Emergency, new symptom: won't stand up

[bach_violin]

My 3.5 y/o Wyandotte is deteriorating fast. I have a vet appt in 2 days but I don't think she'll make it. She has a squishy, full crop, refuses to eat or drink, labors through breathing, and is lethargic/weak. Her newest symptom is that she can't stand up and now lies down slightly on her right side. When I noticed this just at first, I noticed her abdomen was quite bloated, so probably water belly as a secondary symptom of other issues.

Her poop has been liquid, a watery pale yellow with few globs of green, for a few days, so I put her on Corid (treatment dilution) but no improvement. Because I thought she had sour crop, she's on day 2 of miconazole suppository - generic 3-day Monistat.

I've been syringe feeding her water and tiny amounts of food (dissolved feed with cooked yolk). She's gone from walking to get away from me, to no resistance. I'm afraid to give her water because she might choke. The major symptoms appeared about 5 days ago.

She is currently isolated with something to prop her head up in case she vomits.

Is there anything I can do to help her make it to her appointment, like try to drain her belly? Or if tonight is her last, would she be more comfortable if I brought her indoors, like she'd be less stressed? I'm a first time caretaker and have no idea how to even think about how to make the best decision for her

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When I noticed this just at first, I noticed her abdomen was quite bloated, so probably water belly as a secondary symptom of other issues.

Is there anything I can do to help her make it to her appointment, like try to drain her belly? Or if tonight is her last, would she be more comfortable if I brought her indoors, like she'd be less stressed?

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry that your hen is not doing well.

When was her last egg?

Fluid in the abdomen (Symptom called Ascites) is often due to reproductive disorders (Cancer, EYP, Salpingitis, etc.) and/or organ failure/dysfunction.

If her abdomen is tight like a drum and filled with fluid, draining may bring her some relief and make it where she's able to breath a little better and not have such a feeling of pressure. Draining is not a cure, whatever condition that is causing the fluid to accumulate will still exist. Draining can be risky, so do keep that in mind. Infection at the puncture site can occur and of course, draining can sometimes cause a hen to go into cardiac arrest as well. If you drain, it's important to give her fluids to restore her glucose levels and rehydrate her. Electrolytes or sugar water (1tsp sugar to 1cup water along with a pinch of salt and baking soda) would be good to give.

A crop issue is very often a Symptom of an underlying condition. Fluid in the abdomen (along with the condition causing the fluid) can cause inflammation and basically "takes up space" in the abdomen and reduces digestive function. If that makes sense.

Since she's declining rapidly, and she can't be seen quickly, it does make sense to try draining to see if that makes a difference if you are up to it.

It can be hard to know whether to bring them in or leave them. Since she's in poor condition and you need to help her, you may feel better bringing her in and tending to her. There's no one way to do this, do you what you think is best. I understand it's upsetting and want to do everything you can for her and you are.

The Corid won't hurt her, so don't worry about that. The Miconazole is fine to give too. You can continue with those if you wish or just focus on getting some fluids into her and consider draining - see how that goes and then continue forward from there.



Draining Fluid

Article 'How to treat sour crop and impacted crop and how to know which one you're dealing with'

Diagnosing the crop disorder A hen is behaving lethargically, not eating much, if at all, but she has a full crop. This is the first sign something's not right. The full crop points to this hen having crop issues and not being sick for some other reason such as a bacterial infection, which would...

• azygous
• Feb 14, 2018
• 6 min read
• 4.94 star(s) 120 ratings
• Reaction score: 267
• Comments: 288
• Reviews: 88
• Category: Maintaining A Healthy Flock

My 3.5 y/o Wyandotte is deteriorating fast. I have a vet appt in 2 days but I don't think she'll make it. She has a squishy, full crop, refuses to eat or drink, labors through breathing, and is lethargic/weak. Her newest symptom is that she can't stand up and now lies down slightly on her right side. When I noticed this just at first, I noticed her abdomen was quite bloated, so probably water belly as a secondary symptom of other issues.

Her poop has been liquid, a watery pale yellow with few globs of green, for a few days, so I put her on Corid (treatment dilution) but no improvement. Because I thought she had sour crop, she's on day 2 of miconazole suppository - generic 3-day Monistat.

I've been syringe feeding her water and tiny amounts of food (dissolved feed with cooked yolk). She's gone from walking to get away from me, to no resistance. I'm afraid to give her water because she might choke. The major symptoms appeared about 5 days ago.

She is currently isolated with something to prop her head up in case she vomits.

Is there anything I can do to help her make it to her appointment, like try to drain her belly? Or if tonight is her last, would she be more comfortable if I brought her indoors, like she'd be less stressed? I'm a first time caretaker and have no idea how to even think about how to make the best decision for her

 

[bach_violin]

@Wyorp Rock Thank you for your thorough reply! I'm in thought circles around what's best for her, weighing pros and cons. I'm slowly accepting that there usually isn't one perfect answer.

I don't know when her last egg was, several weeks ago? There are eight in the flock, 1-2 eggs daily and I have no idea who lays. I've noted to learn that in the future...

My course of action now is to see if she's still breathing in the morning, if so, buy an 18g needle + syringe when TSC opens tomorrow. I know to not take too much out at once, and keep the puncture clean. I'll follow up with DIY electrolytes, thanks for the recipe.

Her breathing issues make a lot of sense now. With the expansion of all those organs, no wonder she's struggling to just breathe. Ah I wish I ran to TSC before they closed to grab a set!

For tonight, I need to decide whether to bring her in so I can sleep next to her, for her and my comfort. Thanks for understanding the emotional roller coaster that this is! She's always been an outdoor hen and right now she's in a dog carrier next to the coop so she can hear her sisters, but the low is high 50's so an upside of having her indoors would be warmth. Any thoughts on which is better for comfort? (that is, hearing her flock or being warmer? I read that inflammation/swelling should be balanced with cooling them down but no idea if that's true).

Thanks again!!