Exposed but intact crop

[NewAtThis8]

I’m sorry that she may need to be euthanized. I normally don’t recommend covering wounds, but since the scratching may have caused this, that was why I did. Give us an update on what the ER vet does.

I’m about to pick her up- i elected surgery to repair the laceration, which did indeed include her crop unfortunately. She’s a sweet chicken and the vet said that she can recover, the risks were anesthesia (seems ok as i haven’t gotten a call) and recovery since she’s obviously self mutilating; including while she was being examined. I believe that if I can keep her quiet, warm, and isolated to recover and can restrict her access to the surgery site we can come through on the other side. It’s really 50/50, but I felt she deserved it since she was fighting and the vet didn’t say it was hopeless. If she said it was, then I’d have made the decision to euthanize. I struggle with this every time, but hopefully things turn out okay. She did say that they make e-collars for birds… I’m not sure I want to use that alone or if I use that and also wrap her up with vet wrap or a tshirt like you suggested so that she also cannot claw at herself. The plus side is that her crop was getting better but still did have some impaction (feathers….) - they will clean, debride and culture it during the repair.

 

[Eggcessive]

I really hope that she recovers. Please keep us aware of how she is getting along.

 

[ksbkeys]

I’m about to pick her up- i elected surgery to repair the laceration, which did indeed include her crop unfortunately. She’s a sweet chicken and the vet said that she can recover, the risks were anesthesia (seems ok as i haven’t gotten a call) and recovery since she’s obviously self mutilating; including while she was being examined. I believe that if I can keep her quiet, warm, and isolated to recover and can restrict her access to the surgery site we can come through on the other side. It’s really 50/50, but I felt she deserved it since she was fighting and the vet didn’t say it was hopeless. If she said it was, then I’d have made the decision to euthanize. I struggle with this every time, but hopefully things turn out okay. She did say that they make e-collars for birds… I’m not sure I want to use that alone or if I use that and also wrap her up with vet wrap or a tshirt like you suggested so that she also cannot claw at herself. The plus side is that her crop was getting better but still did have some impaction (feathers….) - they will clean, debride and culture it during the repair.

I hope she recovers!

 

[NewAtThis8]

A small update- we are home and she’s set up in my office with me for 2-3 weeks in a tote with pine shavings though I’ve felt it was best today and as I see how she does with her stitches, to keep her in the bottom part of her carrier with a blanket / towel to restrict her movement a bit. At night I’ll add the lid to the carrier so that she can’t pick at herself unsupervised and she’ll be hopefully, sleeping so won’t mind being closed in. She is able to throw her “e collar” off but it looks like wrapping a towel loosely around her like a cape and clipping it closed behind her neck has kept her from being interested in her wound this morning- what I think (and hope) is the self mutilation was due to the extreme size of her crop, her extreme discomfort, and then the open wound. Looking at her now, I can’t believe how big her crop truly was before- it was about the size of two fists. She is eating (I’m not giving her full access to food so that I can make sure that her crop
works despite being stitched) and has a healthy appetite, and is drinking also. Here’s hoping for no infection and being on the up and up!

 

[Eggcessive]

If she dp gets lonely, you could always bring in a friend to visit with her as long as they cannot get together for any pecking. Wire dog crates work well for visits. It sounds like you are a good care taker. So glad that she has a good chance now. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[ksbkeys]

A small update- we are home and she’s set up in my office with me for 2-3 weeks in a tote with pine shavings though I’ve felt it was best today and as I see how she does with her stitches, to keep her in the bottom part of her carrier with a blanket / towel to restrict her movement a bit. At night I’ll add the lid to the carrier so that she can’t pick at herself unsupervised and she’ll be hopefully, sleeping so won’t mind being closed in. She is able to throw her “e collar” off but it looks like wrapping a towel loosely around her like a cape and clipping it closed behind her neck has kept her from being interested in her wound this morning- what I think (and hope) is the self mutilation was due to the extreme size of her crop, her extreme discomfort, and then the open wound. Looking at her now, I can’t believe how big her crop truly was before- it was about the size of two fists. She is eating (I’m not giving her full access to food so that I can make sure that her crop
works despite being stitched) and has a healthy appetite, and is drinking also. Here’s hoping for no infection and being on the up and up!View attachment 4019132

Wonderful!! Thanks for the update!

 

[Bawkbok]

A small update- we are home and she’s set up in my office with me for 2-3 weeks in a tote with pine shavings though I’ve felt it was best today and as I see how she does with her stitches, to keep her in the bottom part of her carrier with a blanket / towel to restrict her movement a bit. At night I’ll add the lid to the carrier so that she can’t pick at herself unsupervised and she’ll be hopefully, sleeping so won’t mind being closed in. She is able to throw her “e collar” off but it looks like wrapping a towel loosely around her like a cape and clipping it closed behind her neck has kept her from being interested in her wound this morning- what I think (and hope) is the self mutilation was due to the extreme size of her crop, her extreme discomfort, and then the open wound. Looking at her now, I can’t believe how big her crop truly was before- it was about the size of two fists. She is eating (I’m not giving her full access to food so that I can make sure that her crop
works despite being stitched) and has a healthy appetite, and is drinking also. Here’s hoping for no infection and being on the up and up!View attachment 4019132

I'm sorry you (and she) are going through this. As you, I am also new at the chicken thing and serious illnesses and injuries can be very disheartening. I appreciate your sentiment on culling and euthanasia as I could not perform the act the first one either. You have followed your instincts with her care and treatment so continue to do that. With TLC, which it sounds like you offer in droves, time and vet care advice, she should pull through. The experts here (I am not one of them) are wonderful with advice and support. Hoping the best for you. She is a beautiful girl.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

She is such a pretty girl! I really hope she makes a full recovery!

 

[NewAtThis8]

I'm sorry you (and she) are going through this. As you, I am also new at the chicken thing and serious illnesses and injuries can be very disheartening. I appreciate your sentiment on culling and euthanasia as I could not perform the act the first one either. You have followed your instincts with her care and treatment so continue to do that. With TLC, which it sounds like you offer in droves, time and vet care advice, she should pull through. The experts here (I am not one of them) are wonderful with advice and support. Hoping the best for you. She is a beautiful girl.

Thank you so much, this comment means a lot!

 

[Eggcessive]

Did your hen fully recover from the crop injury and surgery @NewAtThis8 ?