Help! How do I Know if Hen Aspirated?

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

I'm currently treating a hen for EYP. The vet prescribed oral, liquid anti-inflammatory. She fought while giving it, and unfortunately I think she aspirated some. She gurgled, coughed and sneezed a few times (within the span of 30 seconds). It could only have been 1/8 cc or even less that was administered. Virtually the entire 1 cc dose was still in the syringe upon stopping.

After that she has been seeming fine. She's breathing normally and I don't hear any rattling or raspiness, no open beak. Scratched around and ate a little since. How much do I have to worry, and what can I do to stay vigilant and offer supportive care?

I feel horrible and I don't think administering the metacam is worth the risk. She has already been through so much and is such a fighter. I'm tearing my hair out over this.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I'm currently treating a hen for EYP. The vet prescribed oral, liquid anti-inflammatory. She fought while giving it, and unfortunately I think she aspirated some. She gurgled, coughed and sneezed a few times (within the span of 30 seconds). It could only have been 1/8 cc or even less that was administered. Virtually the entire 1 cc dose was still in the syringe upon stopping.

After that she has been seeming fine. She's breathing normally and I don't hear any rattling or raspiness, no open beak. Scratched around and ate a little since. How much do I have to worry, and what can I do to stay vigilant and offer supportive care?

I feel horrible and I don't think administering the metacam is worth the risk. She has already been through so much and is such a fighter. I'm tearing my hair out over this.

Yes they can aspirate. I had the same thing happen to a hen after administering oral antibiotics. She inhaled some and spent an hour coughing and sputtering. My heart nearly stopped but she recouped without any issues at all! More often than not they should be fine. In the future, I'll check out some new methods for delivering oral antibiotics. She's a particularly feisty girl!

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Yes they can aspirate. I had the same thing happen to a hen after administering oral antibiotics and. She inhaled some and spent an hour coughing and sputtering. My heart nearly stopped but she recouped without any issues at all! More often than not they should be fine. In the future, I'll check out some new methods for delivering oral antibiotics. She's a particularly feisty girl!

That is heartening to hear, thank you. I'm hoping because her aspiration signs only lasted for 30 seconds to a minute and she's now acting normally I am I'm the clear. Your experience certainly makes me feel that is possible.

She's also on strong injectable antibiotics for the next two weeks so that should *hopefully* knock out any budding issues the aspiration may cause with pneumonia. I'm so frustrated at myself. I would be horrified if this led to her condition worsening.

Let me know if you find better ways to force feed liquid. I'm done with this method. I may try mixing small amounts into her feed--I just wish her appetite were more predictable (that had been my biggest challenge the last few days).

 

[humblehillsfarm]

That is heartening to hear, thank you. I'm hoping because her aspiration signs only lasted for 30 seconds to a minute and she's now acting normally I am I'm the clear. Your experience certainly makes me feel that is possible.

She's also on strong injectable antibiotics for the next two weeks so that should *hopefully* knock out any budding issues the aspiration may cause with pneumonia. I'm so frustrated at myself. I would be horrified if this led to her condition worsening.

Let me know if you find better ways to force feed liquid. I'm done with this method. I may try mixing small amounts into her feed--I just wish her appetite were more predictable (that had been my biggest challenge the last few days).

As much as I hate syringing antibiotics it’s seems to be the simplest when all other factors are considered

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm currently treating a hen for EYP. The vet prescribed oral, liquid anti-inflammatory. She fought while giving it, and unfortunately I think she aspirated some. She gurgled, coughed and sneezed a few times (within the span of 30 seconds). It could only have been 1/8 cc or even less that was administered. Virtually the entire 1 cc dose was still in the syringe upon stopping.

After that she has been seeming fine. She's breathing normally and I don't hear any rattling or raspiness, no open beak. Scratched around and ate a little since. How much do I have to worry, and what can I do to stay vigilant and offer supportive care?

I feel horrible and I don't think administering the metacam is worth the risk. She has already been through so much and is such a fighter. I'm tearing my hair out over this.

She's also on strong injectable antibiotics for the next two weeks so that should *hopefully* knock out any budding issues the aspiration may cause with pneumonia. I'm so frustrated at myself. I would be horrified if this led to her condition worsening.

You may find the article below helpful for giving her the oral meds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...er-construction-check-back-for-updates.73335/

I hope she shows signs of improvement soon. What antibiotic did your vet prescribe for the EYP?

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

You may find the article below helpful for giving her the oral meds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...er-construction-check-back-for-updates.73335/

I hope she shows signs of improvement soon. What antibiotic did your vet prescribe for the EYP?

Thank you!

He prescribed ampicillin, 125 mg 2x daily, for two weeks. And metacam as an anti-inflammatory that I have yet to properly dose her with--I'm scarred by this morning's attempt (though still not seeing respiratory issues so fingers crossed she's in the clear).

This all started when a soft egg broke in her. Got her to work it out with warm epsom baths and calcium. Took her to the vet the next morning because she was still clearly off, and her crop was ballooning. Upon exam he couldn't find any signs of inflammation or fluid retention around the reproductive area. And she was alert and strong (just not herself). A very small vague spot on an x-ray, circulated to a couple avian vets, led to the consensus of likely EYP.

Since then her crop went back to normal and her poops look good, just small because she is not eating enough. That's been my biggest challenge. She still preens, talks, scratches around, and roosts, but naps more and only eats in tiny snatches. Strong enough to put up a huge fight when it came to the metacam though!

Any tips to help her through are appreciated. She is my favorite hen, and unfortunately has been struggling with laying issues for the past 6 months (thin-shelled eggs every day). I know this is unlikely to resolve for good, but I hope I can get her well enough to enjoy more time doing the chicken-y things she loves to do. If she gets sick again I may have to let her go gracefully. But I've spent $300 (and I'm dealing with an angry husband about that) to get her well this go round so I'm determined to make something of it. If she were fluffed up and tapped out then I wouldn't fight so hard but she seems to have lots of life in her yet.

