Ruby’s Toe is Broken & Possible Ascites

[micstrachan]

Will she eat any treats you offer her? Maybe see if you can boost her energy with a portion of vegetables and fruits every day. Of course you could add eggs and mealworms, whatever she wants to eat is better than eating nothing.

Yes, she ate a crazy amount of grass seed today. They all did. I like to throw seed this time of year to make the “lawn” thicker. (It’s more like mowed pasture than lawn, but works for us!) I know it’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing. They love chopped kale. Maybe I’ll prep some for tomorrow. And eggs are always a winner. My hubby just gave away two dozen without asking, though. I hope the recipients enjoy them!

 

[Kathy Golla]

Exactly, try some kale, collards, squash, carrots (grated), tomatoes, cucumbers.
Fruits I like are blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, blackberries.
I would just feed only her vs the whole flock though, to make sure she gets a healthy portion, the others don’t require it, you will drive yourself nuts being a personal chef.
Just pull her out out of sight of the others and feed her.
If she’s not eating anything, this stuff will keep her energy up.
I’ll warn you though once she gets used to you feeding her she will expect it. This should make her feel energetic though. Double edged sword.
Never easy!

 

[micstrachan]

Good morning,
I forgot to mention, the vet called yesterday to let me know they got their ultrasound machine running. She offered for me to bring Ruby in Friday free of charge, since they can’t guarantee we’ll learn more from it. Thinking I should take her up on the offer. Would you?

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Good morning,
I forgot to mention, the vet called yesterday to let me know they got their ultrasound machine running. She offered for me to Bri g aruby in Friday free of charge, since they can’t guarantee we’ll learn more from it. Thinking I should take her up on the offer. Would you?

Absolutely! You might be able to see what's going on. Maybe not, but I would take your vet up on the kind offer if I was you.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Ultrasounds are $350 at my vet, because they use a mobile company.

And and ultrasound will give the most accurate view of any masses.

GO FOR IT!

 

[micstrachan]

Called and accepted! They’ll call back with a suggested time later this morning once they speak with the doctor. It’s a win-win. They will get some practice (they haven’t used it in a couple years) and hopefully we’ll learn more about Ruby.

Left Ruby in the hospital pen within the run in hopes she’d eat some of the goodies I left her (chopped kale, hemp seeds, scrambled egg). Of course, she has feed and fresh water, too. I let the girls run around for an hour before I left for work and Ruby enjoyed it. I love having this flexible work week! I’ll have my son let her out in about an hour. The other girls really wanted at that kale!

 

[micstrachan]

Oh my! They want me to drop her off and leave her there tomorrow so they can get to her when they can. Poor Ruby! I’m going to make sure she has a great day today.

 

[micstrachan]

I left Ruby at the vet a couple hours ago so they can do the ultrasound between appointments. I suppose the rest will be good for her. Do I dare say she felt less swollen to me this morning? She’s also feeling a little skinnier across the breast since she isn’t eating much, but the avian vet said she was well muscled on Tuesday and “wasn’t really sick yet,” so I’m ok with that. Yesterday I broke down and gave her a couple treats in the afternoon (raw, shelled sunflower seeds and wheat berries), and it was nice to see a little crop bulge vs. a totally flat chest. It will be interesting to learn what the vet thinks of Ruby’s condition and whether the ultrasound reveals anything. I’ll share what we learn.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hi Michelle. Sorry about your hen, Ruby. Does the vet think think that the mass is a large lash egg mass, or a tumor? Glad they are doing a free U/S. That is a nice vet.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi Michelle. Sorry about your hen, Ruby. Does the vet think think that the mass is a large lash egg mass, or a tumor? Glad they are doing a free U/S. That is a nice vet.

She’s not sure, which is why we’re doing the ultrasound. She is hoping to shrink the mass with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics and indicated infection is more likely. She thought internally laying was unlikely, though, since she was unable to get to the fluid, so who knows?

My friend just reminded me that Ruby wasn’t feeling well awhile back. Ugh... looked back at our text string and that was the end of January.

Ruby’s body language is better than that today. I even saw her do the “stretch up on toes and flap wings” thing late yesterday afternoon.