desperate!

[Acornewell]

You can look for an avian vet in your area...they usually will look at chickens.

 

[mrskgb]

thank you both....she just drank on her own from a bowl I presented to her, that has the antibiotic, and still wants to eat.....I know its not a hopeful outcome, and did some research, but I thought I would reach out to this forum because maybe there is something I missed! Has anyone tried the tea bath? I want to soak some of the droppings off her anyway, and though a nice bath would help take some pressure off her belly...any thoughts?!
ps. I did see the draining videos...I'm so scared to hurt her. Does anyone have any good links to videos on how to unclog a vent? like, for beginners!! thanks so much!
jean

 

[mrskgb]

acornewell...how long was your chicken ill? To my knowledge, she has been impacted by this for about a week. I've read some have it for months, but she is so swollen she can hardly walk....just seems like her condition is so severe in such a short period of time. Do you think these symptoms can be from some other ailment?!

 

[Acornewell]

My chicken was brought inside about a month ago. At first I thought she was egg-bound. Noticed she wasn't eating...then she did start to eat...droppings were normal. She was SO SKINNY. I tried to treat her for everything I thought it was. In the end I wish I would have just taken her to the vet. Because if it was something that could not be fixed, I would have had her euthanized instead of putting her through all these wasteful antibiotics, vitamins, etc. OR the question I have been asking myself ALL DAY TODAY is why didn't I take her to a vet who might have been able to help her, drain her, make her more comfortable than I could.

There are many ailments that can cause a hen to fill with fluid. I do know that near the end for my girl...her legs seemed to be getting further apart, and her breathing more labored. The thing that bothers me too is that she didn't seem as miserable as I am sure she was.

 

[mrskgb]

aw...I'm so sorry.....my Lovie doesn't seem like she's in pain either, but she is my dominant female so to see her like this is so hard! Her legs are very spread apart now....I'm guessing she was like this for a while but just not presenting so bad.....Is it pricey to have a chicken euthanized? (don't get me wrong....I know I said I'm desperate to help her, I just have no idea how much a chicken at the vet is!....lol)

 

[BayBay Peepers]

You can try a warm bath just make sure to dry her good. Blow dryers work just fine. I'm not sure on vet costs in your area you could ask around. If she doesn't drink enough you can tube feed her. It's not nearly as scary as it sounds. I hope more people see this and have more ideas for you.
Check her crop also in the am to see if.its emptying. I remember one lady thought a a hen was egg bound and did an autopsy when she passed and found out she had an impacted crop. Not that it's what your dealing with, but good to rule out.

 

[Acornewell]

I have noticed our avian vet was much cheaper for services. Not sure where you are located.

 

[Acornewell]

How are things going with your sweet Lovie today?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Any update? Hope everything is going alright.

 

[mrskgb]

Hello again! Thank you all again for helping me and sending good thoughts my way!
I wanted to let you all know that I took Lovie to the school I work at and the school nurse helped drain most of the fluid from her abdomen!!! I can not believe the difference in her...she in a matter of hours, was acting as if nothing ever happened to her!! I brought her in barley able to walk or breathe, and after four pokes, and 240ml's syringed out, she was standing and instantly more alert. She lost a lot more fluid as the day progressed, it just dripped non stop out of her....She ate and drank so much and today, was able to enjoy the outdoors again! I am so happy and thankful to have had the help, along with everyone's knowledge and support I know she isn't totally out of the woods yet, but I can just tell by how she is acting that the odds are in her favor!!

I DO HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS....... how long should I keep her separated from the rest of my flock? How long should I discard her eggs (once she starts laying again)? What kid of health risk does she pose to me, from handling her (gloves were worn when we drained her and until she stopped dripping) And....how long should I continue to give her the antibiotics? What time frame should I consider her to be no longer at risk of dying from this?

this forum is awesome and so much appreciated!!