NEED HELP! Advised to put down sick BR!!!

[julietma]

Great news!!!

I took TepTep to the vet and he found she had a terrible bird lice infestation. He said he was sure that was her worst problem, that everything else was coming from the severe malnutrition and anemia brought on by the lice. But he said that because she is alert enough to eat from my hand, she can recover with love, care, and lots of de-lousing.

He gave her a shot of ivermectin and sprayed her with de-lousing medicine that smells like perfume from the depths of hell.

When I got her home I gave her some whole wheat spaghetti with yogurt, and water with vitamin & electrolytes. I bedded her down in a thoroughly uncomfortable-looking box with just newspaper and dusted her with generously with diatomaceous earth (where can I get more?). I set the box on my heating pad.

She did eat and drink, and I'm just going to check on her this morning. This afternoon we will throw out all the bedding from both dog houses, clean them with bleach and spray them with a surface pesticide (blech!). We'll also spray the other hens for lice.

I can't help but imagine that THIS is why they have not started laying yet. Once the parasites get under control I'm sure they'll be much better off. Here are the icons my daughter has picked to express our feelings this morning:

 

[chicknmania]

Great news

The cheapest place I have found to get DE (Diatomaceous Earth) is hoegger goat supply www.hoeggergoatsupply.com.

 

[chickbea]

I hadn't checked in on this thread in a couple of days because I thought it would be bad news, but

! Yay! I love a good ending!
If you have a heavy parasite infestation, that certainly is the most likely reason they aren't laying for you. Parasites can suck (literally!) a lot of energy from a bird, leaving nothing left for "extras" like laying eggs and putting on weight. Once you get that under control you should see a great improvement!
Didn't you say she was a rescue hen? She probably came to you infested...

 

[julietma]

Tep-Tep died this morning.

I'm pretty sure it was Marek's. You can read the whole story on my blog: http://julietma.livejournal.com

I'm just wondering what happens now?

I called rodent control to pick up her body.

Are my other chickens going to die now too? Assuming they've all been exposed, will they ever lay?

How can I possibly bring more chickens into my flock if mine probably carry Marek's, and who knows what the new ones will bring? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and just very, very sad.

I have to go get my daughter and tell her the news. I'm really not looking forward to it.

Rodent Control has 24 hours to pick up Tep-Tep. Part of me wants to make up a story for my daughter about how the chicken fairy is going to come get the body. I cried an ocean or two this morning after she died, then I was able to get through the next few hours. But the prospect of telling my daughter and knowing how sad she'll be is just killing me.

Any suggestions?

 

[kinnip]

I'm so sorry. Clearly Tep-Tep will be missed. I know it doesn't help that she had a hard life, but the love and family you gave her are what really matters. Tell your daughter the truth and tell her that her love for Tep-Tep is what makes O.K. Nothing and no one is forever, but if our memory outlives us even by a little while, we've ended well. Tep-Tep has given you the opportunity to learn the love of chickens and hopefully inspired you bring more feathered love into your home. You may think you want to stop, but once you've experienced the joy of chickens, you can't go back. You'll be in my thoughts.

 

[julietma]

Thanks for your kind words. I did end up telling my daughter straight out that Tep-Tep had died, and how it happened. She took it amazingly well, actually. Much better than I did (but then, I was there; it's different).

I'm feeling a little paranoid, though, about my other birds. My banty is of unknown origin. She was already a couple of months old when I got her and I have no idea if she was vaxxed for Marek's. I can find out about the two remaining Barred Rocks. Any little thing sets me worrying at this point. Yesterday my banty was kind of squeeking in the yard and I immediately thought, Oh no! She's getting sick!

Is there any way to tell for sure?

Thanks

 

[kinnip]

I don't think there's a way tell without blood work, but if they were exposed you'd know by now. I read back through your posts and your blog. It just doesn't sound like Marek's to me. The progression should have been far more rapid. Also out of place is the heat in the hocks. Paralysis from Marek's causes a very specific posture, one leg forward, one leg back, like she's doing the splits.
You mentioned arthritis and think this notion holds some water. There's a disease called staphylococcic arthritis. It's not usually fatal, but in a bird who has had a rough life, it surely could be. It would explain the heat in the hock and the slow progression. Staph is also what causes bumblefoot which is very common. That or some other open wound is likely how it started, probably before you ever took her in. Keep everyone clean (I think you've got that one down pat), and make sure injuries are tended to promptly and your other birds should be fine.
Most importantly-- STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR CHICKENS! You've done a very sweet thing by taking them in. Folks always say that, but never point out why. It's because things like this happen to rescue animals all the time. Someone finally comes along to love them and care for them in the way they should have been cared for all along, and suddenly all that emotional investment turns into pain. If I could give you a big hug, I would, you deserve it. Good for you for being honest with your daughter. As adults, I think we forget that kids don't have the preconceptions and fears we do.
Keep us posted on your other birds, especially when you get more (you know you want more

).

 

[buck-wild-chick]

Sorry for your loss

 

[julietma]

I posted some photos of my banty's legs on LJ, and was given a decisive chorus of scaly leg mites (I'm so tired, not sure if I have the name right). So I'm treating them all with vaseline and essential oils of lavender, clove and thieves.

I do want more, it's true. I'll give it a little while, but I think I want to get some Ameraucanas.

Thanks for the encouragement.