Decision time--surgery or euthanasia

[szwr197]

Hello,

I need some outside perspective please. One of my RIR is very sick. I took her to the vet today and she has yolk coelomitis. The vet said it was very bad. He gave me antibiotics and some pain medicine. He said that the antibiotics could clear it up temporarily but in his experience it would definitely come back and most likely very quickly. He believes the best course of action is either a $650-$800 surgery or to put her to sleep. I think I may be inclined to try the surgery except that this bird has a history of being sick. She gets bumblefoot every spring even though the rest of the flock has never had it once. I am not overly attached to my birds but at the same time, they are good, funny animals that I do enjoy.

Does anyone have experience with this illness? Has anyone ever tried the surgery? What is better for her?

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Truly, the best thing you could do for your chicken is to end her suffering. I know it would a hard thing to do, but I had it done to my beloved rabbit years ago because there was nothing else to do for her. Putting an animal through surgery would be stressful.

 

[DobieLover]

The prognosis for a hen with EYP is never good. I would opt to run the course of antibiotics to see if it offered her any relief. If she failed to respond, I would euthanize.
Sorry about your hen.

 

[dawg53]

It sounds like Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP) to me. Save your money and cull her.
https://newcms.eventkaddy.net/event...12_SPEER_CoelomitisinBirds_20150515223931.pdf

 

[Soy Milano]

Bumblefoot is entirely different then a reproductive disorder. There is also a third option that your vet may not know about or may be reluctant to offer unless you ask. It is a hormone implant which stops hens from laying eggs. Here is a case story about it on PoultryDVM - http://www.poultrydvm.com/cases/titch.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Having her put to sleep would be best for your hen to end her suffering rather than letting her be in pain for much longer. If you put her through surgery, she won't understand what's going on- after all they're not humans.

 

[My Pretty Pekins]

Having her put to sleep would be best for your hen to end her suffering rather than letting her be in pain for much longer. If you put her through surgery, she won't understand what's going on- after all they're not humans.[/QUOTE]

This is true, but remember its your choice.