Help, chicken diarrhoea, one already dead :-(

[sarah-jane-lucy-lou]

unfortunately our hen did not make it.
the vet completed a post mortem and didn't find very much wrong
no worms, no coccidiosis, no heart problems, no respiratory problems, other than diarrhoea no digestive problems, there was a little food in crop and gizzard, but she was very underweight and dehydrated
the only thing she found that could have been a problem was a small 'focal legion' on her liver
Our other hens, so far, seem fine, I have now had them all wormed.
thank you both so much for your help and advice
S

 

[Eggcessive]

Thak you for the necropsy report, and sorry for your loss. Good to hear that the vet tested for worms and coccidiosis. It would be hard to know for sure what the lesion on her liver was, but there are several types of cancer that affect chickens. Spots on the liver can be a sign. Two viruses Mareks disease and lymphoid leukosis, are known to cause cancerous tumors throughout the body. Hens are prone to oviduct cancers as well. Most state poultry vets will perform a necropsy and will do histology to look for tumors and take cultures to rule out certain diseases.

 

[sarah-jane-lucy-lou]

Thak you for the necropsy report, and sorry for your loss. Good to hear that the vet tested for worms and coccidiosis. It would be hard to know for sure what the lesion on her liver was, but there are several types of cancer that affect chickens. Spots on the liver can be a sign. Two viruses Mareks disease and lymphoid leukosis, are known to cause cancerous tumors throughout the body. Hens are prone to oviduct cancers as well. Most state poultry vets will perform a necropsy and will do histology to look for tumors and take cultures to rule out certain diseases.

the vet said that they didn't think it was Mareks - however, Lymphoid Leukosis was suggested, and was also suggested for the first one that we didn't have a necropsy report for. So interesting that you have also mentioned it. I am keeping a close eye on the remaining hens, and if they remain healthy will wait until the spring before we get any more, just to make sure.
Thanks again