Lethargy, diarrhea - what else can I do?

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Okay, now that I have her out she doesn’t seem very alert. She’s not able to stand well. I’m worried she won’t make it. Called the vet back but unsure if there’s anything they’d be able to do.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh I am sorry that she is doing so poorly this am. Does she have any fullness or blueness to her lower belly between her legs? I lost my d’uccle last year to ascites (water belly) that she suddenly developed. She has those symptoms, and had labored breathing until I drained some of the fluid.

I would still try to give her fluids (water with a little sugar or electrolytes) if she is awake enough. If you have a small piece of aquarium air tubing or other plastic tubing that will fit onto a syringe, you can tube feed fluids, egg, and yogurt. In the link above the tubing is placed on top and down the right side of the tongue down (where the syringe is) into the crop. Here is a video of tube feeding a chicken:

If you should lose her, and want to find out what the illness was, your state vet can perform a necropsy and testing. This list has state vets to contact:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Oh I am sorry that she is doing so poorly this am. Does she have any fullness or blueness to her lower belly between her legs? I lost my d’uccle last year to ascites (water belly) that she suddenly developed. She has those symptoms, and had labored breathing until I drained some of the fluid.

I would still try to give her fluids (water with a little sugar or electrolytes) if she is awake enough. If you have a small piece of aquarium air tubing or other plastic tubing that will fit onto a syringe, you can tube feed fluids, egg, and yogurt. In the link above the tubing is placed on top and down the right side of the tongue down (where the syringe is) into the crop. Here is a video of tube feeding a chicken:

If you should lose her, and want to find out what the illness was, your state vet can perform a necropsy and testing. This list has state vets to contact:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Thank you so much for your support. I’m feeling so helpless and devastated now. I thought she was feeling off for awhile but her stool was normal and she was (and still is) going through a molt. No fluid in her belly whatsoever and she hasn’t been laying. We have had a similar issue sweep through the flock, they’re vaccinated for Marek’s but the vet thought maybe Leukosis. The others have all mostly recovered except for our Ameraucana mix who is on a second course of antibiotics now. I am so meticulous with their environment and it’s been such a tough few months of not knowing. I will definitely do the necropsy if she passes. I’m trying to stay optimistic but watching her now and it’s clear she feels horrible. I just love her so much and don’t want to see her in pain.

We got a small fecal sample this morning and my spouse is taking it into the vet now, hoping it’s enough. Would you recommend direct dosing with Corid at this time? I need to find the dosing for her weight, she’s just over a pound. Her stool remains the same, mostly liquid/urates. She’s still on day 2 of Clavamox.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Back at the vet now. Called them and they said bring her in. I’m just waiting in the parking lot for the intake call, I can’t go back with her. So scared she’ll pass here.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Update: she passed at the vet overnight. This is our first true loss from our flock and it’s just shocking. We loved her so much. It felt like it came on so suddenly but I know they hide illness so well. I’m getting all of the other girls into a vet ASAP just in case and for peace of mind. I’m so heartbroken. I’m taking her down for a necropsy in the morning and will update this thread with cause of death in case it helps anyone in the future.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss. I hope that you can get some answers. Your state vet can be very good at finding a cause of death with a necropsy, if you take the chilled body into them.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

So sorry for your loss. I hope that you can get some answers. Your state vet can be very good at finding a cause of death with a necropsy, if you take the chilled body into them.

Thank you for your help in this thread. It’s been a rough day. I saved her feathers I found to make something with eventually, I know the vet plucked a few too. She was a beautiful, hilarious girl and will be missed.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

@Eggcessive We got the preliminary pathology report back, still waiting on further histopathology results. Not sure what to make of it, probably a number of things that could cause this.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I know fatty liver is common in backyard hens, but I’ve been super careful and don’t see any indicator of that on the report.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I am so sorry for your loss. Who'd think the love we feel for our birds. I am heart broken for you. It seems like it's always the favorites. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that she was lucky enough to be yours. Elsewhere her life wouldn't have been filled with love. You tried everything you could but sometimes no matter what, we still lose them.

I would think the liver itself would have been noteworthy if it was fatty liver, but please know that I am not educated in necropsy reports so I'm only thinking out loud. The clots are certainly a huge factor. I'm almost certain I lost a hen to FLD. The time from signs of trouble to death was really fast with my hen. I'm glad you had a necropsy done because it's helpful to know, especially if you have other birds. I feel like it can offer some closure after a loss, in my personal opinion. I hope you'll share the histopathology report whenever you receive it.

You're in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you the best with your flock and family