E. Coli Egg Yolk Peritonitis

[Vgcmd1962]

Hi all I need help. I had 4 hens, all with egg yolk peritonitis. All had their coelemic cavities drained and one was infected with E. Coli despite treatment with antibiotics. In early January one was deathly ill and took her to an exotic vet. She empirically treated her with clavamox. There was no fluid to tap she said. We treated her with Clavamox and she did respond. About 2 weeks after stopping clavamox she began to show signs of illness (yolk stools) and not eating well. My exotic vet referred me to an Avian specialist whom performs surgery. She performed a CT scan on her and it showed an enlarged, impacted oviduct and recommended surgery but first drained her and E. Coli was found. It was sensitive to Bactrim which she gave her. It was for 2 weeks. She said treating her with antibiotics would be futile. I was reluctant at first but later I agreed to proceed with surgery despite knowing it was risky. This past Monday she performed surgery 1 week into Bactrim treatment but died about 4 hours after. I’m so devastated. Keep second guessing myself. I’ve attached the photo what the veterinarian removed. It was her oviduct (which had a perforation) and the rotten eggs that was inside her oviduct. It certainly was the right call as no way she would have survived on antibiotics. Folks I am not doing well emotionally. I was in a horrible situation. If I don’t do anything she was going to die a slow miserable death. I decide on surgery and she died anyways. I can’t live with my guilt. She was the light of my life. I loved her so much that I wanted her cured and free of shoving syringes down her beak to give her antibiotics and nystatin and meloxicam. Folks please help me. Did I make the right decision? How do I process this? I certainly regret subjecting her to surgery. Should I have given her a chance to finish the 2 week course of Bactrim and then reassess? Perhaps she was too septic to handle the surgery? I am going crazy. I’m the one dying a slow, miserable emotional death. Cannot work. I’m devastated.

 

[ChicNmom]

I'm so sorry. You did the best you could for her. I never want to give up too soon because animals are resilient. I always work with the best intentions. If I can't clearly see that any animal is beyond hope or that they look like they are done then I do what I can.

 

[Eggcessive]

Salpingitis causes the lash egg material inside the oviduct and abdomen. Egg yolk peritonitis is the end result. This is a common cause of death in hens over 2 years old, and especially in the high egg producers. There can be other bacteria besides E.coli involved in the infections. Sorry about your hens, but thank you for posting your picture and your story of their treatment.

 

[Sally PB]

You went way beyond what many (most?) people would do for your hen. You have no reason to feel badly about what you did. Your vet said antibiotics would be futile and suggested another treatment. You made a decision knowing what you knew at that time.

Though her ending was rough, I'm sure you gave her a good, happy life. Thank you for caring so much about her and for her.

Though loss is hard, your special girl will live on in your heart forever.

 

[micstrachan]

It looks like she had advanced salpingitis. Don’t beat yourself up. I agree it was probably too far along for antibiotics to clear this up. You gave her her only chance (surgery) and sadly the cards were not in her favor. In my opinion, you and the vet gave her her very best chance and she simply was too far gone already. Hugs to you and your caring for your beloved hen.

 

[Vgcmd1962]

Salpingitis causes the lash egg material inside the oviduct and abdomen. Egg yolk peritonitis is the end result. This is a common cause of death in hens over 2 years old, and especially in the high egg producers. There can be other bacteria besides E.coli involved in the infections. Sorry about your hens, but thank you for posting your picture and your story of their treatment.

Thank you for your support. Do you believe I should have given her a longer course of antibiotics prior to surgery? Like 2-3 weeks? Also she was anemic, her hematocrit 10 days prior to surgery was 21%. I asked the vet if she felt comfortable operating on her with low of hematocrit and she said yes. But I gave her 2 doses of procrit prior to surgery. I hope she checked the hematocrit prior to surgery. She said she lost 10ml of blood during surgery. Wonder if she died of anemia post surgery?

 

[Vgcmd1962]

It looks like she had advanced salpingitis. Don’t beat yourself up. I agree it was probably too far along for antibiotics to clear this up. You gave her her only chance (surgery) and sadly the cards were not in her favor. In my opinion, you and the vet gave her her very best chance and she simply was too far gone already. Hugs to you and your caring for your beloved hen.

Thank you for your support. I’ve lost both of my parents and for some reason this loss is just as painful. I guess I underestimated how sick my baby was. Do you believe she was suffering?

 

[Vgcmd1962]

You went way beyond what many (most?) people would do for your hen. You have no reason to feel badly about what you did. Your vet said antibiotics would be futile and suggested another treatment. You made a decision knowing what you knew at that time.

Though her ending was rough, I'm sure you gave her a good, happy life. Thank you for caring so much about her and for her.

Though loss is hard, your special girl will live on in your heart forever.

Thank you for your support. I miss her so much. We had such a strong bond and connection. Keep second guessing and beating myself up. Do you think she was suffering? Many times I would take her outside and she would pick at the grass while laying on her tummy. Was it too painful for her to stand?

 

[micstrachan]

Thank you for your support. I’ve lost both of my parents and for some reason this loss is just as painful. I guess I underestimated how sick my baby was. Do you believe she was suffering?

Oh, goodness. That is a tough question. I don’t want this to cause you pain, but yes. I would think she was suffering. It’s good that she no longer is. Hugs!

 

[Ace1981]

I admire what you did for your Chook. Not many people out there know how special a chicken can be, I often explain to people that it is like having a dog as a pet, no difference.

I have my favourite chook (Mango) in a similar position to yours. I implanted her about 3 weeks ago and she hasn't show signs of improving. She is going in to the vet in a couple of days for an ultra sound, they suspect oviduct impaction. S he also going through a heavy molt. Fingers crossed its not worst case, I am already tossing up in my head whether I will go ahead with surgery if needed.