Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Lilly is back home tonight

I felt it best to put that right out there. Now I will endeavor to explain what the visit to the vet revealed, did not reveal, and what action was taken.

Revealed

1. Lilly has lost muscle mass. Her keel bone is significantly more prominent than it was back in November. The doctor noticed it immediately. At the time of the initial exam the thought was that this indicated even more fluid weight.
2. Lilly's liver is enlarged.
3. Lilly has a temperature of 108F (42C). This a degree higher than the vet would prefer.
4. X-rays revealed no eggs in the works, no crazy calcium deposits, nothing significant in the reproductive tract at all. (I was not surprised by this at all. My hope is that she really is done laying eggs forever.)
5. X-rays reveled some fluid build up but not enough to explain the weight gain and distension of her abdomen.
6. X-rays show a noticeable loss of calcium from her bones. (Can elderly chickens have osteoporosis?)

Not Revealed

1. The vet was not able to withdraw any fluid for analysis. This shocked us both.
2. The x-rays did not reveal any easily identifiable mass in her abdomen. However, apparently chicken x-rays are difficult to read for masses. She would need to send the x-rays to a chicken radiologist to be certain that she was not missing something.
3. No single easily identifiable cause for her symptoms was uncovered.

Action Taken

1. Lilly came home. With no solid prognosis at this time there was no way I was taking any other action but bring her home at this time.
2. The vet and I agreed that there has to be some kind of an infectious process going on. Therefore she got a dose of Doxycycline. I say a dose but it is a 7 day course of time release antibiotic in one shot. The perfect method to give a chicken an antibiotic. She remembered me saying how difficult twice a day was with Sansa and went and got this newer method of treatment for her chicken patients.
3. A comprehensive battery of blood tests were sent out. They could be back as soon as tomorrow and she will call as soon as they are back.
4. We held off sending the x-rays to the chicken radiologist until the lab work is back.

So no definitive answers at this point. Lilly is back with the tribe. Hattie too. I spent quite a bit of time with Lilly sitting in my lap at the vet's. It was fun to hear her and Hattie talk to each other as Hattie scratched in the carrier while Lilly sat in my lap.

The Queen is still with us. Long may she reign.

To be realistic, I still expect the final verdict to be bad news. For now there is hope and I will give her that chance until I KNOW otherwise or she has demonstrated that she is no longer interested in carrying on.

@Ribh @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @LozzyR @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue @Shadrach

 

[BY Bob]

Umm, technically, Jaffar isn't a bachelor. He has his own harem. Hmmmm....does that make him a sheik?

Tax:
View attachment 2996109View attachment 2996110View attachment 2996111View attachment 2996112

How are you the first to ever make this comment?!!! Well Played!

 

[micstrachan]

Thank you for the update, Bob!!!

I am glad Lilly and Hattie are back home. Still hoping for the best. That is all for now.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you for the update, Bob!!!

I am glad Lilly and Hattie are back home. Still hoping for the best. That is all for now.

Thanks.

 

[micstrachan]

I also appreciate you sharing about an injectable, 7-day, slow release Doxicycline option. Very good info. It’s great stuff (my last line of antibiotic defense before enrofloxacin) and not to have to dose her daily is awesome!

Can you share dosing info?

Edited to add: meaning how much did they give her and how much does she weigh? I’d like to try to calculate mg/lb per day.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Lilly is back home tonight

I felt it best to put that right out there. Now I will endeavor to explain what the visit to the vet revealed, did not reveal, and what action was taken.

Revealed

1. Lilly has lost muscle mass. Her keel bone is significantly more prominent than it was back in November. The doctor noticed it immediately. At the time of the initial exam the thought was that this indicated even more fluid weight.
2. Lilly's liver is enlarged.
3. Lilly has a temperature of 108F (42C). This a degree higher than the vet would prefer.
4. X-rays revealed no eggs in the works, no crazy calcium deposits, nothing significant in the reproductive tract at all. (I was not surprised by this at all. My hope is that she really is done laying eggs forever.)
5. X-rays reveled some fluid build up but not enough to explain the weight gain and distension of her abdomen.
6. X-rays show a noticeable loss of calcium from her bones. (Can elderly chickens have osteoporosis?)

Not Revealed

1. The vet was not able to withdraw any fluid for analysis. This shocked us both.
2. The x-rays did not reveal any easily identifiable mass in her abdomen. However, apparently chicken x-rays are difficult to read for masses. She would need to send the x-rays to a chicken radiologist to be certain that she was not missing something.
3. No single easily identifiable cause for her symptoms was uncovered.

Action Taken

1. Lilly came home. With no solid prognosis at this time there was no way I was taking any other action but bring her home at this time.
2. The vet and I agreed that there has to be some kind of an infectious process going on. Therefore she got a dose of Doxycycline. I say a dose but it is a 7 day course of time release antibiotic in one shot. The perfect method to give a chicken an antibiotic. She remembered me saying how difficult twice a day was with Sansa and went and got this newer method of treatment for her chicken patients.
3. A comprehensive battery of blood tests were sent out. They could be back as soon as tomorrow and she will call as soon as they are back.
4. We held off sending the x-rays to the chicken radiologist until the lab work is back.

