Dying hen

[dustbath]

I'm afraid one of my hens is dying. She's had an enormous tumor on her back for a few months that I've been treating with Granulex, on the vet's advice. She's been generally ok but getting gradually weaker.

Today, she isn't drinking or eating and is sitting in one position, moving very little.

I knew she couldn't really survive but I want to know how to make her end as painless as possible. Should I force water into her beak? I know I have to be careful about that and would appreciate any tips on how to feed her water without drowning her.

Is there any food particularly appealing to ill chickens and easy for them to digest?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks, as always!

 

[Judy]

I wouldn't try to force her to eat or drink anything, just make it as easy as you can for her to get them if she wants. I'd just offer soft things that you know she likes, maybe cooked egg or a bit of meat, whatever she has enjoyed in the past.

So sorry.

 

[dustbath]

Thanks. That's pretty much the approach I've taken and it's reassuring that I'm not missing anything obvious.

 

[chickenzoo]

If you don't mind giving injections, you can mix a 1/2 vitamin 1/2 water solution, draw up into a syringe and inject into loose skin along the back etc..... This will help get some vitamins in her. Cooked egg is good aswell as baby food or cat/dog food soaked in water or canned dog food.
So sorry...................

 

[dustbath]

What is the vitamin solution? Is there a brand you use? Where do you find it?

Thanks!

 

[mypicklebird]

Granulex is for helping wounds to heal. A tumor is not a wound, though tumors can ulcerate. It sounds like you have been trying to do 'hospice' care for your bird, which is commendable- to a point. If your bird is no longer eating/drinking well- and is sitting around not moving- she feels bad now. Forcing her to eat or drink if she no longer wants to, is likely stressful for her. Please consider humanely ending her life instead of letting her slowly waste away. Sometimes ending a life is a kindness.

 

[dlhunicorn]

do you have a pic?

 

[dustbath]

I think I'm attaching a picture of her back. I'm not sure how well it came out but the large black area is the tumor.

The vet advised the Granulex. Frankly, I didn't understand how it would work but I did see references to its use for tumors when I looked. The vet said he couldn't remove it surgically because it was too big and there wouldn't be enough skin to cover the wound.

Until today, she's seemed pretty content, despite the horrible thing on her back. She's been scratching, dusting, moving around, making noise, eating, etc, all her usual behavior. She hasn't been laying but I saw no reason to euthanize her, as she showed no evidence that she was suffering and the vet said she could recover.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Thanks for posting but the pic was so small I was unable to see much. All I can advise is for you to give a good general supplement like aviacharge 2000 as with any illness the bird usually has malabsorption to one degree or another.

 

[dustbath]

Sadly, she died soon after I sent the last post. The vitamin reference will be very helpful anyway. I haven't been able to find avian vitamins around here (except in very small quantities, for parakeets etc) and am glad to know a name to look for.

Thanks to everyone for the help.