Hen With Hard Large Abdomen!!!

[seminolewind]

Welasharon, thanks for the links, some I've read already but there's quite a few that I haven't. I'm pretty sure she has (false layer) or internal laying, the abdomen is the size of a softball, and real hard. But she is acting normal, pecks at others for treats, gets on the roost at night (2feet), bright eyed. I've been giving her special treats every evening so she's happy. She's 5 1/2 years old.

I feel guilty so far about not getting surgery. But I remember when my old horse was in pain and the vet said she would have to come back every day and give him a shot for pain, and , well, I did not, it was time. I have no guilt about that. He was 37, and would not recover to be pain free.

So why the guilt with this? Is it because of the % of the surgery survival or reinfection from the surgery killing her anyway? Can someone reassure me about not doing surgery? I do need some emotional support.

 

[welasharon]

The guilt is from being a caring pet owner who wants to be able to fix everything for our pets. Reality, whether from physical or financial limitations intrude though. You know your situation best and I have read enough of your posts to know you care deeply for your pets. I just had to make a similar decision with two year old silkie who had an impacted crop. I did not realize he was sick till he was pretty bad. I sent him to the vet....but he was not responding...so I had her put him down. I feel bad but it happens, you know? Now I am dealing with a dog with heartworm...somehow I must havebeen late on his medicine...not sure. So I had to decide what to do. Vet wants to treat him.....hundreds of dollars. I have decided not to though....because he is 17 and I am not sure he will survive it and I do not want him miserable in the end. I Will take care of him and love him and when his quality of life is diminished I will have him put down. I hereby absolve both you and me of any guilt whatsoever.

 

[seminolewind]

Thanks, Welasharon. Your poor dog! I don't think those HW tabs are 100%- like everything else in life. Yes, it's a hard choice to make but I think you are right, 17 years old, and the treatment is actually poisoning, and/or has to be done slowly so the heart doesn't get clogged. That is a very stressful thing for a 17 year old dog.

I hereby absolve both you and me of any guilt whatsoever.

Your quote above

Thankyou , you have lightened my guilt. And I know you are a caring owner as well from your posts.
I'm also dealing with my first 2 hens , 5yrs old, one has an abdomen hard and the size of a softball, but it's not bothering her, and her sister who is weak, I don't know why, I'm guessing a bad heart. If I pick her up she turns blue. I've started her on an antibiotic in case it's something else. It's always something, right?

I appreciate the support I'm getting from everyone! They had strawberries today.

 

[welasharon]