Ruby’s Toe is Broken & Possible Ascites

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear this Michelle

Hopefully she will perk up a little today. I would let her with the girls in the yard and let her enjoy the grass and sunshine.
I know it's heartbreaking when they are not doing well. Did you get any images from the ultrasound?

 

[micstrachan]

Ok, last post for at least a little while. Why do I do this? I knew a week ago things weren’t looking good, but I had to try to help poor Ruby. I read stories of chickens who live to 10, 12 and even a record breaking 20! I had my first hen with a terminal illness at just 1 year and now Ruby is only 2. I don’t like these odds one bit.

 

[micstrachan]

Will she still eat unaided?

She did yesterday. A little.

 

[micstrachan]

I'm sorry to hear this Michelle

Hopefully she will perk up a little today. I would let her with the girls in the yard and let her enjoy the grass and sunshine.
I know it's heartbreaking when they are not doing well. Did you get any images from the ultrasound?

Yes, vet showed me on her phone. It was just as she originally thought. Solid matter in/around the oviduct and a pocket of fluid above/behind it that didn’t seem to want to drain to her lower abdomen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, vet showed me on her phone. It was just as she originally thought. Solid matter in/around the oviduct and a pocket of fluid above/behind it that didn’t seem to want to drain to her lower abdomen.

So something like Cystic right oviduct?
https://www.slideshare.net/VETIDEA/infectious-bronchitis-in-laying-hens-chickens

 

[micstrachan]

Last summer Ruby had a pink bulge below her vent. I’m guessing it started then. Very subtle shift from being Adventure Girl to staying just a little closer to home. Pretty sure she never resumed laying after molt. The signs were there and I knew it, but what could I have done? I guess necropsy will tell.

Edited to add: And remember her doughy crop in the fall?

 

[micstrachan]

So something like Cystic right oviduct?
https://www.slideshare.net/VETIDEA/infectious-bronchitis-in-laying-hens-chickens

Melody, yes, I think that is pretty likely at this time, though vet didn’t mention it.

 

[micstrachan]

And my flock has definitely seen very mild respiratory issues come through. Figured it was IB.

 

[Shadrach]

She did yesterday. A little.

My view is they will eat even a little unaided then I keep on trying. This may not be practicable for others.

 

[micstrachan]

Yeah, she found a sunny spot behind the run to sit and hang her head. Her only friend, Millie, is staying pretty close by. I want to dose her with detox, but she seems to be declining quickly and I don’t want to stress her out. It would kill me to have a second hen die at my hand while I was trying to help her.