Sad news:
DD's favorite hen (Xansie) is hospitalized at the vet right now. For those who know me, it's unlikely that I would ever spend so much on a chicken. However, this particular hen is DD's support animal, sleeps in her bedroom, and "visits" her bantam flock outside when not in DD's arms. This bird has been with DD throughout many health issues. So, she is currently at the vet's being treated for sour crop. I pray they are successful,
Things were fine until Sunday night. Her crop was very large. Food was removed.
Monday: crop did not empty. We tried olive oil on bread and massage with not much success. ..... she laid and egg, so I knew it wasn't related to a reproduction health. Tried coconut oil & massage in early evening. Things softened but size was still large.
Tuesday: Tried more oil and massage 3 xs. Poor girl was so hungry but barely ate any egg or yogurt. She wanted chicken food! Her crop was still large and squishy. I gave her a little mushy food and crop massage.
Wednesday: She laid another normal egg. Although crop was not as hard, I felt bad starving Xansie. She was literally crying/ whining while looking up at me. I gave her some chick feed mixed with water. However, her crop greatly expanded and she looked uncomfortable. She wasn't really pooping. Later when I massaged her crop it felt different - dough-like. In the pm she started to have a ferment-ish smell. Options were to continue home treatment (which had little positive results) or pay a lot of money to see an exotic animal vet.
DD decided to use her own money to treat her special chicken. I made a lot of calls yesterday to find a place that treats chickens, discuss prices, and had availability before next week. Let's just say it was a lot of calls but I was successful in finding a vet who happened to have an appointment today.
I'm also glad that we were able to have her looked at before her body started shutting down. (several places had the vet but no appointments until early to mid next week)
Some hope: Vet agreed that it is likely crop impaction. Tests showed no infection or huge yeast build up. Fluids, meds, and liquid food were put into crop along with massage. Crop size went down! They will repeat process and keep her overnight to see how she does.
& 
DD's favorite hen (Xansie) is hospitalized at the vet right now. For those who know me, it's unlikely that I would ever spend so much on a chicken. However, this particular hen is DD's support animal, sleeps in her bedroom, and "visits" her bantam flock outside when not in DD's arms. This bird has been with DD throughout many health issues. So, she is currently at the vet's being treated for sour crop. I pray they are successful,
Things were fine until Sunday night. Her crop was very large. Food was removed.
Monday: crop did not empty. We tried olive oil on bread and massage with not much success. ..... she laid and egg, so I knew it wasn't related to a reproduction health. Tried coconut oil & massage in early evening. Things softened but size was still large.
Tuesday: Tried more oil and massage 3 xs. Poor girl was so hungry but barely ate any egg or yogurt. She wanted chicken food! Her crop was still large and squishy. I gave her a little mushy food and crop massage.
Wednesday: She laid another normal egg. Although crop was not as hard, I felt bad starving Xansie. She was literally crying/ whining while looking up at me. I gave her some chick feed mixed with water. However, her crop greatly expanded and she looked uncomfortable. She wasn't really pooping. Later when I massaged her crop it felt different - dough-like. In the pm she started to have a ferment-ish smell. Options were to continue home treatment (which had little positive results) or pay a lot of money to see an exotic animal vet.
DD decided to use her own money to treat her special chicken. I made a lot of calls yesterday to find a place that treats chickens, discuss prices, and had availability before next week. Let's just say it was a lot of calls but I was successful in finding a vet who happened to have an appointment today.
I'm also glad that we were able to have her looked at before her body started shutting down. (several places had the vet but no appointments until early to mid next week)
Some hope: Vet agreed that it is likely crop impaction. Tests showed no infection or huge yeast build up. Fluids, meds, and liquid food were put into crop along with massage. Crop size went down! They will repeat process and keep her overnight to see how she does.
& 
