Fox attack - limp neck

[casportpony]

Don't know chicken anatomy, does the tube need to be in the crop? Help, some more knowledgable people regarding chicken anatomy and tube feeding.

Yes, the tube needs to go all the way into the crop. The standard 16" catheter is fine for all chickens.

 

[casportpony]

Anyone know a vet or vet tech, who might be willing to share info for all of us who can't run to the vet for everything, or have to travel for a livestock vet?

I am not a vet, nor a vet tech, but I do have lots of experience tube feeding and providing supportive care to chickens, ducks, geese, peafowl, etc. I have searched the web for what I believe are the best videos and have read numerous books and articles on the subject.

Edited to add:
Have taught numerous people how to tube, including teenagers. If you can hold a chicken still, you can tube. If any of you have ever had to give a dog or cat subcutaneous fluids under the skin, this is a no-brainer for you. Trust me, anyone can do it!

 

[Leighe]

I have been to the only two around here. One is outrageously priced, it cost me more to leave her there than anything, and I know if he saw her, he'd want to euthanize. The other one is not helpful. I've been to another one at that place, she was ok, but is gone. This new one tended to a hen recently that had a large piece of skin missing on her side. She wanted to do surgery and scrape the surrounding skin and she estimated a total cost of 3-4 treatments at 200 dollars each. I told her I was reading this site and blah blah and she said in snippy style that this website is an eyeroll and her nemesis. However I disagreed telling her how helpful it is. I declined the surgery and she gave me Clavamox and Chlorhexidine to clean it and said good luck. Well, I followed advice here and Sweet Pea is just about totally closed up all on her own without surgery. So that's it, there aren't anymore farm vets or avians around here. Its a shame but that's it. One veterinarian did offer to give me a tube a couple years ago, but he wouldn't treat her. My hen finally began to eat/drink on her own. Shew! Well, she does seem to take the water down. It's not dribbling out or choking her. Question, if I can feel the tube in her crop, do I have it right?

Look on here http://aav.site-ym.com/search/newsearch.asp and type in your state in the search. Any Avian vets registered in your state will show up. I found so many I had to go look at websites to decide which one I'd try first. I hit the lottery on them. A husband/wife team who specialize in birds...he even does surgery on their tiny wings! Look to see if you have any. Birds are just so different from other animals/pets. Mine doesn't charge anything compared to my dog vet.

 

[Loona]

Hmmm, look at what I just found:
https://www.calvetsupply.com/product/Feeding-Tube-14-French/Feeding_Tubes_Supplies

Size 18 french is ideal. Ask what size he has.

OH - Now I see how it's done. Great! OK. I see the tip on those don't need cutting? And they're rounded. I've got a message to the vet, haven't heard back yet.

A while ago we were trying to get her to poop, and she didn't. So I went on to clean around the vent, and I'm so perplexed at what is going on. There seems to be a 'bone' or something hard sticking out to the right side of her vent. The skin on the top of the vent has these bilateral "scalloped edge" on each side. I don't know what that is. It that normally inside and only comes out when they lay an egg? I've looked at a prolapsed vent on Youtube, but she doesn't seem to have anything fully prolapsed but def something is pushed out and maybe it's because of that bone-like thing that has broken through the skin. Whatever it is shouldn't be showing : \ The fox did get her rear end because it was bleeding in several places, and initially I thought it ripped her vent. I'm feeling very worried about this.

I'm feeling relieved using the watermelon as hydration. She easily drinks down (1) 12.5ml capful from the children's Advil cup. Shortly I will try some soaked pellets and see how that goes. Today is proving to be about the same as yesterday. She can stand on her right foot, but doesn't want to on her left. She can use it though, but wants to keep it up. Her neck is about the same. I can let go and she can hold it herself to drink, but after that if does kind flop to the side. Not going to push it though because I'm sure it is painful.

 

[Loona]

I am not a vet, nor a vet tech, but I do have lots of experience tube feeding and providing supportive care to chickens, ducks, geese, peafowl, etc. I have searched the web for what I believe are the best videos and have read numerous books and articles on the subject.

Edited to add:
Have taught numerous people how to tube, including teenagers. If you can hold a chicken still, you can tube. If any of you have ever had to give a dog or cat subcutaneous fluids under the skin, this is a no-brainer for you. Trust me, anyone can do it!

Yes, I've had to give Sub Q's to my cat for months, so wow, you are def making me feel more comfortable about it. Can you point me to a video that you find most helpful? Thank you!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

@Ursuline Chick
It's great you want to learn!
Here's a couple of links that may help answer some of your questions

Kathy has a tube feeding thread here: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding

You may also want to check out this link: http://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/

@Cluckcluck1215 I believe we are all here to learn, ask questions and share. I hope that the OP @Loona finds your story encouraging.

Thank you so much, This is what I needed, hope it helped loona as well.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Sorry, Ursuline Chick.I was very tired this morning, and Wasnt in my right mind.I apologize.

oh. I wasn't offened, was glad to get the info, thanks

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Wasn't trying to high jack thread, just know there are certain things that must be done when placing an oral feeding tube in a human and didn't want to see Olga injured any more than she was, as well as knowing my self. I can easily get either a feeding tube or red rubber cath to keep in my kit at home. this has just been so informative. Thanks to everyone who jumped in and helped loona and Olga. Glad Olga seems a little better today, sounds like it may take some time, she is lucky to have loona and everyone here who care.

 

[biophiliac]

How big are their stomach tubes and how much do they cost compared to a red rubber catheter? When I tube fluids to a full sized bird I used a size 18 French like this:

This is the exact same tube that a vet sold when I had to give a cat enemas.

Hmmm, look at what I just found:
https://www.calvetsupply.com/product/Feeding-Tube-14-French/Feeding_Tubes_Supplies

Size 18 french is ideal. Ask what size he has.

That looks ideal - soft rounded tip, yes???

 

[Ursuline Chick]

That looks ideal - soft rounded tip, yes???

yes, they have rounded tips. Just didn't know if you cut it, if it would work without harming the hen and how do you measure for proper fit to crop.