green poop, penguin posture and straddled walk

[tony vaughan]

hello rebrascora. thanks a lot for your advice, it has really helped. the more i think about it the more inclined too think it is salpingitis from what you have described, it ties in with her not laying and going through waves of tiredness this summer, but looking in great condition. i am wondering if warm baths and blow drying will help relax her. were going to the vet this morning. will be interesting to get there opinion. just looked at her now, and i am thinking that maybe the best thing is to ask the vet to put her to sleep, but she is a fighter and maybe if we can give her some relief she could go on through the winter with TLC. its a difficult decision.

 

[rebrascora]

If you are interested and perhaps it might help you make a decision about your hen, I was recently watching a You Tube video of a lady doing a DIY post mortem examination (necropsy) of a hen with a bad case of salpingitis..... which I think she incorrectly describes as egg yolk peritonitis which occurs in the abdominal cavity rather than salpingitis (infection in the oviduct which this mostly is) although there is a small element of internal laying as well (the pale yellow discs of egg material in the abdominal cavity between the layers of tissue and organs) but the main mass that she cuts into is actually the oviduct that is packed full of infected egg material which sets like it's cooked, with liquid egg yolks at the back that have been more recently released from the ovary and not had time to become infected. It is not difficult to imagine the discomfort this bird must have been in to be in that state. Only you can make the right decision for your hen, but if you are not too squeamish, this video really helps to understand how horribly wrong their system can go.
I need to warn you that the video is very graphic but might help you make your decision and perhaps understand a little more about these ailments than my words can describe........
Will need to head off to find a link to it now......
Here it is..................

Apologies to anyone reading who did not wish to see anything graphic like that opening shot on the video and did not intend to click on it. I had hoped to post just a link to the video rather than a direct insert. Not sure why that happened.... I'm not very tech savvie I'm afraid.

 

[tony vaughan]

hello rebrascora. thanks for the video. the amount of egg yolk accumulated was incredible, its amazing that the hen can live so long. i'm waiting for the vet to call, she is having a look just now, here's hoping. thank you for spending the time sharing everything, means a lot.

 

[tony vaughan]

hello again. well it was a tumour in the ovary, very large one, must have been growing since she stopped laying in the winter. she died at the vets when they were examining her. a very sad end, but i was seriously considering having her put to sleep as the pain must have been unbearable. a lovely hen that will not be forgotten. thank you all for your replies, many of which have increased my knowledge and which will help in the future.

 

[rebrascora]

I'm so very sorry to hear that, but at least you can reassure yourself that she had a great life with a wonderfully caring owner and there was absolutely nothing more that you could have done for her.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So sorry for your loss.

You were facing a difficult choice. It almost like she let you down gently as way to say thank you for the good life and care.