My Pullet Ate Too Much Grit- yes really!

[Tervuren]

Thanks from the condolences you guys <3.

I got a call back from my vet surprisingly quickly this afternoon. He said once he opened her up, he could immediately tell why she had died. Her left kidney was over 10x larger than it should be and full of tumors. She also had calcification around her heart due to kidney failure. Given her age he thought the most likely culprit is Avian Leukosis Virus (not likely Mareks due to her being vaccinated). So, no wonder poor Fancy's digestive tract wasn't working and she kept losing weight! She was on a countdown clock from the very beginning. Glad she got a few mealworms down yesterday, and passed away somewhere warm and soft. I'm going to miss this plucky, friendly little chicken. <3

 

[Chickeria]

Thanks from the condolences you guys <3.

I got a call back from my vet surprisingly quickly this afternoon. He said once he opened her up, he could immediately tell why she had died. Her left kidney was over 10x larger than it should be and full of tumors. She also had calcification around her heart due to kidney failure. Given her age he thought the most likely culprit is Avian Leukosis Virus (not likely Mareks due to her being vaccinated). So, no wonder poor Fancy's digestive tract wasn't working and she kept losing weight! She was on a countdown clock from the very beginning. Glad she got a few mealworms down yesterday, and passed away somewhere warm and soft. I'm going to miss this plucky, friendly little chicken. <3

Yes, no wonder she did have to struggle all the time, poor little girl.
I know getting the informations from the vet doesn't make the loss easier, but it helps dealing with it, stopping pondering and what if-s
Sending hugs!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I have been here trying to post multiple times but end up teary eyed. My heart breaks for you. I am so sorry. I'm not sure why exactly but you and Fancy have been on my mind a lot for the last 2.5 weeks. I was so hopeful that she'd make a full recovery. You went above and beyond trying to make her better. Even so it's pretty amazing that you got her to where she was because I imagine if it wasn't for your love and care, she would have passed away before now. I do hope that you can find comfort in that. Looking at your pictures, it's like Fancy knew that you were trying to help. My CCL hen, Luna Petunia, has been given a nickname by my 10 year old. She calls her "Luna-tic" because she acts like I'm coming to pluck her one feather at a time or remove her toenails one by one. She's extremely dramatic but she looks a lot like your beautiful Fancy. I'm so sorry for your loss. You'll be in my thoughts I hope hearing what your vet found can help you in moving forward with your flock. I believe @azygous has a hen with ALV and lost 3 pullets to it. I may be mistaken but it seems like that's what I read in her post.