Sdwd

[Serrin]

Oh lordy! I so know what you mean Cyn. FussyButt is the very last of my original flock. If she makes it through the winter [and I have no reason to think otherwise] she'll be 6 in March. She's a very special girl to me too. I don't think I could ever bring myself to force the issue with her. Ever! I'd just make her as comfortable as I possibly could, and ball my eyes out every single day until she passed. And then I'd be a complete basket case for God only knows how long. Chickens! Who knew they possessed such a wealth of personality?!?

Who knew I could become so attached to them?!?!

 

[Inkheart]

i am the same way - not sure i will be able to handle the passing of my hen Bubble!

 

[speckledhen]

Sunny will be the last one. She has no discernible issues, though she is a bit on the thin side, but she just finished her molt. No swollen abdomen, no odd behavior. In fact, I just saw her hand one of the D'Anver roosters his tail feathers on a platter yesterday. She seems okay. Could be she is the only one of the originals to just run out of eggs to lay. We can hope, anyway.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Afternoon all.....about to head out to a wrestling tournament for Colby (my youngest)

Came home today to see Louie (if you recall he is the rescue kitty from the huntin' club) with a majorly swollen face. Looks like perhaps a cyst or maybe he got into a fight with a coon or oppossum and its infected.

For those of you with animals other than chickens, any suggestions as to meds I can use/give him? He seems to be acting fine, eating, drinking, sleeping (still king of the house)....but I can tell that it bothers him.

I have a Tractor Supply close and could go get pencillin, duramycin, etc, etc.....just rather not spend $100+ at the vet

Thanks!!

 

[rancher hicks]

Yard - can't advise on the cat, but it's nice to see you again.

Rancher

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry, Scott, no idea. I used to have a page bookmarked that said what human meds you could give to what animals. Let me see if I can find it.

ETA: here it is!
http://www.diamondpaws.com/health/drugs.htm (it does give antibiotic dosages for dogs and cats, too)



Reba pooped a tiny bit of liquidy green today, so at least, that got through. I think we'll give her a massive dose of penicillin. Can't hurt, might help.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Tim.....good to see you too. I've been crazy busy with work (in Canada last week, in Fla this week), but I'm blessed to be employed again!!! No complaints

Cyn- thanks for the info....will wash it out good with peroxide tonight and get some "cillin" of some sort tomorrow to stave off any potential infection.

I already have about 20 CR babies on the ground in my grow out coop....hoping to hatch 50-60 more by Feb. So far I have 3 or 4 really nice ones from this past year, but I'm using them ALL for breeding purposes to see if any of them happen to throw exceptional chicks

Hope everyone is well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS y'all!!

 

[rancher hicks]

Scott, glad to hear your busy. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

Have some new SFH's and Birchen Maran chicks so no hatching here for a while. Dels all laying good. Looking for the best to separate for breeding.

 

[Serrin]

Scott, the very first thing you've got to do is determine the cause of the swelling. If no external punctures or abrasions are in evidence, then the problem is likely coming from inside the mouth. In that case, it may be that Louie has an abscessed tooth. And if that's the case, all of the penicillin in the world will only delay the inevitable. That being the need to remove the tooth. If left untreated, the abscess can spread to the adjoining teeth as well. This can and often does lead to the untimely demise of the cat thus afflicted.

A trip to the vet may be in the very near future for you and Louie, I think. But, he is young and very much worth saving a second time.

One question I have: How trusting of you is Louie? Can you pretty much handle him as you please? Or is he wild as a March hare when it comes to poking and prodding him? In other words, will he allow you to open his mouth easily and look inside? Maybe even use a Popsicle stick to press gently against his gum line to see if there are any especially tender places? [you'd know right away if there is, just by Louie's reaction.

] If he won't let you do any of that, then it's best to let the pro's handle it. Abscesses are no laughing matter for human or cat!

Another thought/concern I have is that you mentioned you thought that it could be a cyst. You might be able to determine that somewhat by palpating the area of swelling. Again, this is if there are no outward signs of puncture or abrasion type wounds.

Gently try to manipulate the area of swelling between thumb and forefinger. If it is a cyst, it will feel as though it is a part of his cheek tissues and not the gum. It will also feel as though it is sort of floating around in the cheek tissues, where as an abscessed tooth would be almost undetectable from the outside in its early stages. Oh yeah. Another way to determine: Check kitty's breath! If it smells rotten, then you likely have a puss with an abscess on your hands. If not,

Good luck with Louie, Scott. I hope that little bit of info helps and that your little fella is on the road to recovery soon.

Please keep us posted! And yes, been there, done that, got the T-shirt!

 

[speckledhen]

Reba is probably leaving us today. Could be wrong, she may linger another day, but doesn't look like it. She is sitting, eyes closed, won't eat (of course, why would she? It's all backing up in there). We have to go in a couple of hours. Wish she'd go before we left-family dinner won't be fun, thinking about her back here.