Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

My male cat, Grochatila, was absent for 24 hours which isn't that unusual for him.
However we just found him like this, he's been stung near the eye, probably by a hornet.
We'll see if he's better tomorrow morning otherwise he's going to the vet . His behaviour is normal- he is his usual sleepy Garfield self.
View attachment 3200612

One of my stupid cats caught and ate a yellow-jacket/wasp. It stung her really bad on her lip just below the nose. It swelled up so I was worried she wouldn't be able to breathe and she was really miserable for about 24 hours. Then it just seemed to get better on its own.

 

[RoyalChick]

Stay of execution
Here is a short update on my beloved Bella Dracula. She has not been doing well at all. I think I already posted that she had stopped eating and drinking and I had decided to tube feed her. My thinking was that she is young and has a known viral infection which will most likely pass.
All was going well though she was dropping weight and getting weaker.
Then her crop started to slow and I couldn't tube feed her if her crop was already full without risk of aspiration. So she was getting less food and fluid. She has become physically very weak but mentally all there and interested in her surroundings and chatting to her buddies.
On Sunday I brought her in for a few hours because it was so unbearably hot. She delivered a quite normal poop and was interested in eating frozen corn kernels. I started to hope again.
Then Monday all action stopped. No reduction in crop size overnight or during the day and no poop. I resolved that if that was still the case this morning I would take her to be euthanised because starving to death did not seem like a humane way to die.
Sure enough early this morning there had been no poop overnight and her crop was the same size as on Monday and Sunday night with nothing having gone in.
As soon as the vet opened I made an appointment for her to be euthanised. I would be able to do it myself if she were in extreme pain - but when I pick her up she perks up and looks around and sometimes grooms my hair or my shirt. I didn't trust myself not to waver.
Appointment made I went back to the Chicken Palace to give her her 'last meal'. She had pooped and her crop was a little bit smaller. So I called the vet back and said I wasn't sure and I just needed her help with the decision.
Off we went. I opened up the cardboard box at the vet and Bella periscoped up. She devoured more corn and a treat the vet offered her.
The vet said, I think she needs more time.

Nobody get excited by this - I have been there 3 times already this last week - the difference here is I made it all the way to the vet.
But for now, Bella gets to live another day.
I on the other hand am completely exhausted with the stress of it all.

 

[featherhead007]

Stay of execution
Here is a short update on my beloved Bella Dracula. She has not been doing well at all. I think I already posted that she had stopped eating and drinking and I had decided to tube feed her. My thinking was that she is young and has a known viral infection which will most likely pass.
All was going well though she was dropping weight and getting weaker.
Then her crop started to slow and I couldn't tube feed her if her crop was already full without risk of aspiration. So she was getting less food and fluid. She has become physically very weak but mentally all there and interested in her surroundings and chatting to her buddies.
On Sunday I brought her in for a few hours because it was so unbearably hot. She delivered a quite normal poop and was interested in eating frozen corn kernels. I started to hope again.
Then Monday all action stopped. No reduction in crop size overnight or during the day and no poop. I resolved that if that was still the case this morning I would take her to be euthanised because starving to death did not seem like a humane way to die.
Sure enough early this morning there had been no poop overnight and her crop was the same size as on Monday and Sunday night with nothing having gone in.
As soon as the vet opened I made an appointment for her to be euthanised. I would be able to do it myself if she were in extreme pain - but when I pick her up she perks up and looks around and sometimes grooms my hair or my shirt. I didn't trust myself not to waver.
Appointment made I went back to the Chicken Palace to give her her 'last meal'. She had pooped and her crop was a little bit smaller. So I called the vet back and said I wasn't sure and I just needed her help with the decision.
Off we went. I opened up the cardboard box at the vet and Bella periscoped up. She devoured more corn and a treat the vet offered her.
The vet said, I think she needs more time.

Nobody get excited by this - I have been there 3 times already this last week - the difference here is I made it all the way to the vet.
But for now, Bella gets to live another day.
I on the other hand am completely exhausted with the stress of it all.

I would hang on with her longer too. Poor Bella, she’s so sweet . Come on little lady, you are needed there. (And with all of us on BYC)

 

[ManueB]

