Ruby’s Toe is Broken & Possible Ascites

[Aunt Angus]

I've been out of it, Michelle, and missed this whole thread. I just read it from beginning to end, and I am so sad for you and Ruby. You are such a good chicken mama. I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you.
Much love and hugs your way...

 

[Aunt Angus]

Is it going to rain in your neck of the woods tomorrow in Santa Cruz area? It's supposed to get pretty wet here in the Sacramento Valley. But a warmish rain.

 

[micstrachan]

Thank you. It’s expected to get down to 44° tonight. Tomorrow we’re expecting a high of 59°. I set up the carrier inside the little red coop so she can go in and out as she pleases tomorrow. As of right now, there is a heating pad in there, but that could change. It only takes up the back half of the carrier. A couple times later in the day today (when it started cooling off), I made her go in there and warm up for a bit. It seemed to charge her up, at least temporarily. I’m leaning toward letting her have it. She doesn’t have to use it if she doesn’t want to. Sometimes I forget to follow my own advice. Offering heat is usually the first advice I give for a really sick bird.

 

[micstrachan]

I've been out of it, Michelle, and missed this whole thread. I just read it from beginning to end, and I am so sad for you and Ruby. You are such a good chicken mama. I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you.
Much love and hugs your way...

Aww... thanks so much. Yeah, pretty heartbroken here.

 

[Aunt Angus]

 

[micstrachan]

Is it going to rain in your neck of the woods tomorrow in Santa Cruz area? It's supposed to get pretty wet here in the Sacramento Valley. But a warmish rain.

Yes, 100% chance of rain later in the afternoon. However, it has shifted a few hours since I last checked. Pretty sure earlier it said 100% at noon. And it will be a warmish rain here, too.

 

[micstrachan]

It’s been a very busy work day. Ruby didn’t do so well yesterday, but was pretty good first thing this morning. I confined her for a couple hours so she’d have a chance to eat her treats (sardines, microgreens, corn, brown rice, grated carrot) before everyone else gobbled it up. Of course, she had access to fresh water and feed as well. When I left, she had climbed up into the minicoop with her face in a corner and had not touched anything. My husband said when he let her out of jail, she did come out and was “fine.” It’s raining and I’m still down the hill at work. Will head home in a little bit and check on her. I really, really want her to eat on her own, as I’m afraid to tube feed her (though I have the supplies.)

 

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
This week is kicking my booty and we have a board meeting Thursday night. Sorry I haven’t been able to help too much.

Ruby had a relatively good day. When I got home from work, she greeted me at the gate with her flock, and when I let them out, she ran across the yard just like the other girls. Her body language was better than the past couple days. She still doesn’t seem to be eating feed, but definitely ate some seeds and greens. She’s been roosting in her normal spot, too. Unfortunately, Lucky roosts RIGHT beside her and was a stinky mess since I applied Nu Stock to her feet (Lucky has a brutal case of scaly leg mites.)

Oops. Posted too soon. Falling asleep! Ruby’s back end is soiled, but I don’t want to wet her. May trim some feathers in the morning.

Alright. I gotta go to bed.

 

[micstrachan]

This morning Ruby definitely felt less swollen, but she is also dropping muscle weight. I sprinkled some millet and microgreens around the run in hopes it would stimulate her appetite. When I left, I could see her pecking at the ground where I had spilled some feed. Fingers crossed she was actually eating it.

 

[micstrachan]

On another note, I did lots of reading on salpingitis last night. I think she has caseus exudate hanging out in her abdomen or oviduct. I wish their bodies could somehow reabsorb this stuff.

The vet’s hope was that we could stop the inflammation with the antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and by shutting down her hormones. She thought we might even be able to shrink the mass, too.

I am aware long term prognosis still isn’t good, but I’d like for her to have some more quality of life before she goes.

I have also been direct dosing her with 4mL of the aloe detox for the past few days. It seems to be a factor in her progress. Thanks to @Wyorp Rock for sharing the link to @coach723 post and to @Hen Pen Jem for your detailed help with the supportive care. Thanks @casportpony for your help with meds and thanks to everyone for your moral support.