hen not eating/drinking chest bone protruding

[cindy99]

Her tongue is good now. She sleeps all day and has no energy. She will eat small things and not much -- she likes shredded cheese, watermelon, scrambled egg, bird food, boss - the food tends to pile up in her mouth and then she will shake her head and it all comes back out.

I will start giving her the vitamins again. I stopped when she started the medicine. I emailed the vet and he gave me more of the Baytril but that will be done on Sunday. I put her back out with the other chickens last night - I thought maybe she missed them. It didn't help.

 

[cindy99]

She spends all day with her head tucked in and her tail down.

 

[jjthink]

So sad

Seems like something's wrong that the Baytril isn't getting at.

Maybe Peter Brown can help...
JJ

 

[cindy99]

My vet emailed me back - he is going to see her again tomorrow! He said "free re-check"

 

[mypicklebird]

Have you checked her crop? Have the vet feel her crop if you are unsure of what a normal crop feels like (also feel some of your normal chickens as well). Rule out impacted crop for sure.

 

[cindy99]

Quote:
I will. Thank you! I have a list of questions for him. I went to the farm store today and bought Wazine 17 (it was the only chicken wormer that they had). When her medication ran out - I was going to start her on the wormer. I just didn't know what else to do for her. I feel like I have tried everything else.

She is just so sweet and so patient with me. I feel like I have not slept well in almost 10 days.

I am so relieved that the vet is going to see her again!

 

[jjthink]

Hi Cindy - is this an avian vet?

I mentioned crop 10 days ago when food was coming back out of her mouth. Assumed she had been checked for that when she went to the vet shortly thereafter (and she may have been) but if not, it is such a shame because impacted crop makes a bird major league miserable

Has to be treated competently, something a dog/cat vet is likely unfamiliar with...

If you have time before seeing the vet do a search here on BYC re: impacted crop and sour crop and see if it sounds like what your poor hen is going through.

JJ

 

[cindy99]

I can't feel anything at all in her crop and she was checked for it at the vet's. I really don't think that is what it is but I will have him check again just to be safe!

This is my vet www.drkreger.com Wellsboro Veterinary Hospital Reptile & Bird Clinic And we live in farm country.

He has personally had chickens. It's hard because the first thing you want to do is ask someone who has raised chickens but these farmers all act like chickens are disposable!

Thank you again for all of your help!!

 

[cindy99]

No such thing as a free re-check.

Bluebell has a good crop and her throat infection has cleared up!

She is now on vitamins, baytril, bird probiotics, Nutri-start bird formula and whatever she wants to eat or drink.

She weighs 600 grams. 10 days ago she weighed 800 grams.

Not going to tell you what the total amount $ is now as I don't want my husband to have written proof!

(just kidding) Today was $39.00 and they have requested a stool sample which would cost me another $27.00.

This one had better lay golden eggs! At this rate - it will take her over a year to pay me back! LOL

Does anyone have any idea how much or how often I should give her the baby bird food? The vet said that the instructions would be inside and they are but not for chickens! It doesn't say how much to give her.

 

[jjthink]

Hi Cindy! Huge weight loss - poor baby - but glad the vet has a plan....hopefully this will build her strength and she'll come out of it. Honestly, I wish I had your vet. I never get out the door for less than several hundred at a clip with any of my vets, and often its thousands. Thankfully I don't measure a beings worth by what they can produce in return! (I know you don't either

you are clearly a very caring soul

). I don't really know re: the amounts of baby bird food but imagine that at least initially, whatever she wants she could have.
(did vet ever do blood work?)
Hang in there and sending many good wishes her way and yours. Will check back in on both of you again soon. I fervently hope we'll see a day soon when your feather-girl is bright eyed and loving life again. When we see that joy restored - that is an unforgettable moment.
JJ