Naked Neck with Bowel Troubles [Graphic Descriptions] *UPDATE* PHOTO

[JakRat]

Checking in to see how things are going today!

 

[Breac]

Quote:
Thank you! Although she is no longer constipated and is now going at a regular frequency, Iris' droppings still reek beyond measure. This bird may be banned by the Geneva Protocol. I've just bought a few containers of Activia, since I was stopping by the Grocery Store anyways. I don't know how effective it will be, but it's worth a shot.

 

[Breac]

Giving another quick update!

Although the smell and consistency of her droppings has improved, I found another scab/ring of hardened droppings on her vent tonight. As I removed it, I noticed the inside of the ring was a creamy yellow color. Her vent was bleeding, so I put a lot of Neosporin on the area. I'm beginning to wonder if the problem has less to do with a parasite/bacterical problem than some sort of internal one (or possibly a mix of both!)

As always, any insight is sorely welcomed!

 

[Breac]

I really hate to 'gravedig' an old thread, but Iris is still having trouble and she seems a little worse for wear. So far, nothing I've done has been any help and I still have no real clue as to what caused her problems and if there's a way to permanently fix it.

As a small update: She is maintaining her weight and eating and drinking as normal. She is mostly as active as she used to be, but does spend more time huddled on the roosts under the heat lamp, which has me worried. Right now, the only 'treatment' she is getting is when I remove the scabs/hardened poop from her vent area and apply Neosporin. Unfortunately, she bleeds every time I do this. I don't want to hurt her, but if I don't remove the blockage, she can't poo.

Is there anyone who can give me some help? Iris is one of my special girls and I don't want to loose her just yet.

 

[CMV]

Have you tried soaking her in a bath before removing the feces and scabs? That will minimize the trauma to the area. I am also wondering if there is not something you can put on her to protect the skin integrity and maybe aid in healing the scabs and prevent more scabs from forming due to ammonia burns. I am wondering if Desitin Diaper ointment or A&D ointment might help. Anyone with kids in diapers knows how incredible these products are. The Desitin is even better than A&D, but I would be worried that the bright white coloring might be too tempting for other birds to resist and they may get overdosed on zinc should they start pecking at it. (I wonder if you could mix some gentian violet into the Desitin to tone down the color.) A&D is clear and shouldn't be too noticeable to the others. So, I would try using it each night on her vent area as a skin barrier.

That's all I can really think of to aid in her problems. Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck with her.

 

[JakRat]

Also have you tried that epsom salt flush? I did it one day on my girls, and they definitely got runny! They are still having weird bowl movements, but they dont seem to have any real issues.

It wouldnt hurt to try right?

Would you be able to post any pictures? This might help.

 

[Breac]

Have you tried soaking her in a bath before removing the feces and scabs? That will minimize the trauma to the area. I am also wondering if there is not something you can put on her to protect the skin integrity and maybe aid in healing the scabs and prevent more scabs from forming due to ammonia burns. I am wondering if Desitin Diaper ointment or A&D ointment might help. Anyone with kids in diapers knows how incredible these products are. The Desitin is even better than A&D, but I would be worried that the bright white coloring might be too tempting for other birds to resist and they may get overdosed on zinc should they start pecking at it. (I wonder if you could mix some gentian violet into the Desitin to tone down the color.) A&D is clear and shouldn't be too noticeable to the others. So, I would try using it each night on her vent area as a skin barrier.

That's all I can really think of to aid in her problems. Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck with her.

Also have you tried that epsom salt flush? I did it one day on my girls, and they definitely got runny! They are still having weird bowl movements, but they dont seem to have any real issues.

It wouldnt hurt to try right?

Would you be able to post any pictures? This might help.

Thank you both so much for your replies! I will go and get both ointments ASAP! As for the Epsom salt flush, I will have to give that a try! I will take some pictures tomorrow and hopefully have them up soon!

 

[Breac]

Little update: I got the Desitin and I'm going to start trying it tomorrow. Iris is doing about the same, but I managed to get a photo of her vent.

This is what I'm dealing with every day. I try to keep the feathers around the area trimmed as well to prevent them from getting matted.

 

[JakRat]

yikes!!!!

Do you think this might be vent gleet???

http://www.urban-chickens.com/index.php?/topic/1772-vent-gleet/

poor baby!!

Maybe a different wormer?

I am at such a loss and it makes me feel bad

I have issues with my girls right now so I know your stress and you pain if it helps... just got meds for gapeworm, and just noticed that one of my babies has a sour crop... stress.

 

[Breac]

yikes!!!!

Do you think this might be vent gleet???

http://www.urban-chickens.com/index.php?/topic/1772-vent-gleet/

poor baby!!

Maybe a different wormer?

I am at such a loss and it makes me feel bad

I have issues with my girls right now so I know your stress and you pain if it helps... just got meds for gapeworm, and just noticed that one of my babies has a sour crop... stress.

Wow, it sounds exactly like that! A fungal infection would make sense; I tried antibiotics with limited success. I will definitely have to look into Vent Gleet. Thank you so much for your help!