Impacted/Doughy Crop + Stool Question, 5-1/2 mo Silkie hen

[Swbertrand1]

Did you read up on Salpingitis? Sometimes the antibiotics can help with the inflammation, sometimes not.

For me, I would treat the crop issue more aggressively to see in that can be resolved. Treat for Sour and Impacted - see what happens. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

I'm sorry she's still struggling. Reproductive disorders can be the pits. Often all you can do is treat symptoms, make them comfortable and once they continue to decline repeatedly, then put them out of their misery.

We've done all of the above. I've read dozens of articles on Saplingitis, and I'm sure we caught it early, but the stools tell me we still have an issue. It's worth noting that we determined the egg laid a few days ago that we thought might be hers was not.

The strange thing is that she's not struggling except that we can tell that her crop is not emptying properly. She's happy, alert, active, preens herself constantly (don't see that out of sick birds), doesn't miss a step with the rest of the chickens, especially her sister, and is generally super happy, content, and appears healthy.

If she declines, we'll cross that bridge when/if it happens, but right now, we're just trying to stay ahead of this because she's such a sweetie. If you could see her in my bf's arms while he's massaging her crop, you'd melt! Her head starts to rock to one side, she starts that little chirring sound (trilling I think it's called), and then the eyes close - SO CONTENT!

We are going hard on the Crop issue now that the Amox is done, yet we're only 36-48 hours since she came off the medication. She has lost about 4 ounces of weight since this began some 12 days ago, but I'm not concerned too much as her appetite is still strong. So, the next couple of days will be telling regarding her long-term prognosis.

As always, thank you for your input!!! I really appreciate it

 

[Eggcessive]

The continued yellow fluid and mucus in her droppings and the dark bits look like some of mine with reproductive disorders, usually that involve the liver. The yellow fluid I think is from liver disease, and that can be associated with EYP, cancer, and ascites. I have an old hen 9 years old now who hasn’t laid in a long time. She always has some yellow urates in her stools. She runs around, eats and drinks, and seems happy.

 

[Swbertrand1]

The continued yellow fluid and mucus in her droppings and the dark bits look like some of mine with reproductive disorders, usually that involve the liver. The yellow fluid I think is from liver disease, and that can be associated with EYP, cancer, and ascites. I have an old hen 9 years old now who hasn’t laid in a long time. She always has some yellow urates in her stools. She runs around, eats and drinks, and seems happy.

She did get a long treatment with Vitamin-E to overcome her Wry Neck. I suppose that could have contributed to Liver or Kidney issues, even at 5-1/2 months of age.

EYP is certainly a possibility considering that she expelled the "cheese-like" mass about 2 weeks ago. Cancer will be hard to diagnose for us, while Ascites is not currently an issue.

This one is happy like yours, so we're trying everything we can. We'd love to be able to help her more, and we're going to treat the Crop Issues as long as is necessary. As long as she stays happy and active, we're happy. If things turn worse, we'll cross that bridge when it comes.

Thank you for your input as always!

 

[azygous]

There is no link between vitamin E, either normal or excessive intake, and liver and kidney damage. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548283/

 

[Swbertrand1]

There is no link between vitamin E, either normal or excessive intake, and liver and kidney damage. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548283/

That's good to hear. Thank you!

 

[Swbertrand1]

After oil and stool softener have still not resolved it, try a Epsom salt flush. You can do a minimal dose by oral syringe of one teaspoon of magnesium sulfate in one ounce of warm water or a more effective flush with half a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of the MS. This you would probably need to tube into her crop. Do it twice a day until the crop is emptying, but no more than three days total.

We're at the stage of having to get more aggressive with the Impacted Crop. Over the weekend, she's gotten slightly worse in that her appetite is down and her stools are not as frequent. She's also lost a total of 5 ounces of weight since this began. She started at 2#-3oz; today she weighs 1#-14oz.

Help me understand the Epsom Salt dosage you mentioned above please. If we go with the "more effective" flush, do we administer the entire 1/2-cup of warm water with a TSP of MS at each dose? I'm reading 1 TSP with one ounce of water, but also 1 TSP with four ounces of water, so I'm a bit confused. What I'm getting at is that 1/2 cup of water is a LOT of water in a little Silkie hen!

Thank you!

 

[azygous]

For a bantam use one-fourth cup water as the maximum solution amount so as not to overfill her crop. The one-half cup is just right for a standard chicken but would overfill a bantam's crop.

Use a one-fourth cup to one teaspoon salts solution twice a day for one to three days. Be sure she has access to plain water to drink, as well. If she continues to weaken, you may need to tube feed her. Often, one tube feeding will restore energy and cue the appetite so she will start eating again on her own.

 

[Swbertrand1]

For a bantam use one-fourth cup water as the maximum solution amount so as not to overfill her crop. The one-half cup is just right for a standard chicken but would overfill a bantam's crop.

Use a one-fourth cup to one teaspoon salts solution twice a day for one to three days. Be sure she has access to plain water to drink, as well. If she continues to weaken, you may need to tube feed her. Often, one tube feeding will restore energy and cue the appetite so she will start eating again on her own.

I'm still confused by the mixture. The amount of MS doesn't change, just the amount of water?? I'm no mixologist, but doesn't that double the concentration if we go from 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup with no change in the MS dosage?

She's not really weak, but the loss of weight concerns us moderately right now. She is eating and drinking on her own, but we withhold the food (moist Feed mixed with Yogurt and Fried Egg) to prevent her from overloading the Crop and to try to get this broken with regular doses of Coconut Oil.

NOTE: We just started back with Dulcolax today (regular Coconut Oil is her primary therapeutic from last Thursday until today), but want to be ready tomorrow with the Epsom Salt...

 

[azygous]

The one teaspoon of MS remains the same regardless of the amount of water you use in the solution. You can use as little as one teaspoon to one ounce of water and it will still work. I prefer the larger volume of water as I feel it will be more effective as a flush.

The principle is this. One teaspoon of magnesium sulfate is required to stimulate the intestines to produce mild diarrhea. The water is a carrier for the salts to get it inside the intestines. The larger volume of water will act additionally as a more effective flush, just as a stopped up toilet will respond better to four gallons of water chasing the clog than just a quart.

Forgive me for comparing a chicken to a toilet, but the flushing principles both involve volume of water and the assistance of gravity.

 

[azygous]

One teaspoon of salts won't hurt the small bird. This is very safe and the only risk is dehydration unless plain water is not provided.