I Think Jess is Dying... :(

[Aunt Angus]

Jessamine is my oldest hen. She was rescued from an abandoned FFA project. I estimate she's at least 7, if not older. She's a Golden Comet, so I know that she's susceptible to reproductive issues.

Here are her symptoms:

• Standing, hunched up, tail down
• She's very thin
• Empty crop
• Uninterested in food
• No sign of ascites
• No egg binding (she hasn't laid in about a year)
• Everything else seems fine (comb is red, feet are good, eyes are clear, no respiratory symptoms, vent looks fine)

I normally check all my chickens at least 1x/week for body condition, but I was out of town earlier this week and crazy sick since then. Today's the first day in over a week I've gotten to that, and it isn't looking good.

I will bring her inside tonight wirh a heating pad (on low) and offer her egg, Nutridrench, and electrolytes since she's so thin.

I guess my question is if this is just her end of life or if I should treat as an illness....

My gut says it's reproductive in nature and therefore has a very poor prognosis. I can maybe get her to a vet next week.

I'd appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If she hasn't laid in a year, it probably isn't reproductive in nature.
I probably wouldn't waste time trying to get her to a vet. It would be best for her to get her to UC Davis for euthanasia and necropsy to find out what it is. I would guess it is cancer.

California
California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory
University of California, School of Veterinary
Med 620 West Health Science Drive Davis, California 95616
Phone: 530-752-8709

 

[Aunt Angus]

If she hasn't laid in a year, it probably isn't reproductive in nature.
I probably wouldn't waste time trying to get her to a vet. It would be best for her to get her to UC Davis for euthanasia and necropsy to find out what it is. I would guess it is cancer.

California
California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory
University of California, School of Veterinary
Med 620 West Health Science Drive Davis, California 95616
Phone: 530-752-8709

I'm feeling that it's probably something like that.

She's an amazing chicken. I'll see if I can't get her in to be euthanized soon. I'm going to miss her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Over the years I've had to have two euthanized for cancer and one just died before I could get her in but she went down in about 3 day.
They hide it well.
Mine didn't look thin and while slow, she was still running with the flock but sleeping alone on the floor.
I just got this done this week.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Avian Gross Necropsy Examination
Animal Id Penedesenca
Species Avian
Breed Chicken
Age 3 y
Specimen Description Dead Animal
Gross Comments The body is thin and no fat is present. There is feed in the crop and gizzard.
The body cavity is distended with clear watery fluid. The serosal linings of the
abdominal area, liver, spleen, and intestine are covered by proliferations of
firm, tan, 2 to 5 mm diameter nodules. The ceca contain pasty brown content.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS Carcinomatosis
Comments 4/14/22: Carcinomatosis is a form of cancer that occurs in chickens
occasionally. The cancer cells block the lymphatic drainage of the body cavity
when they proliferate on the linings of the body cavity.

 

[Mrs J]

I'm feeling that it's probably something like that.

She's an amazing chicken. I'll see if I can't get her in to be euthanized soon. I'm going to miss her.


View attachment 3065771

 

[Aunt Angus]

Over the years I've had to have two euthanized for cancer and one just died before I could get her in but she went down in about 3 day.
They hide it well.

Should I bring her in or leave her in the coop?

I'm wondering if it might make her feel a little bit better if I can warm her up and get some food in her.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I hate this part of sharing a life with animals. They leave us too soon.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Keep her as comfortable as possible. Warm when they are sick.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I hate this part of sharing a life with animals. They leave us too soon.

I don't recommend it but you could get big parrots. Then you and your children will die before they do. Then you'll leave behind sad parrots.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I don't recommend it but you could get big parrots. Then you and your children will die before they do. Then you'll leave behind sad parrots.

I used to have tortoises (we rehomed them years ago). They will outlive us also.

And these things always happen at bad times. It's Saturday, so I can't do much until Monday. I'm still sick with a nasty, nasty sinus infection. I have a broody in broody jail in my bathroom and chicks in a brooder in my livingroom. I have a duck I'm treating for bumblefoot (again).

I really need to quit my day job.