Help for an aging hen

[azygous]

Tube feeding is actually very safe and easy, and practically foolproof.

Yes, the tube goes into the hole in the throat located on the chicken's right side of the throat. The center, where you can see the "glottis" is the airway. If you accidentally start inserting the tube into the airway, your patient will start to gag, the signal you aren't far enough over to the side.

The chicken fights having her beak pried open, but will calm down as the tube slides down the esophagus. I measure the length from beak to bottom of the crop and make a mark on the tube. That way I know when it's at the bottom as I insert it, then I back it out an inch.

The chicken is usually pretty calm as I syringe the food into the tube. I pull the tube out a bit as the crop fills so I'm topping off the contents. I think it's more comfortable for the chicken doing it that way.

Occasionally, I can't quite find the esophagus as I am probing the throat with the tube, but if I run it along the right wall of the throat, it usually slides right in. As I said, if you do it wrong, you'll hear from the chicken before it does any harm.

 

[crazychick26201]

Thank you so much for your encouragement and help. Today is one week since she started going down. As of today she hasn’t eaten anything since Thurs. morning. I am still syringing water down her three times a day. Yesterday I put her outside in the garden and she ate a couple clover. Overnight I think she may have eaten two blueberries. This morning her poop actually had some round black stuff in it. More than I have seen in a week. Still no eating or drinking on her own. Tomorrow is her vet appointment. I want them to check for ovarian cancer or kidney failure. If she has something that can be cured I will ask for a feeding kit. If she does not, I will ask for euthanasia and a necropsy if possible then cremation. That’s all I can think to do. In any case, she has had a wonderful life with much love and excellent care. I love her so much, and hope that there can be some help.

 

[azygous]

It's unfortunate the little beings we love and have bonded with have short lives. It's hard to let them go.

 

[Sequel]

I’m so sorry about your hen! Ask for the feeding kit either way. That way you’ll have it in the future. My vet was touched because I was willing to try tube feeding, and she gave me the catheter and syringe. Refused payment for it!
I wish you the best outcome possible! Azygous is rock solid educator here so you can be sure you’re in good hands!

 

[crazychick26201]

I am sad to report that Yellow Feet was euthanized this morning after an X-ray revealed that she had a large mass in her abdomen. Vet’s assessment: ovarian cancer. Thank you everyone for all your support, advice and help.

 

[crazychick26201]

One good outcome from all this is that I have found a vet who will treat poultry. I did not think to ask for a feeding kit but feel sure they will have one if I need it. In this case I think that feeding her this way would have caused more suffering. Under what circumstances would tubal feeding be justified or help? For future reference.

 

[azygous]

It's always up to the chicken keeper when to call it quits and end suffering, but when cancer is the issue, and the chicken has become pretty much non-responsive, it's wise to end it.