Is it wise to attempt a 1h45 trip to the vet ?

[Marie2020]

Thank you so much to everyone for your advice and opinions.
We managed to look up in her throat this morning. I could see nothing special except a bit more saliva than normal. I don't know if this is good or bad news.
She is certainly grieving, all the hens were in shock the day after Vanille passed and she was especially close to her. But her difficulty breathing began before. I think the stress and the heat made it turn suddenly worse.

I'm hoping that is an infection that can be cured.

 

[Ponypoor]

Well, no good news. I just got out of the clinic, the radiography showed that her abdomen is full of liquid. She was so hyperventilating when we got there that the vet said she would wait for several hours before punctioning the liquid, and they will keep her for a few days depending on if she survives and what they see after punctioning her. It could be ascites or cancer, but could maybe be just an infection.
She may not make it, or they may put her to sleep, but the vet said that they will try to give her a chance if it's only infectious, and that anyway she wasn't in a state to make the trip back home just now.

So it's no use having regrets now, but my choice to take her to the vet will very likely turn out to have been the wrong one for Caramel.

Oh how sad. But don’t look at it that way, if it is something terminal then best have her euthanized at the Vets rather than suffer and linger.

But let’s wait to hear from the Vets. I try to be optimistic and I have fingers crossed

 

[bgmathteach]

Well, no good news. I just got out of the clinic, the radiography showed that her abdomen is full of liquid. She was so hyperventilating when we got there that the vet said she would wait for several hours before punctioning the liquid, and they will keep her for a few days depending on if she survives and what they see after punctioning her. It could be ascites or cancer, but could maybe be just an infection.
She may not make it, or they may put her to sleep, but the vet said that they will try to give her a chance if it's only infectious, and that anyway she wasn't in a state to make the trip back home just now.

So it's no use having regrets now, but my choice to take her to the vet will very likely turn out to have been the wrong one for Caramel.

Don't say that! Clearly she was in severe distress...not because of the trip, but because of her condition......you are at least giving her a fighting chance, as I am sure she would have passed at home with no intervention. I'm praying that it is an infection, and can be helped with antibiotics. If not, a peaceful passing, instead of one struggling to the end, is definitely better for her. Clearly, though, you not being present is harder on you and your partner

Do remember that these high production breeds are only meant to live about 18 months. You have given her almost double that through your good care, support and love!

I feel a rant coming on, so I will just go quickly - and end with this: it is just not fair at all that their lives are so short....they live long enough to secure their place in our heart...then leave a huge hole there when they pass.

 

[ManueB]

The vet called me back, and I'm left with another interesting ethical decision to make. They found yolk inside Caramel, it was an internal laying that must have happened quite some times ago for her to have been in respiratory distress from it.

The vet says they can do an abdominal enema and then sterilize her, but she is not completely sure that Caramel will survive the operation. It means anesthesia and opening her up, and she says ovarian tissue is very diffuse in layer hens.
Or we can take her home with antibiotics, but this very likely means letting her go. We took her too late to the vet to have her simply heal on antibiotics and eventually implanted.

 

[Marie2020]

Don't say that! Clearly she was in severe distress...not because of the trip, but because of her condition......you are at least giving her a fighting chance, as I am sure she would have passed at home with no intervention. I'm praying that it is an infection, and can be helped with antibiotics. If not, a peaceful passing, instead of one struggling to the end, is definitely better for her. Clearly, though, you not being present is harder on you and your partner

Do remember that these high production breeds are only meant to live about 18 months. You have given her almost double that through your good care, support and love!

I feel a rant coming on, so I will just go quickly - and end with this: it is just not fair at all that their lives are so short....they live long enough to secure their place in our heart...then leave a huge hole there when they pass.

spoken from the ❤

 

[Marie2020]

The vet called me back, and I'm left with another interesting ethical decision to make. They found yolk inside Caramel, it was an internal laying that must have happened quite some times ago for her to have been in respiratory distress from it.

The vet says they can do an abdominal enema and then sterilize her, but she is not completely sure that Caramel will survive the operation. It means anesthesia and opening her up, and she says ovarian tissue is very diffuse in layer hens.
Or we can take her home with antibiotics, but this very likely means letting her go. We took her too late to the vet to have her simply heal on antibiotics and eventually implanted.

It's massive decision.
I'm so pleased you have a vet that actually understands chickens, to me that's incredible

 

[RoyalChick]

The vet called me back, and I'm left with another interesting ethical decision to make. They found yolk inside Caramel, it was an internal laying that must have happened quite some times ago for her to have been in respiratory distress from it.

The vet says they can do an abdominal enema and then sterilize her, but she is not completely sure that Caramel will survive the operation. It means anesthesia and opening her up, and she says ovarian tissue is very diffuse in layer hens.
Or we can take her home with antibiotics, but this very likely means letting her go. We took her too late to the vet to have her simply heal on antibiotics and eventually implanted.

Oh Manue, that is indeed another difficult decision.
I don't think anyone can tell you the right answer, just know that whatever you do we are here to support you, and I know you will do it from the best possible place in your heart.

 

[MaryJanet]

The vet called me back, and I'm left with another interesting ethical decision to make. They found yolk inside Caramel, it was an internal laying that must have happened quite some times ago for her to have been in respiratory distress from it.

The vet says they can do an abdominal enema and then sterilize her, but she is not completely sure that Caramel will survive the operation. It means anesthesia and opening her up, and she says ovarian tissue is very diffuse in layer hens.
Or we can take her home with antibiotics, but this very likely means letting her go. We took her too late to the vet to have her simply heal on antibiotics and eventually implanted.

I think that's called egg yolk peritonitis and it's common in ex batts and other fast laying hens. For what it's worth, the vet I take the hens to also keeps sterilisation (by hysterectomy) in our conversations and in my mind. He knows it's the one guaranteed way to prolong a laying hen's life, and when one of them need it, I will agree to it. I won't hesitate a second time (the first time he suggested it, I hesitated).

 

[MaryJanet]

The vet called me back, and I'm left with another interesting ethical decision to make. They found yolk inside Caramel, it was an internal laying that must have happened quite some times ago for her to have been in respiratory distress from it.

The vet says they can do an abdominal enema and then sterilize her, but she is not completely sure that Caramel will survive the operation. It means anesthesia and opening her up, and she says ovarian tissue is very diffuse in layer hens.
Or we can take her home with antibiotics, but this very likely means letting her go. We took her too late to the vet to have her simply heal on antibiotics and eventually implanted.

Such a difficult situation for you

 

[Folly's place]

Abdominal surgery is difficult for birds, as you've been told. It is her best/ only chance for a pain free life though.
Sometimes there isn't an easy way, both plans are difficult.
All the best, whatever you decide. You must be comfortable with your decision, hard as it is.
Mary