How did the vet make his/her determination?
I had a wonderful hen Betty with this problem. For a while antibiotics and anti-inflammatories helped her enjoy life. She would bounce back after a round of this stuff. Eventually they didn't work and she declined. I kept trying to find help for her but she got very weak despite employing different protocols. She and her roo friend were so bonded, so totally head over heels for each other that I was willing to try anything to save her for him. He never left her side and he worried for her terribly. Eventually had a hysterectomy done on her but sadly she died 2 hours after surgery, even though afterward the vet said she was standing and awake. Many birds do well after this procedure. Betty had too much infection - the vet said her body was literally festering with rotten eggs. So sad what happens to hens with this problem. If Betty had had this procedure early on she probably would have been fine but x-rays taken earlier on did not reveal the problem so we were thrown off. In retrospect, I think she must really have been suffering once her comb went pale and she laid around all day - tried different protocols during this time including from U of PA but to no avail. I was and still am very sad that she died alone in the hospital without her buddy roo. I wish they would have let him be with her in the cage - I asked and they said no. She was terrified of the vets and he would have been such a comfort to her. I would not have wanted her to die even more slowly at home but I am haunted by the fact that she died alone and scared. Sorry to provide a less than optimistic note but in case it helps inform....
JJ
