Lethargic Wyandotte… possible mold exposure or…?

[zalena]

No, I’ve never had to deworm.

I bought a needle/syringe today so I drained her this evening. The liquid is very dark- almost black (picture). From what I’ve read that means infection?

I didn’t want to take too much so I maybe got a cup out. There is so much that her belly feels like I took nothing.

I gave her amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium because that’s all I have on hand.

She’s not touching any food. I’m forcing water into her. She’s already so skinny that I wonder if she’ll starve to death. Should I force feed some yolk?

I should drain more tomorrow, right? I don’t know what else to do…

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No, I’ve never had to deworm.

I bought a needle/syringe today so I drained her this evening. The liquid is very dark- almost black (picture). From what I’ve read that means infection?

I didn’t want to take too much so I maybe got a cup out. There is so much that her belly feels like I took nothing.

I gave her amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium because that’s all I have on hand.

She’s not touching any food. I’m forcing water into her. She’s already so skinny that I wonder if she’ll starve to death. Should I force feed some yolk?

I should drain more tomorrow, right? I don’t know what else to do…

Did she improve any with the amount of fluid you already drained?
It may be that she's filling up with fluid faster than you can drain, but you don't want to drain too much, this can cause her to go into shock or heart failure.
You will want to hydrate her before you try to drain anymore. Electrolytes would be good.

When the abdomen is that bloated, then they usually won't eat much, because of the pressure on the digestive system.

Green fluid is not very good. It can be infection, but often with green fluid it would mean liver dysfunction. I notice in the poop photos the urates are yellow, do you find that to be true?

 

[zalena]

Did she improve any with the amount of fluid you already drained?
It may be that she's filling up with fluid faster than you can drain, but you don't want to drain too much, this can cause her to go into shock or heart failure.
You will want to hydrate her before you try to drain anymore. Electrolytes would be good.

When the abdomen is that bloated, then they usually won't eat much, because of the pressure on the digestive system.

Green fluid is not very good. It can be infection, but often with green fluid it would mean liver dysfunction. I notice in the poop photos the urates are yellow, do you find that to be true?

She seems a little bit improved. A lot of fluid came out of the needle puncture wound overnight. She still has a lot in her but it’s significantly less than she had before draining her.

She seems a little perkier. Even looked at her food (didn’t want it though).

I’ve been giving the water with electrolytes. Just did second dose of antibiotics.

Most of the urates look white in person. Must come across different in the photos.

Should I drain her again today?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Draining again would be up to you.

You may want to see if the antibiotics kick in and help. You are giving the Amoxicillin 2X a day correct? Dose is 57mg per pound of weight, twice a day.

Do make plain water available as well. You can try enticing her with a bit of egg, fish or meat. Some seem to have great interest in tomato or melon when they are feeling poorly too.

 

[zalena]

Draining again would be up to you.

You may want to see if the antibiotics kick in and help. You are giving the Amoxicillin 2X a day correct? Dose is 57mg per pound of weight, twice a day.

Do make plain water available as well. You can try enticing her with a bit of egg, fish or meat. Some seem to have great interest in tomato or melon when they are feeling poorly too.

Okay I will hold off draining again and will see how she responds to the Amoxicillin.

Yes, twice a day. I split 830mg pills into fourths and give one of those fourths each time. She’s skin and bones… I wonder if she even weighs 3 pounds.

I will try enticing her with the foods you listed. Hopefully she improves.

Thank you so very much for your help. I truly appreciate it!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Okay I will hold off draining again and will see how she responds to the Amoxicillin.

Yes, twice a day. I split 830mg pills into fourths and give one of those fourths each time. She’s skin and bones… I wonder if she even weighs 3 pounds.

I will try enticing her with the foods you listed. Hopefully she improves.

Thank you so very much for your help. I truly appreciate it!

Keep us posted on how she's doing.
If she's not improved in a day or so and is still filled with fluid, then draining some more may be the best course of action.

 

[zalena]

Keep us posted on how she's doing.
If she's not improved in a day or so and is still filled with fluid, then draining some more may be the best course of action.

Update: she’s been pecking at some soft food but I’m still having to give her water via syringe. Her belly is only a little water balloon-ish.

Now her urates do look a bit yellow though. Is that indicative of liver dysfunction?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: she’s been pecking at some soft food but I’m still having to give her water via syringe. Her belly is only a little water balloon-ish.

Now her urates do look a bit yellow though. Is that indicative of liver dysfunction?

Do you think she would perk up if she was near her flock or is she in too bad of shape?

Often, yellowish urates can point to liver disease. That green fluid you withdrew from the abdomen would point that direction as well.

 

[zalena]

Do you think she would perk up if she was near her flock or is she in too bad of shape?

Often, yellowish urates can point to liver disease. That green fluid you withdrew from the abdomen would point that direction as well.

She’s currently enjoying some time in the yard and made her way over next to the coop. I’m afraid the others would peck her if I let her into the run since she’s at the bottom of the pecking order. I’ll give it a go for a few minutes and see what happens.

She’s unsteady on her feet… exhaustion I’m guessing. She’s pecking at the grass a little and is probably happier being out of the hospital crate.

What can I expect with liver disease? How long might she live?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have no idea what the timeline with liver disease would be.

I'd try to let her out to chicken each day if possible. I understand sometimes weather is bad and of course time constraints/family commitments, etc. but she may improve if she can get out for some fresh air and a bit of sunshine.