Hen Losing Weight

[casportpony]

Quote: You're welcome!

-Kathy

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Kathy, have you ever seen a chicken or other animal just stop eating and drinking? I'm sure her calcium is still a little off, but I have the supplement, I put oyster she'll I'm there, and I found a fed with 3.5%. But there is no improvement with her. She gained a fee ounces, but she takes one bite and is no longer interested in food. I've marked the water; she hasn't tried to take one drop on her own. Is this normal when they're just feeling off? I just hate to think I'm prolonging the inevitable, but I don't want to give up if there's still hope.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Ok, just got off the phone with the vet. She thinks if there is any kind of discomfort that could be causing my hen to not want to eat or drink. After work I'm going to pick up a pain killer, anti-biotic, and a bigger tube (again magically had something else!!!) This one is an 18 french...which is exactly what I asked for in the very beginning. She said if that's not big enough she will order another, but it will take a week to get in. So I figure I'll buy it and order another. These will all be added to the first aid kit.

So all in all I've decided there is still hope. She also mentioned peritonitis? ...I think thats how it would be spelled, but wasn't convinced so I suppose we'll see what happens after some meds. Again I'm feeling that I wish she would have offered all of these things in the beginning when i asked. We start the new routine tonight

 

[casportpony]

There is always a reason that they stop drinking and eating, but it can be tricky to find that cause.

Check out this thread for tubing supplies.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/915751/tube-feeding-supplies-and-where-to-get-them

-Kathy

 

[JensChickies]

Ok, just got off the phone with the vet.  She thinks if there is any kind of discomfort that could be causing my hen to not want to eat or drink.  After work I'm going to pick up a pain killer, anti-biotic, and a bigger tube (again magically had something else!!!)  This one is an 18 french...which is exactly what I asked for in the very beginning.  She said if that's not big enough she will order another, but it will take a week to get in.  So I figure I'll buy it and order another.  These will all be added to the first aid kit. 

So all in all I've decided there is still hope.  She also mentioned peritonitis? ...I think thats how it would be spelled, but wasn't convinced so I suppose we'll see what happens after some meds.  Again I'm feeling that I wish she would have offered all of these things in the beginning when i asked.  We start the new routine tonight

Does your hen close her eyes?? Mine used to act like she was going to eat, then pull her head back and close her eyes, sort of like she was in pain. Now that she has been on the antibiotic she has not done that. Feeding will be a lot easier. I am going to order more supplies from that web site Kathy gave us. What antibiotics did she give you??

 

[BayBay Peepers]

She leans over to take one bite then stops. Maybe it is pain. I don't know what antibiotic yet. She said she's going to check what they have because she has some that are not allowed to be prescribed to chickens. I would guess I find out soon because I told her I would stop in this afternoon.

I'll admit I was losing hope this morning, but with something new to try I have less doubt. I just feel so frustrated that its like I have to pull teeth to figure out other avenues or get supplies. I just don't see how hard it was to sell me the 18 french in the first place. But then again I can't be too upset, because now I'll be able to get it.

Crossing my fingers that this is going to benefit my hen.

 

[casportpony]

Ask the vet if all drugs were legal for chickens what they would give her. If they say Baytril or Cipro, you can get that yourself without a prescription.

-kathy

 

[JensChickies]

She leans over to take one bite then stops.  Maybe it is pain.  I don't know what antibiotic yet.  She said she's going to check what they have because she has some that are not allowed to be prescribed to chickens. I would guess I find out soon because I told her I would stop in this afternoon. 

I'll admit I was losing hope this morning, but with something new to try I have less doubt.  I just feel so frustrated that its like I have to pull teeth to figure out other avenues or get supplies. I just don't see how hard it was to sell me the 18 french in the first place.  But then again I can't be too upset, because now I'll be able to get it.

Crossing my fingers that this is going to benefit my hen.

Yes there are limits on what they can prescribed. Kathy is right, the good antibiotics arnt allowed in chickens. If possible get those she mentioned above. They should have sold you an 18 in the begging, that's frustrating. Hopefully the antibiotics will help her out and she will improve.

 

[casportpony]

My vet will prescribe any of the banned drugs, but has me sign a paper that says I'll never eat the eggs or meat from that bird. Some vets will not prescribe them, period.

-Kathy

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I'll ask. Because if thats the case I will hunt it down haha