Andddd I rambling. Sorry. And thanks for the resource!!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Thank you!

He prescribed ampicillin, 125 mg 2x daily, for two weeks. And metacam as an anti-inflammatory that I have yet to properly dose her with--I'm scarred by this morning's attempt (though still not seeing respiratory issues so fingers crossed she's in the clear).

This all started when a soft egg broke in her. Got her to work it out with warm epsom baths and calcium. Took her to the vet the next morning because she was still clearly off, and her crop was ballooning. Upon exam he couldn't find any signs of inflammation or fluid retention around the reproductive area. And she was alert and strong (just not herself). A very small vague spot on an x-ray, circulated to a couple avian vets, led to the consensus of likely EYP.

Since then her crop went back to normal and her poops look good, just small because she is not eating enough. That's been my biggest challenge. She still preens, talks, scratches around, and roosts, but naps more and only eats in tiny snatches. Strong enough to put up a huge fight when it came to the metacam though!

Any tips to help her through are appreciated. She is my favorite hen, and unfortunately has been struggling with laying issues for the past 6 months (thin-shelled eggs every day). I know this is unlikely to resolve for good, but I hope I can get her well enough to enjoy more time doing the chicken-y things she loves to do. If she gets sick again I may have to let her go gracefully. But I've spent $300 (and I'm dealing with an angry husband about that) to get her well this go round so I'm determined to make something of it. If she were fluffed up and tapped out then I wouldn't fight so hard but she seems to have lots of life in her yet.

Andddd I rambling. Sorry. And thanks for the resource!!

Ugh I'm sorry you're going through that. There's nothing wrong with spending that kind of money on a pet that you love. Been there, done that!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you!

He prescribed ampicillin, 125 mg 2x daily, for two weeks. And metacam as an anti-inflammatory that I have yet to properly dose her with--I'm scarred by this morning's attempt (though still not seeing respiratory issues so fingers crossed she's in the clear).

This all started when a soft egg broke in her. Got her to work it out with warm epsom baths and calcium. Took her to the vet the next morning because she was still clearly off, and her crop was ballooning. Upon exam he couldn't find any signs of inflammation or fluid retention around the reproductive area. And she was alert and strong (just not herself). A very small vague spot on an x-ray, circulated to a couple avian vets, led to the consensus of likely EYP.

Since then her crop went back to normal and her poops look good, just small because she is not eating enough. That's been my biggest challenge. She still preens, talks, scratches around, and roosts, but naps more and only eats in tiny snatches. Strong enough to put up a huge fight when it came to the metacam though!

Any tips to help her through are appreciated. She is my favorite hen, and unfortunately has been struggling with laying issues for the past 6 months (thin-shelled eggs every day). I know this is unlikely to resolve for good, but I hope I can get her well enough to enjoy more time doing the chicken-y things she loves to do. If she gets sick again I may have to let her go gracefully. But I've spent $300 (and I'm dealing with an angry husband about that) to get her well this go round so I'm determined to make something of it. If she were fluffed up and tapped out then I wouldn't fight so hard but she seems to have lots of life in her yet.

Andddd I rambling. Sorry. And thanks for the resource!!

Sounds like you are doing o.k.
Look at the article I linked previously, that will help you get the meds into her.
I usually let my birds stand on a table or something that is fairly high that way I can drape an arm over them and pull them to my body. With the arm that is draped, I have that hand I can use to hold the head or pull down on wattles to open the beak. Some birds are easier than others, but the Metacam will help reduce inflammation and hopefully allow her to heal along with the antibiotics.

Laying hens and reproductive issues sadly go together. If she's still laying eggs, then for 3 days only I would give her extra calcium like 1/2 Caltrate. I usually direct dose hens with poultry vitamins for 2-3 days as well.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Th

Sounds like you are doing o.k.
Look at the article I linked previously, that will help you get the meds into her.
I usually let my birds stand on a table or something that is fairly high that way I can drape an arm over them and pull them to my body. With the arm that is draped, I have that hand I can use to hold the head or pull down on wattles to open the beak. Some birds are easier than others, but the Metacam will help reduce inflammation and hopefully allow her to heal along with the antibiotics.

Laying hens and reproductive issues sadly go together. If she's still laying eggs, then for 3 days only I would give her extra calcium like 1/2 Caltrate. I usually direct dose hens with poultry vitamins for 2-3 days as well.

That article was really helpful--from the side is how we'd spoon feed little bits of mash and that went more smoothly. I can't lie and say I'm not extremely anxious to try again but you are right the anti-inflammatory is important. I hope it helps her gain her appetite back.

Would it be possible to administer via a small amount of mash, mixed in?

Thank you again.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Sounds like you are doing o.k.
Look at the article I linked previously, that will help you get the meds into her.
I usually let my birds stand on a table or something that is fairly high that way I can drape an arm over them and pull them to my body. With the arm that is draped, I have that hand I can use to hold the head or pull down on wattles to open the beak. Some birds are easier than others, but the Metacam will help reduce inflammation and hopefully allow her to heal along with the antibiotics.

Laying hens and reproductive issues sadly go together. If she's still laying eggs, then for 3 days only I would give her extra calcium like 1/2 Caltrate. I usually direct dose hens with poultry vitamins for 2-3 days as well.

Also, she hasn't been laying since the ordeal though her follicles indicated activity on the x-ray. I'd love if she'd just stop laying forever but that is a pipe dream.

She's a doll for the shots--so calm and not a peep out of her. I never thought injecting her would be far less traumatizing than syringe feeding her.