buffy-the-eggpile-layer
Crowing
- May 29, 2019
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Hello. Yesterday I posted a thread about our ISA brown, "Buffy," who was suddenly showing signs of heat stress at the peak of the afternoon (here is the OG post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/please-help-possible-heat-stroke-or-sick.1327905/).
Well, we took her to the vet today and she found a pretty bad heart murmur (she said she'd only come across this once before in her career--in an old rooster--and it wasn't nearly as bad). At her young age, it is likely congenital. Right now we are feeding her via a tube into her crop--this will hopefully give her enough vitality bad so she will start eating again on her own. We'll also start a course of antibiotics just in case an infection is causing her heart to swell (though her stool test had no evidence of parasites or disease). We think the heat this past week plus her condition pushed her over the edge. For those who may have the same issue in their flock, here were her symptoms:
Buffy has been a great big sister to our inaugural backyard flock of 7 girls--she watches over them, guides them towards treats, and corrals them to bed every night. She is a gentle leader to boot. We are grateful to have her for as long as we can, so long as she is living her best life. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for Buffy!
Just the other day:
As a baby (I call this a "Belfie" - "Buffy" + Selfie):
Well, we took her to the vet today and she found a pretty bad heart murmur (she said she'd only come across this once before in her career--in an old rooster--and it wasn't nearly as bad). At her young age, it is likely congenital. Right now we are feeding her via a tube into her crop--this will hopefully give her enough vitality bad so she will start eating again on her own. We'll also start a course of antibiotics just in case an infection is causing her heart to swell (though her stool test had no evidence of parasites or disease). We think the heat this past week plus her condition pushed her over the edge. For those who may have the same issue in their flock, here were her symptoms:
- lethargy - mobile but slowed-down
- sleepiness
- beak agape and intermittent panting
- disinterest in eating
- failure to thrive (wasting)
- seeming fine until she suddenly wasn't
Buffy has been a great big sister to our inaugural backyard flock of 7 girls--she watches over them, guides them towards treats, and corrals them to bed every night. She is a gentle leader to boot. We are grateful to have her for as long as we can, so long as she is living her best life. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for Buffy!
Just the other day:
As a baby (I call this a "Belfie" - "Buffy" + Selfie):
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