Issues breathing in almost 10 year old hen

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So could she have fluid around even without ascites? Because she has 0 evidence of ascites.

And a diuretic like dandelion? Because she gets dandelion for 5 days straight then off for 5 days.
See if this helps. (from google)

Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in spaces within your abdomen. As fluid collects in the abdomen, it can affect your lungs, kidneys, and other organs. Ascites causes abdominal pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, and other difficulties.

Heart failure — sometimes known as congestive heart failure — occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.
 
Is there anything else that will be beneficial from the vet visit? Maybe something to treat pneumonia? Or would I just be going to get something I can get over the counter?

Oh and here’s one of her poops, she didn’t have many today. Probably two or three. What does her poop indicate?
 

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That poop is not concerning in my opinion. It appears she isn't struggling with a bacterial infection from its appearance. It does indicate she may not be consuming a balanced diet, though.

This is what I posted on your PM about why a vet visit would benefit Eddie.


I think keeping the vet appointment would help you come up with supportive treatment for Eddie. The vet would know if a diuretic would help or hurt. I'm only suggesting it because it's one of the treatments for human heart failure patients, but it's not right for all of them. I do not know if it would help Eddie or cause other issues as it would tend to dehydrate her, and that might make matters worse for her. This is why a vet's advice would help you make the right decision.


The vet might also have other ideas for helping Eddie. So many of us do not have the luxury of having a vet who will see and treat chickens. You do, so take advantage of it. A vet has knowledge most of us do not possess. When we try a treatment, there's a risk our lack of knowledge and training could end up making matters worse. Going though a vet most often can minimize this risk.


And report back here so we can all learn from it.
 
I think Carol summed it up in her post on your thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-almost-10-year-old-hen.1558422/post-26426161

This is from our pm too. You questioned whether or not to see the vet.

Eddie is an older hen and has had various problems for a good while now. She's had her ups and downs for sure and you have been with her every step of the way, giving her your love and comfort.

I do think you need to go to the vet's appt and see what they have to say. The Vet may be able to offer a care plan to help make Eddie more comfortable for whatever time she has left, or they may not have any solutions at all, you will never know until you go. By seeking professional counsel this should also put your mind at ease over your concerns of AI and hopefully you will come to a better understanding of what is going on with Eddie and will be able to move forward.

I'm sure this is all very upsetting for you but hang in there and see what the vet has to say.
 
Thank you both very much. I will make my decision tomorrow morning on the vet appointment.

Is the diuretic the only thing you can think of that could be prescribed?
Would you think pneumonia could be at play and is there any treatment for that?

And would blood work or X-rays be possible with her breathing issues?
 
I don't know how well avian air sacs show up on Xrays, but your vet should be able to advise whether it's worth it or not.

Gurgling and respiratory distress can be from so many things. Possibly pneumonia, but when I've had hens gurgle, it was at the end stage of life due to cancer, organ failure, etc.
Let your vet help rule out infection, then you'll know more about which direction you need to go.
 
The vet can tell if she has pneumonia by listening to her lungs. If they are fluid filled, they can hear it. An antibiotic might be required, but not all pneumonia is bacterial. If fluid on her lungs is from congestive heart failure, an antibiotic might not help. A vet will be able to tell from her heart sounds if she's in heart failure. They can then judge from her exam what might help. You will not regret the vet visit. It's the one thing you can do that has hope of coming up with something that might work for Eddie.
 
How would a vet rule out infection?

And from the last visit with Eddie we had X-rays done. The heart couldn’t be seen from three different angles but the lungs has the scar tissue in them.
I try to feel her breathes from underneath her, right by her keel bone. Sometimes I can feel rattling but other times I can’t. Can he really listen and tell if she is in heart failure? What would you assume that sounds like? And I guess her sneezing up liquid would point to some kind of liquid in the lungs?
 

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