My chicken is dying!!!

[HuntingChick14]

I'm going to perform surgery on her with the help of my uncle tomorrow. I'm praying that she recovers. She's so weak at this point that I think she's going to pass either way, but at least I'm trying. Does anyone know of a good place to get surgical equipment? Does like Rite Aid have anything or would Tractor Supply be better?

 

[Crooked Chicken]

I'm going to perform surgery on her with the help of my uncle tomorrow. I'm praying that she recovers. She's so weak at this point that I think she's going to pass either way, but at least I'm trying. Does anyone know of a good place to get surgical equipment? Does like Rite Aid have anything or would Tractor Supply be better?

I think I saw that a simple surgical kit was available at tractor supply, but you may be able to make do with what you have.

Here is a couple of links that explain crop surgery and has photos, etc. I wish you luck!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-crop-operation-warning-graphic-pics.21291/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...video-performed-by-vet.1149419/#post-17971363

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm going to be frank here. I think at this point, the kindest thing you can do for that chicken is put her out of her misery. Think about this. You're wanting to cut her open. Do you have any kind of anesthetic to numb her? Can you imagine how much pain she'll be in if you don't? As weak as she sounds, she's likely not to make it anyway. Why prolong that? Believe me, I know what it's like to want to save an animal. I've tried many times, and too often I've ended up just making them suffer longer for the sake of making myself feel better. Sometimes the best thing we can do for our animals is the hardest thing for us. We had to put our dog down 4 years ago. The night before, I sat with him and cried for hours. I'm an adult. Old enough that all my kids are grown up. It still hurts to lose a pet. But it had to be done because my dog didn't deserve to suffer - which he would have - if we hadn't made that decision.

 

[Blooie]

I agree totally. As much as we'd like to, we just can't save them all. And crop issues can be among those that, even when treated successfully, come back. If the crop is cleared, the infection or yeast issue is gone, there can still be some lingering damage to the crop and esophagus, and the least thing can irritate it, so the cycle starts again. I'm not saying this always happens - folks have successfully treated crop issues and the chicken never had another problem. If her issue is feather eating, though, that's a tough one to break and you may well end up right back where you started once she's back in with the flock.

I'm so sorry - not what you wanted to hear, I know. But you've tried so hard, and I would hate for you to beat yourself up if the outcome isn't what you wanted after continuing.

 

[azygous]

I'm glad you decided to try the surgery yourself. It's not complicated, and you won't even need to use sutures to close the incision. Here are instructions on how to do the surgery. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/06/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour.html

Before you try the surgery, you might be able to soften the impaction with a combination of coconut oil and stool softener. I recently had a hen with a very serious impaction and this worked for her.

What I did was to give her the oil first, massaging her crop for five minutes each time. After three infusions of coconut oil and massages, I then gave her one stool softener capsule. I waited a bit and did more massaging. Finally the mass broke up and left the crop.

If this fails, then do the surgery. It's simple, easy and effective. I'm surprised the vet didn't do any of these things. You can do much better by your hen.

 

[HuntingChick14]

I've looked up topical anesthetcis that are safe for chickens and I cant find a single one. How would I even put her down? I'm crying just thinking about it. What if she could be saved by the surgery? What if I kill her before I even take that chance? I already feel really guilty

 

[bobbi-j]

I've looked up topical anesthetcis that are safe for chickens and I cant find a single one. How would I even put her down? I'm crying just thinking about it. What if she could be saved by the surgery? What if I kill her before I even take that chance? I already feel really guilty

You are the only one that can decide what you want to do for her. You have nothing to feel guilty about, either way. (I know, I know, it's easy for me to say - it's not my chicken. But I have had to decide whether to treat or not many times over the years. It's never easy, whichever one decides.) You are doing the very best you can for your chicken and that says a lot. If you do the surgery, I give you credit for trying. If you decide to put her down, I give you credit for ending her suffering. However it turns out, please don't beat yourself up if she doesn't make it. You tried. Your dedication to your chicken is admirable. Wishing you the best. Please let us know what happens.

 

[HuntingChick14]

I'm glad you decided to try the surgery yourself. It's not complicated, and you won't even need to use sutures to close the incision. Here are instructions on how to do the surgery. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/06/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour.html

Before you try the surgery, you might be able to soften the impaction with a combination of coconut oil and stool softener. I recently had a hen with a very serious impaction and this worked for her.

What I did was to give her the oil first, massaging her crop for five minutes each time. After three infusions of coconut oil and massages, I then gave her one stool softener capsule. I waited a bit and did more massaging. Finally the mass broke up and left the crop.

If this fails, then do the surgery. It's simple, easy and effective. I'm surprised the vet didn't do any of these things. You can do much better by your hen.

How much coconut oil did you give her each time and was it in the liquid form? I'm assuming since that would make the most sense haha. And how would I feed a capsule to her?? Thank you so much for the advice!! I'm gonna hopefully try this today before the surgery tonight.

 

[azygous]

You seem to be less panicked this morning. A good night's sleep will always help. Never make a life or death decision at night under stress.

Coconut oil quickly liquifies over 70F, so just stuff it into her beak, about a teaspoon at a time. I do the same with the stool softener and all pills. If the hen has wattles, they offer a handy dandy handle to pull the beak down and open.

You will need to spend some time with massage of the crop. You will be able to feel when the mass breaks apart and softens. Offer no food, but plenty of water during this treatment.

As long as you keep your hen hydrated, there is no rush on the surgery if this oil and stool softener don't work. We'll get you through that, too, if that's what's next on the agenda.

 

[HuntingChick14]

Is there a specific brand of stool softener that I should get or does it not really matter? I'm about to go to the store to get some supplies for her. She's only about 10 or 11 weeks old, so unfortunately she doesn't have wattles yet lol! That would be pretty handy though!