytes. Main food is layer crumbles. She lives in the house and gets access to outside daily (although they usually choose to stay indoors when it is really hot, AZ).

What has me worried is her stool is very watery and mostly white/urates. The small solid part is coated with white.

I am not sure if she is just stressed from the molt and the routine getting disrupted while I was gone, and it is ok. Or if it is serious and she needs a vet immediately.

She is active and alert, behavior seems ok.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[ChickKeeper]

Just got back from the vet. They took blood and will expect results in about a week.

Initial thoughts are problems with her kidneys. So instructions are to make sure she always has access to water, and watch for changes in her eating or behavior (she is still eating and acting ok).

Anyone had any experience with kidney problems?

 

[MgnRose]

I haven’t had any experience with kidney issues in birds, only with cats and dogs. My EE has had similar looking poo the past few days so I am curious as to what the vet says. Please let us know. Good thoughts to you and your girl

 

[ChickKeeper]

Update:
Blood work is back and it isn't her kidneys.
More tests and it is likely a partial obstruction or something causing her gi tract to move very slowly. Suspicion is it is lower than the crop, but imaging didn't show a clear obvious obstruction.

Prescribed meloxicam and metocloprimide injections for 5 days. Anti-inflammatory and something to stimulate things to get them moving. Injections because oral meds don't do much if things aren't moving.

Have an appointment tomorrow to check if the medication is helpful or if surgery is needed.

 

[MgnRose]

You’re a good chicken parent. Thinking of you and your lady

 

[ChickKeeper]

You’re a good chicken parent. Thinking of you and your lady

I try to do what I can for all my animals, but this year has been challenging with all the random issues with different birds.

I am hoping that the treatment will work and she will be ok.

Is the crop emptying ok for your EE? If it is emptying and it is producing extra urine it is probably kidneys, so lots of watery poops. If it is not emptying and it is watery poop but not more frequent poops just not enough solids in them, then it might be a partial obstruction.

 

[MgnRose]

I try to do what I can for all my animals, but this year has been challenging with all the random issues with different birds.

I am hoping that the treatment will work and she will be ok.

Is the crop emptying ok for your EE? If it is emptying and it is producing extra urine it is probably kidneys, so lots of watery poops. If it is not emptying and it is watery poop but not more frequent poops just not enough solids in them, then it might be a partial obstruction.

Her crop is always empty in the morning. I’m really hoping it is not a kidney issue, as like you- this year has been difficult with random illnesses.

My girl has an appointment with a vet in a month (it’s the earliest she could get in ), so I’m hoping she doesn’t decline further until she can see the doctor.

 

[ChickKeeper]

Another update, the medication seemed to get things moving for a couple days, but then we went back to watery poops with very little stool present.

Back to the vet. Took blood for a heavy metals test, waiting for results.

Did a fecal sample, no parasites or unusual bacteria.

Did a barium study, took all day, no obstructions or masses or anything unusual found.

Given oxitetracycline and another round of the melcloprimide.

So things are still a mystery.

 

[MgnRose]

Another update, the medication seemed to get things moving for a couple days, but then we went back to watery poops with very little stool present.

Back to the vet. Took blood for a heavy metals test, waiting for results.

Did a fecal sample, no parasites or unusual bacteria.

Did a barium study, took all day, no obstructions or masses or anything unusual found.

Given oxitetracycline and another round of the melcloprimide.

So things are still a mystery.

I’m so sorry. I know how frustrating and upsetting that can be when you are actively seeking answers, only to end up with more questions. I hope your girl is feeling better at least

 

[ChickKeeper]

Heavy metals were negative.

The specialist looked closer at the barium study and there is a slight shadow that could be something (but not conclusive).

She is scheduled for surgery this afternoon.