"Egg yolk peritonitis" and 'Hysterectomy' - Decision Points

[hollykatew]

Hi all

A member of another forum (PigeonBiz) recommended I come here and ask my question that I have in relation to Egg Yolk Peritonitis and surgery as many chicken guardians have experienced this perhaps more commonly than pigeon botherers. I hope my post is acceptable, I will scour previous threads in relation to this topic also.

I have a female pigeon, Avia, who I adopted from a pigeon rescuer about 6 years ago. She's been diagnosed with Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP) about a week ago by a very experienced avian vet through an xray and drainage (about 24 ml). She's been given an injection of deslorelin to reduce her desire to breed. I have two weeks before she's likely to need the recommended surgery to remove the egg (and whatever else may occur upon surgery).

I have some questions and really keen to hear the experiences of the other forum members, your time contributing to my understanding of this issue is much appreciated!

1) If you have opted for medical management of EYP (regular draining, herbal or medical support rather than surgery):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post EYP diagnosis?
b) has your bird been able to overcome EYP and is considered 'cured' or no longer suffering from it?

2) If you have opted for surgery of EYP to remove the egg:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?
c) any relapse events post surgery?

3) If you have had a bird requiring a 'hysterectomy' equivalent for the bird (complete removal of their reproductive tract):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

4) If you have discovered an inflamed oviduct etc during surgery and opted for partial surgical alteration of the reproductive tract:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

5) If you have opted to have the implant option long term (i.e. deslorelin):
a) how many years has your bird survived for implant insertion?
b) experienced any complications with the implant?


Thank you again, I'm sure the answers may be useful for others with the same sort of issue into the future. I will share my experiences for others' learning as they unfold.

Many many thanks

 

[Shadrach]

Hi all

A member of another forum (PigeonBiz) recommended I come here and ask my question that I have in relation to Egg Yolk Peritonitis and surgery as many chicken guardians have experienced this perhaps more commonly than pigeon botherers. I hope my post is acceptable, I will scour previous threads in relation to this topic also.

I have a female pigeon, Avia, who I adopted from a pigeon rescuer about 6 years ago. She's been diagnosed with Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP) about a week ago by a very experienced avian vet through an xray and drainage (about 24 ml). She's been given an injection of deslorelin to reduce her desire to breed. I have two weeks before she's likely to need the recommended surgery to remove the egg (and whatever else may occur upon surgery).

I have some questions and really keen to hear the experiences of the other forum members, your time contributing to my understanding of this issue is much appreciated!

1) If you have opted for medical management of EYP (regular draining, herbal or medical support rather than surgery):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post EYP diagnosis?
b) has your bird been able to overcome EYP and is considered 'cured' or no longer suffering from it?

2) If you have opted for surgery of EYP to remove the egg:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?
c) any relapse events post surgery?

3) If you have had a bird requiring a 'hysterectomy' equivalent for the bird (complete removal of their reproductive tract):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

4) If you have discovered an inflamed oviduct etc during surgery and opted for partial surgical alteration of the reproductive tract:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

5) If you have opted to have the implant option long term (i.e. deslorelin):
a) how many years has your bird survived for implant insertion?
b) experienced any complications with the implant?


Thank you again, I'm sure the answers may be useful for others with the same sort of issue into the future. I will share my experiences for others' learning as they unfold.

Many many thanks

I think @MaryJanet has some experience in implants and a couple of other people on the forum, but I can't recall who.

I would be very interested to read of peoples experiences.

 

[CCsGarden]

Hi all

A member of another forum (PigeonBiz) recommended I come here and ask my question that I have in relation to Egg Yolk Peritonitis and surgery as many chicken guardians have experienced this perhaps more commonly than pigeon botherers. I hope my post is acceptable, I will scour previous threads in relation to this topic also.

I have a female pigeon, Avia, who I adopted from a pigeon rescuer about 6 years ago. She's been diagnosed with Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP) about a week ago by a very experienced avian vet through an xray and drainage (about 24 ml). She's been given an injection of deslorelin to reduce her desire to breed. I have two weeks before she's likely to need the recommended surgery to remove the egg (and whatever else may occur upon surgery).

I have some questions and really keen to hear the experiences of the other forum members, your time contributing to my understanding of this issue is much appreciated!

1) If you have opted for medical management of EYP (regular draining, herbal or medical support rather than surgery):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post EYP diagnosis?
b) has your bird been able to overcome EYP and is considered 'cured' or no longer suffering from it?

2) If you have opted for surgery of EYP to remove the egg:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?
c) any relapse events post surgery?

3) If you have had a bird requiring a 'hysterectomy' equivalent for the bird (complete removal of their reproductive tract):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

4) If you have discovered an inflamed oviduct etc during surgery and opted for partial surgical alteration of the reproductive tract:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

5) If you have opted to have the implant option long term (i.e. deslorelin):
a) how many years has your bird survived for implant insertion?
b) experienced any complications with the implant?


Thank you again, I'm sure the answers may be useful for others with the same sort of issue into the future. I will share my experiences for others' learning as they unfold.

Many many thanks

I'm on PigeonBiz as well! Sorry, your pigeon is going thru a lot!

 

[CCsGarden]

Hi all

A member of another forum (PigeonBiz) recommended I come here and ask my question that I have in relation to Egg Yolk Peritonitis and surgery as many chicken guardians have experienced this perhaps more commonly than pigeon botherers. I hope my post is acceptable, I will scour previous threads in relation to this topic also.

