Hello chicken keepers,
Backstory: last year I had a hen in distress and was able to budget in a vet visit. The hen was unable to use her legs overnight. It could have been a pinched nerve from a large egg, but the vet felt confident he felt a mass and it was cancer, but prescribed treatment for EYP so we could try something. (I was also a total disaster at the time, having suddenly lost a family member the day before, my brain was still in denial and I kept shaking. Thankfully they are the office our house pets use so they knew me and that I wasn't insane or high.) Unfortunately Gia did not improve, and I returned a few days later to have her euthanized as she was suffering. The vet informed me statistically, most hens over age 4 have cancer somewhere.
Now: Becky the barred rock is 5. She stopped laying for two days. I didn't worry, as our temperature has climbed recently and she's 5. We were surprised she and her best buddy Lucia started laying at all this spring. Three days ago she was laying down in the inner pen during the day, and upon removing her I saw the yellow streaks below her vent.
What I'm doing: I'm using the remaining drugs prescribed to Gia. Becky has had three days of Meloxicam (pain reliever/anti inflammatory), but I'm now out of it. She has also had three days of Amox/Clav (875/125, half pill twice a day, as prescribed to Gia) and as it's a human drug, I have some old stuff to continue it. Each day I'm letting the "big girls" Becky and Lucia into the outer run (fenced with shade, no roof. Less secure, but never had an issue. Used only during the day.) as it's normal, plus it gets them space from this year's new pullets (not babies, four months). The pullets are all orpingtons, chocolate and lavender, and while some of the chocolates are still vying for pecking order, they still see Becky as boss. Becky seems to rest better and feels like she can lay down being separated from them. At night I let them back into the inner pen and hen house. Becky has been well enough to keep her top rung sleeping roost bar.
I tried putting some Save a Chick electrolytes into the big girls water, and they looked at me like I poisoned their kool-aid and refused to touch it. So fresh water only.
This morning Becky was able to walk out the gate herself, rather than being carried, and tried to escape my picking her up to medicate her. Slowly, but she's standing more and laying down less. I'm trying to not get overly hopeful.
How many more days would you suggest I continue the Amox/Clav?
Also, on Becky's worst day, Lucia never left her side. Standing over her, or snuggling her. On the other side of the fence, a lavender orpington had settled, keeping Becky company even though the lavenders are very intimidated by Becky normally. So sweet.
Backstory: last year I had a hen in distress and was able to budget in a vet visit. The hen was unable to use her legs overnight. It could have been a pinched nerve from a large egg, but the vet felt confident he felt a mass and it was cancer, but prescribed treatment for EYP so we could try something. (I was also a total disaster at the time, having suddenly lost a family member the day before, my brain was still in denial and I kept shaking. Thankfully they are the office our house pets use so they knew me and that I wasn't insane or high.) Unfortunately Gia did not improve, and I returned a few days later to have her euthanized as she was suffering. The vet informed me statistically, most hens over age 4 have cancer somewhere.
Now: Becky the barred rock is 5. She stopped laying for two days. I didn't worry, as our temperature has climbed recently and she's 5. We were surprised she and her best buddy Lucia started laying at all this spring. Three days ago she was laying down in the inner pen during the day, and upon removing her I saw the yellow streaks below her vent.
What I'm doing: I'm using the remaining drugs prescribed to Gia. Becky has had three days of Meloxicam (pain reliever/anti inflammatory), but I'm now out of it. She has also had three days of Amox/Clav (875/125, half pill twice a day, as prescribed to Gia) and as it's a human drug, I have some old stuff to continue it. Each day I'm letting the "big girls" Becky and Lucia into the outer run (fenced with shade, no roof. Less secure, but never had an issue. Used only during the day.) as it's normal, plus it gets them space from this year's new pullets (not babies, four months). The pullets are all orpingtons, chocolate and lavender, and while some of the chocolates are still vying for pecking order, they still see Becky as boss. Becky seems to rest better and feels like she can lay down being separated from them. At night I let them back into the inner pen and hen house. Becky has been well enough to keep her top rung sleeping roost bar.
I tried putting some Save a Chick electrolytes into the big girls water, and they looked at me like I poisoned their kool-aid and refused to touch it. So fresh water only.
This morning Becky was able to walk out the gate herself, rather than being carried, and tried to escape my picking her up to medicate her. Slowly, but she's standing more and laying down less. I'm trying to not get overly hopeful.
How many more days would you suggest I continue the Amox/Clav?
Also, on Becky's worst day, Lucia never left her side. Standing over her, or snuggling her. On the other side of the fence, a lavender orpington had settled, keeping Becky company even though the lavenders are very intimidated by Becky normally. So sweet.
