Definitely mites. Now what?

[FlyingNunFarm]

Okay well she seems much better with the heat on the porch, though I wouldn't say OK at all. We will keep an eye on her. Glad we didn't integrate her with the new chickens, though of course they have been exposed because they are in her coop.
The bigger problem now is the infestation on the sunporch, which is our access to the backyard. The cats run through there and bring them in I think. Will heavy freeze kill these suckers once she has been transferred out or whatever happens with her? We have a lot of the kids' toys on the porch...

I agree giving her a boost with nutri-drench and or some high protein food would be good. It certainly can't hurt.

I try to go as natural as I can but it doesn't always work. You have to do what works for you.

 

[Lnzsmith]

Okay, so the warmth and some food (I gave her wet cat food, it was all we had around, she ate it up and also drank a lot) seems to have reinvigorated her. We have a spinosad preparation coming. I did dust her with woodash. She's out in the yard now. We'll see what happens. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Lnzsmith I'm sorry to hear that Anne is not doing well

dosed her with Ivermectin last night

What dosage of Ivermectin did you use and how did you apply it?

I checked on her and she can barely stand, face is darkened and she is definitely laboring to breathe. I just picked her up and am covered with mites ...she had developed a kind of waddle these past few months and we dealt with sour crop in...waddle wasn't so much about being fat as perhaps about an abdominal irregularity

I wonder if she has peritonitis or something like that. Her belly does seem kind of swollen. She stopped eating much yesterday though we saw her drink. She is an OLD chicken, nobody knows quite how old. 8 or 9 at least.

From your description, I agree that she most likely has an internal laying/reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Ascites, cancer or tumors. The waddling, swollen abdomen and difficulty breathing are, unfortunately symptoms that would correlate to any of these mentioned.
IF there is fluid in the abdomen, it can sometimes be drained to give some relief, but usually this is short term. The infestation of mites is a result of her age and being sick, so she is not able to take care of herself like she should (dust bathing/preening).

You are doing the best you can, keep her drinking and see how it goes. If she continues to have difficulty breathing or completely goes off food/water, then it may be time to put her out of her misery. I'm very sorry, she has lived a long life and has obviously been well taken care and loved to be 8-9yrs old.

 

[Lnzsmith]

It was 5% ivermectin cattle drench I think? We have used it as a wormer since we got chickens. 5 drops on shoulders.

 

[Lnzsmith]

Hi all: Anne seems worse today. The mites are obviously a secondary problem. What should I do to help her stay comfortable? Somebody said offer her water if she isn't drinking. I don't know, for some reason I just feel like this is her time. Without that Buff she was so devoted to I feel like she just can't rally the energy to get better (and I suspect something fairly serious is wrong). We took her outside in the sun though it is chilly here, should I bring her back into the warmer sunporch? Basically what sort of palliative care should I offer?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I’m so sorry to hear that she isn’t getting better. If her condition keeps worsening I would seriously consider humanely euthanizing her. I know it’s a hard decision to make but at least she can pass in a painless way and surrounded by someone who loves her like you.

 

[Lnzsmith]

Oh we'll definitely euthanize her, but it's hard to know when. She seems to enjoy standing in the sun.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

That’s good that she enjoys the sun. I think the time to euthanize her would be when you notice that she is in pain.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Oh we'll definitely euthanize her, but it's hard to know when. She seems to enjoy standing in the sun.

You'll know it may be time, when she stops eating and drinking or if she is struggling to breath, is weak and can not stand. These are the most basic functions that a chicken needs to survive. She may have stopped dust bathing due to illness and so the mites took over.

But, if she is enjoying the sun...that's good. Just let her be for now.

Keep her comfortable, warmth, good food, fresh water. And most importantly, your soft voice and caring energy. She is probably depressed on top of her health issues. I have a little hen going through the same thing. But, she is only 2.5 years old, she eats and drinks, is healthy but sits alone all day. Her BFF was taken in August by a bob cat. I am working with her, by giving her more attention, special snacks and a vitamin three times a week. After a week of this, she is starting to perk up. Depression can affect the healing of people, and animals too.

Just take one day at a time.

God Bless!

 

[lilmillefleur]

I'm so sorry about your hen. I think that putting her down humanely and pain-free would be the best thing for her if she gets worse. Hugs to you and Anne