Stay of execution
Here is a short update on my beloved Bella Dracula. She has not been doing well at all. I think I already posted that she had stopped eating and drinking and I had decided to tube feed her. My thinking was that she is young and has a known viral infection which will most likely pass.
All was going well though she was dropping weight and getting weaker.
Then her crop started to slow and I couldn't tube feed her if her crop was already full without risk of aspiration. So she was getting less food and fluid. She has become physically very weak but mentally all there and interested in her surroundings and chatting to her buddies.
On Sunday I brought her in for a few hours because it was so unbearably hot. She delivered a quite normal poop and was interested in eating frozen corn kernels. I started to hope again.
Then Monday all action stopped. No reduction in crop size overnight or during the day and no poop. I resolved that if that was still the case this morning I would take her to be euthanised because starving to death did not seem like a humane way to die.
Sure enough early this morning there had been no poop overnight and her crop was the same size as on Monday and Sunday night with nothing having gone in.
As soon as the vet opened I made an appointment for her to be euthanised. I would be able to do it myself if she were in extreme pain - but when I pick her up she perks up and looks around and sometimes grooms my hair or my shirt. I didn't trust myself not to waver.
Appointment made I went back to the Chicken Palace to give her her 'last meal'. She had pooped and her crop was a little bit smaller. So I called the vet back and said I wasn't sure and I just needed her help with the decision.
Off we went. I opened up the cardboard box at the vet and Bella periscoped up. She devoured more corn and a treat the vet offered her.
The vet said, I think she needs more time.

Nobody get excited by this - I have been there 3 times already this last week - the difference here is I made it all the way to the vet.
But for now, Bella gets to live another day.
I on the other hand am completely exhausted with the stress of it all.

It seems your attention and love make her hang on to life even when her body's failing...I can't imagine how hard these ups and downs must be for you .
I wish chickens could tell us their end of life wishes.

 

[BY Bob]

I'm so tempted to bath princess View attachment 3200376

Why? She worked real hard to get that dirty.

 

[BY Bob]

So, we had a surprise when we got home last night. My brother's girlfriend's cat had kittens and she killed all but 1 and abandoned it. We get home and he brings mom the kitten and asks her to help. It was very weak and he and his girlfriend had been trying to bottle feed it with no success. Mom had me track down our old eye dropper we used when we raised a kitten before and she mixed up some sugar water for it for a quick energy boost. Got a few drops down it and then about 10 minutes later finally got it to eat some milk replacer. It is now eating every 2 hours and seems stronger. My brother was trying to find someone on facebook who had a momma cat to give the kitten to but as of right now, mom wants it. She says we are not keeping it. Truthfully it is hard to raise a orphan kitten and we could loose it anytime but she is in love already. It is a grey and white boy and she named it Nickels. Rosie already fell in love with it as well and they both have been missing Jynx terribly. I'm going to say if it lives, I have another cat. Mom does not name something she does not plan on keeping. Now to break the news to dad lol.

This is a sweet thing to do. Cats are wonderful companions and get along well with chickens. Best of luck to you all.

 

[BY Bob]

Here is little Nickels after her last feeding. I got to thinking, mom will be so busy taking care of him that she may not notice any new Chiquita babies for a few days if they hatch.
View attachment 3200471View attachment 3200472

 

[BY Bob]

Tuefer Tuesday.

Brune and Cannelle

View attachment 3200591
Théo and Chipie
View attachment 3200594
Gaston and Merle. Yes they've stolen the chair.
View attachment 3200598
The two unnamed
View attachment 3200601
And an old one from Brune and Caramel, because we wish she were here. Caramel is on the left.
View attachment 3200605

Wonderful photos!

 

[BY Bob]

Stay of execution
Here is a short update on my beloved Bella Dracula. She has not been doing well at all. I think I already posted that she had stopped eating and drinking and I had decided to tube feed her. My thinking was that she is young and has a known viral infection which will most likely pass.
All was going well though she was dropping weight and getting weaker.
Then her crop started to slow and I couldn't tube feed her if her crop was already full without risk of aspiration. So she was getting less food and fluid. She has become physically very weak but mentally all there and interested in her surroundings and chatting to her buddies.
On Sunday I brought her in for a few hours because it was so unbearably hot. She delivered a quite normal poop and was interested in eating frozen corn kernels. I started to hope again.
Then Monday all action stopped. No reduction in crop size overnight or during the day and no poop. I resolved that if that was still the case this morning I would take her to be euthanised because starving to death did not seem like a humane way to die.
Sure enough early this morning there had been no poop overnight and her crop was the same size as on Monday and Sunday night with nothing having gone in.
As soon as the vet opened I made an appointment for her to be euthanised. I would be able to do it myself if she were in extreme pain - but when I pick her up she perks up and looks around and sometimes grooms my hair or my shirt. I didn't trust myself not to waver.
Appointment made I went back to the Chicken Palace to give her her 'last meal'. She had pooped and her crop was a little bit smaller. So I called the vet back and said I wasn't sure and I just needed her help with the decision.
Off we went. I opened up the cardboard box at the vet and Bella periscoped up. She devoured more corn and a treat the vet offered her.
The vet said, I think she needs more time.

Nobody get excited by this - I have been there 3 times already this last week - the difference here is I made it all the way to the vet.
But for now, Bella gets to live another day.
I on the other hand am completely exhausted with the stress of it all.

Well it is something that still has the will. Hopefully this is the nadir and she starts to turn the corner. I'm so sorry. This has to be very hard on you.

 

[BY Bob]

I wish chickens could tell us their end of life wishes.

It really would make things easier.