Old age, heat, chicken menopause?? Help!!

[ClairedeLune]

I'm hoping and praying for you and Speckles.

 

[specklesmom]

Thank you all so much for the good thoughts. I will definitely try sprinkling some of the probiotic powder on any food I can get her to eat. I just made an appointment for her to see the vet on Monday. I appreciate all the concern and helpful ideas. We'll just see what happens. Thanks again.
Debby

 

[specklesmom]

Well, Monday is finally here and we see the vet late this afternoon. Speckles' crop seems improved. She has eaten a bit more, but she still seems so tired or weak. She just falls asleep on her feet. I go over and talk to her and move her corn on the cob or whatever, right in front of her and she will eat more for a while, then go back to sleep. Or at least shut her eyes.

I have to be sure from the vet about whether or not Speckles is in pain. Today is the 11th day of antibiotics, day 5 of the Reglan. I hope to know more about what to expect after seeing the vet later today. If she is just weak and tired, that is one thing. If she is hurting, without much chance of real recovery we have to face having the vet "put her to sleep".

Last night I caught 3 cicadias just as they were coming out of their shells. This morning I tore them apart (YUCK) and removed the wings and legs and anything hard. You know you are insanely crazy about your chicken when you find yourself ripping up insects. I wore vinyl gloves and kept telling myself it was no worse than pulling off the heads of shrimp or deveining them. Ha. Anyway, she liked the soft bug bits, which I thought was a good sign.

It is so sad to read the topics on this forum. So many people worried about chicks and hens who are ill or injured. Good wishes to everyone.

Debby

 

[specklesmom]

Monday afternoon the vet drained a good bit of fluid from Speckles and said that should make her more comfortable and hopefully make some progress. Tues morning she seemed better, was drinking water, but not eating. She seemed much weaker and still very lethargic. She was taking tiny sips of water, or maybe just pecking at the lettuce I put in her water bowl. She could not eat one tiny bite. I took her back to the vet around noon today and the vet said nothing else could be done that could really help her. I agreed to have her put to sleep painlessly. We buried her in the flowerbed, since she loved to get in there and dig up any new plants or scratch out all the mulch onto the lawn. We both cried and feel terrible to lose her. Every day we spent so much time running out to her pen to take her a treat, bringing her in the house for hug time, making trips to the compost pile for digging, etc. It is going to be a tremendous hole in our lives, but we both agreed we are NEVER getting another chicken. We just got too attached and losing Speckles is awful. Thanks for everyone's advice and support and good wishes to others who have chicks with health problems.

Debby

 

[Turtle]

I feel so bad for you. I also commend you for doing what is best for your dear friend and companion. I was so hoping when I read this she had come out of it.

you did the best you could.

 

[Cetawin]

I am so sorry

 

[thebritt]

Specklesmom - I am so sorry for your loss. There are some who believe that those who love us never leave, and may even come back. I know she can't be "replaced", but I also feel one can never say never!

 

[specklesmom]

Thanks so much for the kind thoughts. I just feel so very sad and I can't imagine all the things about her we will miss. My heart hurts and I physically feel like I have been beaten.

I truly appreciate everryone's understanding and empathy.

Debby

 

[jjthink]

Awww, Debby, I am so soooo sorry

It's so hard, when you have a good and caring heart. I am certain Speckles felt your love and had the invaluable comfort of knowing she was not alone in the world at her darkest time. This was the greatest gift.
Wishing you peace, JJ