Lethargic, poopy, not hungry, HELP!

[blondiebee181]

Thank you for the responses, guys it's always nice to get some more advice, opinions, and good thoughts...I am considering worming for sure, I was hesitant to worm Daisy because the couple people I talked to yesterday, one person on here and another at the feed store, said it's risky to worm sick chickens....it's hard on them...but I am considering it for the rest of the flock and if Daisy gets better I will or if that turns out to be the other issue...

As far as mites, I've heard I should get a spray for the birds that can be rubbed around the face, vent and under the wing especially...does anyone have a recommendation on a brand that works the best? I used DE because it was what I had at the time....and sprayed the coop with a dilution of Durvet Permethrin....

How about ducks? Do they have mite problems the same as the chickens? I have 2 Runners...

I hope she doesn't have a reproductive issue, but the runny white and soft shell she laid yesterday is worrying...a fellow BYCer whom I have been consulting with says that some hatchery layers can have these problems and show them a lot earlier in life than breeder stock...I hope not, I am pretty attached to my hens and would hate to see one of them go...she's only 3 years old...

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I use the permethrin now. I mix it according to the directions and I spray their bums, under the wings, all over the body, and just make sure to avoid the eyes. I have used sevin dust in the coop twice and now just spray with permethrin. I put DE in the dust bath, not because I think it will work, but it just makes it extra fluffy. (had the bag figured I'd use it up somehow)

I really hope the vet can help get to the bottom of your girls problem and that there isn't any kind of permanent damage. I've had my white leghorns lay a soft/no shell egg twice and only one had a terrible problem. It's a sad fact of life that they've been bred to power lay and sometime their body just can't handle it. I really hope she's alright and that her body can get strong enough.

As for ducks. I spray mine, but have never seen a mite on them. I don't know if they're extra resistant or just plain lucky, but I spray them every couple weeks as a precaution.

Please keep us updated on what your vet says

 

[blondiebee181]

I will. The vet still hasn't called back so we will see...I will monitor the rest of the flock close and I may use the spray on them if bugs persist. I know that usually you need to retreat a couple times as the mites hatch...so probably will redust and spray in a couple days. I'll keep everyone posted on Daisy.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Good luck with her, will be interested to see what the vet says. She sure is a pretty bird!

 

[blondiebee181]

So I can spray the permethrin directly on the birds right?

 

[blondiebee181]

The update is, she is at the vet until tomorrow morning...the vet and I chatted about the possibilities earlier today. They found an enlarged lump just below her breastbone that the vet suspects is her liver, enlarged from infection, or even possibly a tumor...she hasn't been eating much and was dehydrated too. The vet also did a stool smear and found what she thinks was an abnormally higher count of bacteria so she could have an infection which at this point would be the good news, because antibiotics are the cheapest direction to go. If it something like EYP, cancer or some other reproductive or internal problem, it's hard to say what without X-ray images which are too expensive or bloodwork...and even with all that there would be little they could do to treat such things. The vet suggests we try a course of oral antibiotics and see what happens over the course of 5-7 days. If she doesn't get better, or takes a turn for the worst, she said to bring her back in and they will euthanize her.

Poor baby girl. Prayers that she gets better.

 

[mightymax]

Oh no! I'm so very sorry. I'm sure that wasn't the news you were hoping to hear. But don't give up on her just yet. She still has a week or so of oral antibiotics to take and maybe that'll be just enough of a kick start for her to end up making it through this! Chickens can be fairly resilient. I know I've been amazed at the comebacks I've seen. Just when you think that 'this is it', all of the sudden, they'll pop back up on those skinny little legs of theirs, and run through the garden just like they did before they were ill. I sure wish this for you and for Daisy. You both will be in my prayers tonight. I check in with you in the early afternoon if that's alright with you.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

X2 theres still a chance she'll make it. Im hoping for the best

 

[blondiebee181]

Thank you guys so much, it's great to have the support

I went and picked up Daisy this morning, and she certainly seemed more bright-eyed and energetic after her first dose of antibiotics and plenty of fluids. The vet showed me where the inflamed spot is, so maybe I will be able to keep track of whether it goes down. She gave me 5 days worth of oral antibiotic and said if she gets better in that period of time she will refill more, if she takes another downturn, she said they would euthanize her for me if need be...I brought her home and she started scratching around in the yard, which is a good sign and is currently hanging in the coop with the rest of the girls and drinking on her own. I am concerned that she hasn't laid anything since Thursday evening... I hope that the antibiotics aren't just a short-term booster and that they truly help her. Keep us in your thoughts.

 

[blondiebee181]

By the way I just want to go ahead and add that Daisy does not seem to be externally contagious so I went ahead and let her hang out with the rest of the hens.