Molting, Losing Weight, Lethargic *pic*

[BugStalker]

I would give it more time before surgery. (I am more comfortable with baking soda tubing, myself, but surgery has the advantage of being able to see in and remove all solids.) It is probably caused by inflammation from the infection.

I don't know of something to give until the Baytril arrives, but I sometimes give a tea with tumeric, which is apparently the main medicinal part of chicken soup, and offer garlic fresh, dried, and garlic water. They can get too much garlic, and it would take a lot to fight this kind of infection, but it might be better than nothing, short term. I also sometimes use a little echinacea or goldenseal for up to 3 days. Maybe some anti-inflammatory food she can eat would improve her digestion a little, but the main thing is to get rid of the infection.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks again. I've heard parsley can help, too. I was actually thinking of giving her broth just to see if I can get something in her.

Imma keep at it. Stupid USPS...

 

[BugStalker]

It may help the bird's immune system to help the liver deal with toxins from the infection. This product is supposed to be good for that: https://lilyofthedesert.com/product/aloe-herbal-detox-formula/#tab-supplement-facts
Aloe spoils easily, so it may not be best for a slow crop, but I often try some of the other ingredients, like fresh red clover or dandelion.
A taxed liver may make the normally white urates on top of the bird's droppings become more yellow. Just a thought.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks for all the support, folks. This hasn't been fun.

Mags is still hanging in there. I got her crop issue solved. The medistatin worked beautifully syringed into her beak in a suspension. Her crop was completely empty this morning. One small victory, but the war rages on....

She hasn't been eating much. In fact, her appetite seems to have decreased since her sour crop is gone. I did get her to eat some mash of chick crumble and water (with some added electrolytes). I also got her to eat some scrambled egg and plain yogurt.

Tonight, her crop is empty again because she only ate a couple of teaspoons of food all day, do I syringe fed her some NutriDrench and some baby food (green beans and kale). She has been drinking. The diarrhea is persistent.

Baytril arrives tomorrow... I hope it helps. I found a chicken vet not too far from here. That's my next step. They weren't open today, but I'll contact them tomorrow.

 

[BugStalker]

The yogurt and vitamins may help tomorrow's appetite. It may have decreased because the last bit of soured material is going through. I often notice appetites decrease at that point. Warm food may be more appealing. Sometimes meds also decrease appetite, either as a side effect, or I expect by affecting their taste. For the short term, they just need to eat enough to keep pooping.

You're taking great care of her.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Magnolia died this morning while I was asleep.

The antibiotics are out for delivery.

I don't honestly know what to do with her body.

 

[LaFleche]

Magnolia died this morning while I was asleep.

The antibiotics are out for delivery.

I don't honestly know what to do with her body.

I am very sorry you lost her.

Maybe you could send her in for necropsy if this is an option for you. At least you would know for sure that there was nothing more you could have done to save her.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you. I'm so sad and frustrated. And I kind of want to send her for necropsy, but I my printer isn't working.

What do people do when their pet chickens die? Where do they put them? Do they bury them?

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you. I'm so sad and frustrated. And I kind of want to send her for necropsy, but I my printer isn't working.

What do people do when their pet chickens die? Where do they put them? Do they bury them?

You could just write the necessary letter by hand if your printer does not work, just in case you want this necropsy done.

Or just bury her in a place (maybe your garden) no wild animals will be able to dig her up. Maybe put a large stone on top of her grave.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I decided I'm sending her for a necropsy. I will take her first thing tomorrow (her body is refrigerated, and the lab says up to 48 hours after death is ok if refrigerated). I'm pretty sure it was something like cancer or a reproductive disorder because she had no signs of any of the bad infectious stuff. But I'd like to know what it was so that if any of the remaining 9 start showing similar symptoms I'll at least know what it is and how to treat it (or not treat it).

Now her best buddy, Jessamine, is feeling alone, and the pecking order is resetting a bit.

Sad say in my house. Poor girl. She was a good little chicken.