Impacted crop vs. Thrush (update post #28, pg. 3; treatments started)

[CUDA]

In my experience, you never worm a sick, and weak chicken, it is a strain on their already weak system. I honestly believe you have a fungus issue in the crop, and digestive tract. You really need to do the copper sulfate thing, but it may be too late, you need to catch this stuff before the bird gets too weak. I hope you get her fixed up, but if she won't drink, and doesn't want to move, she probably won't make it, and you might want to consider putting her down. Either way, you need to keep her away from your other birds, just in case. Good luck, and wish I could do more for you, I know it's hard to watch.

 

[raindrop]

d.k :

*I added to the "tempy" post a couple other things to check, RD. Got a couple ideas bout food & water, too. BUT, first things first, you gave her an inj. & were thinking surg. --- Are you also supplied to put in a I.V. if need be???

No fluid around the shoulder. When I felt around her shoulder she made a little groan noise, made me think of a respiratory noise. I think she probably aspirated, bad news I know. Yes, I have access to I.V. supplies.​

 

[raindrop]

Quote:
Yeah, I was worried about worming her. I tried to look up some other antifungals since from what I read about copper sulfate I was worried about using it (I am pregnant right now) and its sounds pretty toxic, but I didn't find anything about chickens specifically, and all the antifungals I have used before are contraindicated in sick and debilitated animals as well. She has been moving some, she is closer to the food and water than she was, and looked at me when I came in. I should try antibiotics too I guess in case she aspirated, but I worry about antibiotics in the case of fungal disease.

Any other things to tempt her to eat with?
In any case, she will be warm tonight and I'm sure she appreciates that.
I will put her down if she is still alive with no improvement in a couple days.
I am kicking myself for not doing this last week when I first suspected she was "off." Live and learn I suppose.

 

[sammi]

please check her mouth and throat for any yellowy or whitish plaque or sores.

feel the crop for any lump.

fungal infection can be treated with nystatin..

might also be treated with ACV in the water.

you can also try the copper sulfate..but be very careful to use as directed.

this does sound like a yeast/fungal infection..
in any case sounds like the crop is not functioning.

sounds like some is getting thru, maybe just water..
the green could indicate fungal infection, and/or undiluted bile from not eating.

the crop needs to be cleared.
do you have access to a vet?
can you make a crop tube?

 

[raindrop]

Quote:
No plaques, etc. in mouth. No lump in crop, just fluid-filled.
What's ACV?
Yes, I am a dog/cat vet
I don't know what a crop tube is... but I could make one if I knew, I have access to red rubber feeding tubes, etc.

 

[sammi]

ACV is apple cider vinegar.(1-2 tablespoons in 1 gallon water)

I will post a link with pic of crop tubing..
you can use a levage tube..or any sanitary small tubing.

 

[sammi]

some ideas and info:

click here for important info

click here for sour crop/crop tube info


click here for crop needle info

click here for more info

 

[d.k]

*Do you think RD could or euen SHOULD i.v. her for dehydration, sammi???

 

[sammi]

if the hen has not eaten or had water..
IV for hydration might be a good idea.

vitamins and electrolytes would help also.
electrolytes by durvet found at farm/feed stores.
and poultry vitamins, or Polyvisol childrens' vitamins..2-3 drops on beak for a week, then taper off is the suggested course.

 

[raindrop]

You guys are all great, thank you.
I looked up a picture of a crop tube, and we have those at the clinic but don't know if they are long enough, I think I would use a red rubber feeding tube. I can get metronidazole tomorrow. I looked for copper sulfate at two farm stores today and couldn't find it. My parents have a bag of it that is about 25 years old that we used to use for sheep foot dips if that's the right stuff.
With the copper sulfate, I suppose I would guess how much she would be drinking and give her that much by crop tube every few hours? Don't want to give too much I know. I figure I will have to tube feed her to get any nutrition in at this point, and I will avoid sugar and antibiotics.

sammi- the info at the links you gave is great, thank you