My girl went in for a spay this morning...

[aart]

They removed the whole oviduct but not the ovary because of its proximity to the aorta. Although my vet did say that they've been able to remove the ovary in a previous surgery but that is very rare. She currently has a birth control implant to prevent the ovary from making new yolks.

Huh, that's interesting.
Was the oviduct diseased?
Would think the implant would be enough to keep her from laying...
....how often will a new implant have to be inserted?

 

[CatBarr]

Huh, that's interesting.
Was the oviduct diseased?
Would think the implant would be enough to keep her from laying...
....how often will a new implant have to be inserted?

Good question, I don’t actually know what was wrong with her oviduct. Since she started laying about a year ago, she would become eggbound frequently. Like every few months. She was never able to get them out herself but the vet was able to assist every time. It was a chronic problem and dangerous for her every time. This time around the vet couldn’t help her get the egg out so we opted for the spay. We hope it will give her an easier life because egg laying was clearly not her calling!

The implant in this case wouldn’t have been enough. The egg that was stuck would’ve eventually imploded and from my understanding, it’s very dangerous for the girl to have that happen. The implant will be replaced yearly.

 

[aart]

This time around the vet couldn’t help her get the egg out ....

Well, that's probably the reason they removed the oviduct.
May have been some infection and/or necrosis of the tissue around the egg.

 

[Folly's place]

Wonderful story!
All the best,
Mary

 

[leighks]

Good question, I don’t actually know what was wrong with her oviduct. Since she started laying about a year ago, she would become eggbound frequently. Like every few months. She was never able to get them out herself but the vet was able to assist every time. It was a chronic problem and dangerous for her every time. This time around the vet couldn’t help her get the egg out so we opted for the spay. We hope it will give her an easier life because egg laying was clearly not her calling!

The implant in this case wouldn’t have been enough. The egg that was stuck would’ve eventually imploded and from my understanding, it’s very dangerous for the girl to have that happen. The implant will be replaced yearly.

So happy Winnie continues to do well, I love the sounds of happy chicken purrs!! YAY!!
When Willow had her oviduct removed I asked the vet about wether or not she needed the implant again. He said typically they don’t keep doing it. She will still release an egg but it will get absorbed by the body. There is a very slim chance it will cause a problem and not reabsorb, but not likely. Your vet may do it differently.
Willow does still go in the nest box a few times a week (I’m sure her implant from December has worn off by now) so I’m sure her body still gets the signal she’s ovulating. She still even sings the egg sometimes when she comes out, she’s too funny!

 

[CatBarr]

So happy Winnie continues to do well, I love the sounds of happy chicken purrs!! YAY!!
When Willow had her oviduct removed I asked the vet about wether or not she needed the implant again. He said typically they don’t keep doing it. She will still release an egg but it will get absorbed by the body. There is a very slim chance it will cause a problem and not reabsorb, but not likely. Your vet may do it differently.
Willow does still go in the nest box a few times a week (I’m sure her implant from December has worn off by now) so I’m sure her body still gets the signal she’s ovulating. She still even sings the egg sometimes when she comes out, she’s too funny!

I've actually been wondering about the implant and need to remember to ask the vet what they plan on doing at our follow-up visit. I was told they recommend yearly but I've seen other people online (and now you) say they didn't need to continue with the birth control. If she doesn't need it, I'd rather her not get it.

That's so funny about Willow! Even if she wasn't laying, Winnie would go into the box whenever Olive went in just to keep her company while Olive laid her egg. In the future, I'm sure she'll spend some time in there with Olive and when her body is a little confused!

 

[Kiki]

I've actually been wondering about the implant and need to remember to ask the vet what they plan on doing at our follow-up visit. I was told they recommend yearly but I've seen other people online (and now you) say they didn't need to continue with the birth control. If she doesn't need it, I'd rather her not get it.

That's so funny about Willow! Even if she wasn't laying, Winnie would go into the box whenever Olive went in just to keep her company while Olive laid her egg. In the future, I'm sure she'll spend some time in there with Olive and when her body is a little confused!

I think I have read, here on BYC, where the money mplant has to be done every few months.

Maybe they make different types of implants.

 

[CatBarr]

I think I have read, here on BYC, where the money mplant has to be done every few months.

Maybe they make different types of implants.

Hmm...maybe, I have no idea. This is definitely something to bring up at her follow-up next Wednesday.

 

[CatBarr]

Hi everyone! I thought I’d share some photos with you guys of Winnie’s progress. Today was her last day of meds and we have a checkup in a few days. She’s in the middle is a molt too, so she’s looking particularly small but the new feathers are coming in nicely

 

[CatBarr]

Winnie had her follow-up yesterday which was supposed to include suture removal. However, the doc said she's healing so well, some of the stitches have started to dissolve already and it actually took three of us to even find the stitches! So the vet said we could just leave them in until they dissolve since trying to pull them out would probably cause more irritation than it was worth. They got a good laugh at her molting bare tail and rear end

I asked about the birth control implant and they recommend it be changed every 6-12 months which I thought was a big range. However, one of the nurses stated that their chicken was spayed a year and a half ago but never renewed the birth control and that hen is doing very well. I guess to be on the safe side, I could get it changed yearly. I was quote $150 a year for it.

She is officially off all meds and can start having limited, monitored outside time. This is because it's cold in Seattle right now and she's missing about half of her feathers. She and Olive had an hour together last night though and were both so happy about it! So far all is looking good!