MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

It would be on my mind to. Most of the hens I've known die of a sickness had some reproductive tract problem. The symptoms one sees is often not the cause of death. A lot of sicknesses lead to very similar outwardly visible behaviour. Very difficult to put an exact cause to such problems with being able to scan the insides.

I'm so lucky that I can rely on the vets for this. And their skills are wonderful! Louise had a split second to observe Edie's mouth and throat and she took such a lot of information from that tiny moment. Edie was off the table, eating treats, and relaxing on the floor literally 5 seconds after having her beak looked into for a split second.

Turns out they've picked up a lot of Dr Mark's patients. He was great but everyone deserves a retirement and I'll never forget that day Mary and I had a late appointment and he was holding back tears after an emergency caesarian on a dog who was not living in a kind home.

We had two strains of coccidiosis in Catalonia. It had killed lots of chicks who were incubator hatched and back then when I saw a hen with the classic outward signs, I treated her for coccidiosis.

So many times I've thought, oh I'm feeding them wrong, but it's almost never that. The only time it was feed was when Peggy's FLHS was diagnosed.

She even perked up for a couple of days but died a few days later. Most of the deaths at the field have been EYP or related.
I've often wondered if EYP is a direct result of breeding for more eggs than nature intended.

It certainly seems to be the opposite of what natural selection would produce. Unless it's natural selection at work?

 

[MaryJanet]

It's such a poignant song. It gets me in the heart every time.

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you everyone for the hugs and comforting words

We are thinking of you.

 

[MaryJanet]

I've just had the call arranging to bring Edie home at 4.30 which is an hour fifteen from now. I presume she's not being admitted for a stay, which doesn't mean much really. They said she recovered well from the anaesthesia, which is always needed for xrays.

 

[ManueB]

Yeh. EYP is on my mind.

It would be on my mind to. Most of the hens I've known die of a sickness had some reproductive tract problem. The symptoms one sees is often not the cause of death. A lot of sicknesses lead to very similar outwardly visible behaviour. Very difficult to put an exact cause to such problems with being able to scan the insides.
We had two strains of coccidiosis in Catalonia. It had killed lots of chicks who were incubator hatched and back then when I saw a hen with the classic outward signs, I treated her for coccidiosis. She even perked up for a couple of days but died a few days later. Most of the deaths at the field have been EYP or related.
I've often wondered if EYP is a direct result of breeding for more eggs than nature intended.

I agree, especially with hens under three years old. It seems so often it's cancer or EYP, more so for production breeds, but even for other hens.
Apparently E.coli is most often the bacteria behind EYP : could it be more present and/or more resistant now that it was ?

MJ, keep us updated on Edie, I'm hoping for reassuring news. As much as I don't like antibiotics, I think they can help if EYP is caught early. She's in good hands both with you and the vet.

 

[MaryJanet]

I agree, especially with hens under three years old. It seems so often it's cancer or EYP, more so for production breeds, but even for other hens.
Apparently E.coli is most often the bacteria behind EYP : could it be more present and/or more resistant now that it was ?

MJ, keep us updated on Edie, I'm hoping for reassuring news. As much as I don't like antibiotics, I think they can help if EYP is caught early. She's in good hands both with you and the vet.

Yes, the vets are very good.

Just waiting my turn to speak to Dr Louise.

 

[MaryJanet]

We're home again and she's quite despondent.

There's no diagnosis yet because, while the images revealed something's not right, Dr Louise is consulting someone with more experience before sharing information in a phone call tomorrow morning. So we wait overnight.

She had a tiny snack of grains, half a dozen or so, and a drink. Hopefully she'll eat a little more at dinner time.

 

[ManueB]

We're home again and she's quite despondent.

There's no diagnosis yet because, while the images revealed something's not right, Dr Louise is consulting someone with more experience before sharing information in a phone call tomorrow morning. So we wait overnight.

She had a tiny snack of grains, half a dozen or so, and a drink. Hopefully she'll eat a little more at dinner time.

Urgh. While it's obviously a good thing that the vet is getting a second opinion, you must hate having to wait and seeing her like this.
I hope it's due to the anesthesia and X-ray. I've seen some of my hens be really lethargic after.

It's a rotten end of chicken year for many, isn't it.
Sending hugs for all and hoping for some reassuring news for Edie

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm making special dinners tonight and will try to keep Edie separated from her friends at dinner time.

 

[MaryJanet]

Urgh. While it's obviously a good thing that the vet is getting a second opinion, you must hate having to wait and seeing her like this.
I hope it's due to the anesthesia and X-ray. I've seen some of my hens be really lethargic after.

It's a rotten end of chicken year for many, isn't it.
Sending hugs for all and hoping for some reassuring news for Edie

I'm OK. It's all part of life. Chickens have such short lives, I consider myself lucky if I have a hen's company for a year or two.

I would prefer if she wasn't so flat, but she was anaesthetised today, so she might need a little more time before feeling herself again.

I'm delighted a second opinion on the images is being sought. It shows how thorough they are.