Help - Ants all over sick bird!

[Maryallison]

Hi there. I am thinking happy thoughts for you and your chicken. I really hope she is going to be ok. I am going though some different issues with my flock & Threehorses helped me out lot!

 

[threehorses]

Likely you've already been to a vet, but there is a way to get a large egg like that out. Here's how:

First, you do as you do the palpation: glove your hands, lubricate your finger with olive oil or KY jelly (my preference as it washes out).

Insert your right hand index finger into the upper part of the vent - against the top wall of the cloaca very gently. Use your left hand very delicately against the abdoment to very very gently "sandwich" the egg between your finger and hand to guide it back and out of the vent. Oil the egg within so that it will come out easier.

If the egg is too large to pass, you can poke a hole in the part of the egg that it out of the vent (the end) and collapse the egg slightly so that it can more easily come out of the vent. It is *** absolutely essential*** that you do the following step immediately afterwards: Use a baby's ear syringe or a baster from the kitchen to flush the cloaca over and over inside with *cool*, not warm, water. If you have it, use a few drops of Nolvasan in the water. If you don't, cool water will work. This flushes out the bits of egg that you couldn't get out, cools the tissues to reduce inflammation and reduce the chances of prolapse. It's as important to get as much of the yolk/egg white out, too.

In these cases, it's helpful to have penicillin injectable onhand and know how to use it to prevent infection if there were any cuts.


In the mean time, I hope the vet visit went well. Perhaps he can give you some oral penicillin or amoxicilling to help with the wounds, etc.

Please let us know how it goes, and honsetly if I were you I'd still keep the thread here.

 

[inksville]

Well Starla has left us.

The vet said that what she felt when she examined her cloaca did not really feel like an egg/s. She felt the masses just weren't the right size and shape of eggs. I don't know, it sure felt like an egg to my husband and I.

She offered to do x rays. I said no, because Starla was in such bad shape it just felt pointless. Also the money was a factor as I'm not sure how we are going to make it to the end of the month as it is, much less with a big vet bill.

So I signed the euthanasia form, but for some reason I never got to say goodbye to her. The just asked me to sign it, and then came back and told me I could go. It was weird, they knew she was a pet chicken. I left and didn't say anything to the staff, but now I am really bothered.

I don't know. I am just sad. She is not suffering anymore, that is consolation. I just almost don't want chickens anymore. This has been so hard,

I meant to say a heartfelt thanks to EVERYONE who replied, and all the knowledge of 3horses, I am so thankful.

 

[redhen]

I'm so sorry. YOu gave her the best thing ever, release from pain, and a quick passing. Again, so sorry.

 

[muell112]

I am really sorry too. You tried really hard and she was lucky to have you as an owner, as will future chickens if you decide to keep having them. It's good her suffering is over and again, sorry.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Aww hon, I'm so very sorry.

That is a rather sad ending. Because it bothered you, honestly, I would call and gently tell the vet that perhaps they should let the clients know that they won't get to see the pet again - and give them the option as you didn't get closure.

Lots of hugs. It may be that she had some neoplasias there. Did they do a necropsy to determine what the lesions were? Or just euthanize her?

I'm so very sorry - you at least took her to a vet, which is still something not many people would do. You did a lot for her and really tried. I hope that you can find a way to enjoy your healthy girls now, and please let us know how we can help you do that.

Again, hugs.

 

[jadasmith99]

i am so sad for you and your loss. i know you did everything you could and i can only hope i will be as wonderful a steward of my girls if it ever became necessary.

warm hugs to you.

 

[inksville]

Oh God, you are the best, kindest people ever. I keep getting away from this and feel oh well-whatever-it was just a chicken- about it. Then 10 minutes later my husband finds me sobbing on the couch. It's so strange. I still have 4 hens, but because this one was al;ways sickly, she was the closest one to me.

I feel anger at the others birds for pecking her. I know they just do it, but I felt like my little flock would be different. that is part of my sudden desire to not have chickens. They were just so cruel to her.

As far as the vets office goes, they didn't offer to do a post mordem type thing (however you spell it). I wish I thought to ask, but I would have been so sad if it had been eggs after all...

They took her from me in the waiting room right after I checked in. After about 20 min. the vet took me into a room to talk to me about what she found, then had me sign the paper. Just a few minutes later a tech told me i could go. Like I really didn't realize that was it. I thought they were going to bring her in and do it in my lap like they do with cats and dogs.

At least they *saw* her though, so I appreciate that. I do think i will call and just mention that wasn't what i expected. I still had to pay $90, so it wasn't a charity case.

Oh well, I bought a bottle of wine, but I am not enjoying it. I think I am really tired. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[LynneP]

I'm so sorry you lost her, it sounds as though what was wrong was far past what an owner could handle. You've learned a few things about vets, too, and how to express your wishes, which will make any future decisions easier for you. It doesn't matter whether it's a gerbil or a horse, if you're attached, the loss is terrible.

 

[joy]

You worked so hard on her,you have nothing to reproach yourself for.