Ruby is unwell :(

[micstrachan]

Ordered it. Hang in there, Ruby! I think tomorrow she will enjoy some more sunshine. Today she sat with her tail down most of the day, but did forage a bit (just plucking tender greens, no scratching) are a little feed, some sips of nutridrench, some scrambled egg and a little tuna. She drank water well this morning, but wouldn’t drink in the evening.
Ruby has a mild limp. Can a bacterial infection (in case she has one) cause a chicken to limp? Could it be because her abdomen is tender?
Ok, Ruby is in bed for the night, so I’ll check if there is someone else on the forums I can help.

 

[azygous]

It never fails, these emergencies always happen on weekends and holidays.

I know Ruby will hold on until the meds come. Just keep her hydrated and if you've never tube fed a chicken, you might want to brush up on it and find the tubing and syringe just in case.

Starvation and dehydration are what often kills a chicken before the infection can get around to doing it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-pics-for-visuals-very-detailed-post.805615/

 

[casportpony]

@KikisGirls I found Valley Vet. Thank you. It seems they only have fishmox forte. Does that matter?

The forte is 500 mg. The books I use say 56 mg per pound 2-3 times a day, my vet says twice a day, and someone else's book says 68 mg per pound twice a day.

 

[casportpony]

I have fishmox forte 250mg in my cart for Wednesday delivery (next day with a Tuesday ship). Should I get it?

Are they 250 or 500? Make sure you get enough to treat her twice a day for 7-10 days.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Know I don’t need to underline it too much, but tomorrow’s supposed to be hot in the lowlands.
Make sure she doesn’t get overheated.

 

[micstrachan]

I’ve never tube fed a chicken. I have 50cc sterile syringes (from when I thought I could drain Rusty), but no tubing. I was at a fish store today! Ugh! I think petco probably has some sort of aquarium tubing. I think I better go to the tube feeding thread.

 

[micstrachan]

I don't think I ever answered the question about the amoxicillin. It's forte, but 250mg.
My little patient isn't up yet. I think I'll let the flock out of the coop before I let Ruby out of her little crate (in my bathroom). Honestly, even if I open its door, I doubt she'll come out just yet. Depending on weather she pooped last night and if I can get fluids into her, I will probably let her enjoy some outside time again today. Yesterday she at least plucked at some tender greens when hanging out with the flock. Today I will go to Petco for aquarium tubing in case I need to tube feed her (so scared about that), and can grab some live mealworms if they aren't sold out.

 

[Kiki]

I don't think I ever answered the question about the amoxicillin. It's forte, but 250mg.
My little patient isn't up yet. I think I'll let the flock out of the coop before I let Ruby out of her little crate (in my bathroom). Honestly, even if I open its door, I doubt she'll come out just yet. Depending on weather she pooped last night and if I can get fluids into her, I will probably let her enjoy some outside time again today. Yesterday she at least plucked at some tender greens when hanging out with the flock. Today I will go to Petco for aquarium tubing in case I need to tube feed her (so scared about that), and can grab some live mealworms if they aren't sold out.

She is eating and drinking on her own correct?
I think you are stressing her out by locking her up away from her flock mates.
I see no point in taking her away from her normal home if the others are not attacking her.
Stress is bad for birds.

 

[azygous]

First see if you can get a regular feeding tube from a pharmacy with a syringe to fit it. Aquarium tubing isn't as good and you'd need to melt the end since it will have sharp edges after you cut it to fit.

I made a feeding tube out of some oxygen tubing a friend gave me who has to sleep with oxygen. It's relatively small diameter but works fine with very watery slurry I make with wheat cooked cereal and raw egg. While at Petsmart pick up some baby bird formula or you can just make your own as I just indicated.

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks @KikisGirls. Don't worry; I do understand it is stressful to keep her away from her flock. I only kept her away at night. She tried to turn in over an hour early and could not get up to the roost. Once I see how she is this morning and after it warms up a bit outside, she'll be with them. She is eating on her own, but I have not seen her drink unless I dipped her beak.

@azygous, thank you. I'll look into that. We aren't quite there yet, but I want to be prepared.