MJ's little flock

[micstrachan]

Peggy's intestines and heart have been pushed out of place inside her torso. By a mass. Mark won't know exactly what the mass is until he sees it. It could be a tumour, it could be an infected uterus. He can't assess her chances without opening her up.

So she's home for the weekend and is delighted!! She's already ripped out a beakful of Mary's feathers and had flappy chest bumps with Janet. Ivy is mildly traumatised.

I'm taking her back for her op on Monday. If Mark finds her case is hopeless, they'll put her to sleep then and there.

The xrays were fascinating. He showed me an xray of healthy intestines and the difference was astounding.

I mentioned Ivy. She's on the turn for another broody stretch. She went into a short trance today and did a broody poop. Now she's tukking and puffing herself up.

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Anyway, sorry for dumping all that info.

Oh, noooo... Peggy! I am hoping to read a good outcome as I catch up.

 

[micstrachan]

I love Pentatonix...they are so amazing!!!

Me, too!

 

[MaryJanet]

"These brakes are......perfectly fine actually."

 

[micstrachan]

It's good news everybody, good news!!

I don't have details because the receptionist who called me didn't really know, but I'm picking her up at 4.30 and will have a thorough chat with Mark.

Peggy lives on!!!!

The little grumpy bum

Awww!!!! I’ve been frantically reading through to find out. Oh goodness, this put a lump in my throat and my eyes are misty. I’ll need to learn about Peggy’s personality, but I am thrilled it’s good news!

 

[micstrachan]

View attachment 2415413

"These brakes are......perfectly fine actually."

... full of tasty bugs?

 

[micstrachan]

I’d like to dedicate this sunset to Peggy.

View attachment 2413134

What a gorgeous Peggy sunset!

 

[micstrachan]

She's got hepatic lipidosis.

Probably the others have it too but not as advanced. So it's higher protein and low fat from here. Also, I have to give Peggy Clavulox drops for a week, which is scary because it's an oral dose. I'll borrow a headlamp and do it at night. Dazzling her with the headlamp might just work in my favour.

I've attached the list of supplements which are to be added to the hens' diet for week. And they have to switch to a pellet called Champion Layer which has higher protein than Golden Yolk.

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I am amazed you were able to get this diagnosed. Thank you for sharing. This (fatty liver) is precisely what killed Bagheera, whose liver hemorrhaged. I’m so glad you found it before it’s too late.

 

[micstrachan]

Friends, I have a question.

Tonight I have to give her Clavulox drops. It's my first time giving medicine to a chicken. It came with a regulated dropper so I'll be ok to draw the correct dose. There are lots of videos online but which are the most instructive and reliable? Also, do you have any advice or tips?

I've got a headlamp ready to go.

Sorry I missed this, MJ. How did it go? Wrapping in a towel helps. What volume are you administering? With small volumes, I usually put it under the tongue.

 

[micstrachan]

I've never had to medicate a chicken directly, but I have had to medicate many other animals.

The easiest way I found, if you can, is to use a bit of bread or other tasty treat to get her to eat the medication. I had a horse who refused ALL oral meds. He was also well over 16h tall and could raise his head almost 8 feet in the air. In order to worm him or give any other medication, I made him a PBJ sandwich.

Obviously Peggy is MUCH smaller, so she might only need a bit of tuna or a cracker to take her medication. I know she has some restrictions now, but I still feel that is much safer then trying to get liquid down a twitchy bird throat.

This (bread) is how I got Margo to readily take meds from my neighbor in my absence. Crushed the pill, mixed with a tiny bit of water, and soaked up with a little bread. Not all of my birds would go for this, but I was lucky Margo liked bread. Looking forward to finding out how this went.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I've been off line for 3 days and have been frantically catching up.

It's good news everybody, good news!!

I don't have details because the receptionist who called me didn't really know, but I'm picking her up at 4.30 and will have a thorough chat with Mark.

Peggy lives on!!!!

The little grumpy bum

Such wonderful news!

To be honest I wasn't holding out much hope. I've never been so pleased to be wrong. Well done MJ, Peggy and Vet Mark.

I’d like to dedicate this sunset to Peggy.

View attachment 2413134

What a lovely thought Lozzy, and a lovely sunset.

It's been quite a journey.

From low appetite to a week under observation, to xrays showing intestines all over, to a weekend at home, to a laparotomy, to confirmed diagnosis, and finally treatment.

I'm exhausted.

And we're not done yet! Stitches out next week.

You've been a champion MJ. I almost wish I was your chicken!

@CrazyChookChookLady @Shadrach @RoyalChick

I put the drops on a pinch of cheese and she scoffed it down

Yay!

I feel like I’ve completely missed something, but I’m very behind on Bob and Ribh’s pages, so maybe it will make sense when
I catch up.

Me too Lozzy, me too...