I have a female pigeon, Avia, who I adopted from a pigeon rescuer about 6 years ago. She's been diagnosed with Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP) about a week ago by a very experienced avian vet through an xray and drainage (about 24 ml). She's been given an injection of deslorelin to reduce her desire to breed. I have two weeks before she's likely to need the recommended surgery to remove the egg (and whatever else may occur upon surgery).

I have some questions and really keen to hear the experiences of the other forum members, your time contributing to my understanding of this issue is much appreciated!

1) If you have opted for medical management of EYP (regular draining, herbal or medical support rather than surgery):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post EYP diagnosis?
b) has your bird been able to overcome EYP and is considered 'cured' or no longer suffering from it?

2) If you have opted for surgery of EYP to remove the egg:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?
c) any relapse events post surgery?

3) If you have had a bird requiring a 'hysterectomy' equivalent for the bird (complete removal of their reproductive tract):
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

4) If you have discovered an inflamed oviduct etc during surgery and opted for partial surgical alteration of the reproductive tract:
a) how many years has your bird survived for post surgery?
b) experienced any complications post surgery?

5) If you have opted to have the implant option long term (i.e. deslorelin):
a) how many years has your bird survived for implant insertion?
b) experienced any complications with the implant?


Thank you again, I'm sure the answers may be useful for others with the same sort of issue into the future. I will share my experiences for others' learning as they unfold.

Many many thanks

Maybe post in the https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/incubating-hatching-eggs.5/

You might get more answers.

 

[MaryJanet]

I think @MaryJanet has some experience in implants and a couple of other people on the forum, but I can't recall who.

I would be very interested to read of peoples experiences.

@ManueB has more experience than I do. The cost was rather prohibitive where I live, so there I've only tried it once. It worked as expected, that is, the effect lasted for a few months.

 

[Reave]

Sorry your pigeon isn't doing well! I don't have direct experience, but maybe another lil' bump will get more eyes on this thread for you.

I know surgery is incredible difficult on small birds and that birds are extremely delicate under anesthesia, so my only experiences with this kinda thing are from acquaintances that have opted for the implants. I've known a few pigeon keepers that have done it, several people with "house chickens" (very small serama or sebright sized birds) and several small parrot owners. I also knew of one peacock owner that was very happy with it, but that made sense given how young the bird was and how long peacocks can live. Age of the bird in question compared to the species' lifespan I think is the main factor.

They are generally tolerated very well in my experience, but some of the implants also induce a hard molt (either when new or when wearing off, in most species?) and eventually that can start being hard on them as they get up there in years, even with protein supplements. The good news is that the ones that I've seen that eventually have a hard go of it are usually in their late teens or even late twenties when they start getting worn down by it-- again, species dependent. Usually by then, the owners are very happy with the extra life their birds have gotten out of them and they will choose to let the bird go when their QoL dips below what they are comfortable with.

 

[hollykatew]

@ManueB has more experience than I do. The cost was rather prohibitive where I live, so there I've only tried it once. It worked as expected, that is, the effect lasted for a few months.

thanks for confirming regarding the implant. I am concerned that at over $400 AUD a pop and has to be done 3 times a year basically, it's not overly sustainable. But if it gets us out of trouble for now that would be ok. Keen to hear more about people's experiences with surgery.

 

[hollykatew]

Sorry your pigeon isn't doing well! I don't have direct experience, but maybe another lil' bump will get more eyes on this thread for you.

I know surgery is incredible difficult on small birds and that birds are extremely delicate under anesthesia, so my only experiences with this kinda thing are from acquaintances that have opted for the implants. I've known a few pigeon keepers that have done it, several people with "house chickens" (very small serama or sebright sized birds) and several small parrot owners. I also knew of one peacock owner that was very happy with it, but that made sense given how young the bird was and how long peacocks can live. Age of the bird in question compared to the species' lifespan I think is the main factor.

They are generally tolerated very well in my experience, but some of the implants also induce a hard molt (either when new or when wearing off, in most species?) and eventually that can start being hard on them as they get up there in years, even with protein supplements. The good news is that the ones that I've seen that eventually have a hard go of it are usually in their late teens or even late twenties when they start getting worn down by it-- again, species dependent. Usually by then, the owners are very happy with the extra life their birds have gotten out of them and they will choose to let the bird go when their QoL dips below what they are comfortable with.

thats great insight thankyou very much for sharing!!!

 

[hollykatew]

Maybe post in the https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/incubating-hatching-eggs.5/

You might get more answers.

I originally had it in the emergency forum as this is urgent as my avian vet has recommended surgery this week, but my post was moved.

 

[FrostRanger]

I originally had it in the emergency forum as this is urgent as my avian vet has recommended surgery this week, but my post was moved.

This is the correct section (the emergency section)

I have no direct experience with this and it wouldn't be feasible for me for multiple reasons but IMO a decision like this comes down to a few things

1. Do you have a vet willing and able to do the procedure (it seems the answer is yes in your case)

2. Are you willing and able to shell out the the amount it costs for the implant (which you stated to be 400 bucks for you)

3. Are you able and willing to shell that out every few months?

4. How much time will this realistically buy this bird? What is her expected lifespan?

5. How important is this bird to you?

6. Would you be able to accept if the procedure doesn't work?

There are no wrong answers or bad decisions here, only what's right for you. Some people do the procedure and it works out very well for them and it buys them some valuable time with their feathered friend and that is worth every penny to them. Others opt not to for one reason or another and that's OK too. Hopefully others will be able to provide some direct experience for you, just wanted to hopefully provide some good questions to ask yourself so you can make the right decision for you