So no definitive answers at this point. Lilly is back with the tribe. Hattie too. I spent quite a bit of time with Lilly sitting in my lap at the vet's. It was fun to hear her and Hattie talk to each other as Hattie scratched in the carrier while Lilly sat in my lap.

The Queen is still with us. Long may she reign.

To be realistic, I still expect the final verdict to be bad news. For now there is hope and I will give her that chance until I KNOW otherwise or she has demonstrated that she is no longer interested in carrying on.

@Ribh @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @LozzyR @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue @Shadrach

Oh, this is at least not awful news for now. I am hopeful she gets some relief with treating the apparent infection, whatever her remaining days. Concerned as you are about what is going on inside her, but glad The Iron Beak is still with us for now, if she can be comfortable. On tenterhooks for the next news with the labs. So sweet you sat with her for awhile. Good ride back with Hattie too, and an easy roosting I hope.

 

[bgmathteach]

The Queen is still with us. Long may she reign.

To be realistic, I still expect the final verdict to be bad news. For now there is hope and I will give her that chance until I KNOW otherwise or she has demonstrated that she is no longer interested in carrying on.

@BY Bob, This loss of calcium really hit me kind of hard. Is there a 'condition' that can CAUSE this lack of absorption? I ask because this was an issue for Sansa as well.

I wish I was more biologically/medically knowledgeable, as I don't know what to make of any of this except that Lilly probably has a low grade infection......but what else?????
Hoping for good/actionable results from blood work.

 

[micstrachan]

@BY Bob, This loss of calcium really hit me kind of hard. Is there a 'condition' that can CAUSE this lack of absorption? I ask because this was an issue for Sansa as well.

I wish I was more biologically/medically knowledgeable, as I don't know what to make of any of this except that Lilly probably has a low grade infection......but what else?????
Hoping for good/actionable results from blood work.

Good observation that calcium was an issue for both of them.

Bob, I have some thoughts, but will reserve them until you are feeling like discussing potential strategies. For tonight I hope you just find some comfort in knowing she is home.

 

[Chicken poppy]

It's a rainbow lorikeet. The cuddlers of the Australian wild birds.

i heard there was a vampire finch , it eats animal blood. like kills animals, looks horrific and is horrific

(and they live 20 years old in the wild) no thanks!

also, wouldnt look it up unless you want some gorey images.

rainbow lorikeet is cute though! Sorry for the dark turn

 

[MaryJanet]

Lilly is back home tonight

I felt it best to put that right out there. Now I will endeavor to explain what the visit to the vet revealed, did not reveal, and what action was taken.

Revealed

1. Lilly has lost muscle mass. Her keel bone is significantly more prominent than it was back in November. The doctor noticed it immediately. At the time of the initial exam the thought was that this indicated even more fluid weight.
2. Lilly's liver is enlarged.
3. Lilly has a temperature of 108F (42C). This a degree higher than the vet would prefer.
4. X-rays revealed no eggs in the works, no crazy calcium deposits, nothing significant in the reproductive tract at all. (I was not surprised by this at all. My hope is that she really is done laying eggs forever.)
5. X-rays reveled some fluid build up but not enough to explain the weight gain and distension of her abdomen.
6. X-rays show a noticeable loss of calcium from her bones. (Can elderly chickens have osteoporosis?)

Not Revealed

1. The vet was not able to withdraw any fluid for analysis. This shocked us both.
2. The x-rays did not reveal any easily identifiable mass in her abdomen. However, apparently chicken x-rays are difficult to read for masses. She would need to send the x-rays to a chicken radiologist to be certain that she was not missing something.
3. No single easily identifiable cause for her symptoms was uncovered.

Action Taken

1. Lilly came home. With no solid prognosis at this time there was no way I was taking any other action but bring her home at this time.
2. The vet and I agreed that there has to be some kind of an infectious process going on. Therefore she got a dose of Doxycycline. I say a dose but it is a 7 day course of time release antibiotic in one shot. The perfect method to give a chicken an antibiotic. She remembered me saying how difficult twice a day was with Sansa and went and got this newer method of treatment for her chicken patients.
3. A comprehensive battery of blood tests were sent out. They could be back as soon as tomorrow and she will call as soon as they are back.
4. We held off sending the x-rays to the chicken radiologist until the lab work is back.

So no definitive answers at this point. Lilly is back with the tribe. Hattie too. I spent quite a bit of time with Lilly sitting in my lap at the vet's. It was fun to hear her and Hattie talk to each other as Hattie scratched in the carrier while Lilly sat in my lap.

The Queen is still with us. Long may she reign.

To be realistic, I still expect the final verdict to be bad news. For now there is hope and I will give her that chance until I KNOW otherwise or she has demonstrated that she is no longer interested in carrying on.

@Ribh @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @LozzyR @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue @Shadrach

Yay!! That seems quite hopeful to me. Reach out if you want to talk livers. Look how well Peggy is doing after all this time.

Also, that's a great vet! I'm so pleased she changed her offerings in response to your feedback.

I'm very interested in learning the outcomes of the blood tests.