Sick Chicken - question

[KrissyRae]

Hi, I have a Buff Orpington hen about 4 years old, named Miss Skeeter. About a month ago I noticed Miss Skeeter was limping - one foot looking rather paralyzed for lack of a better term. A more experienced chicken person told me to separate her from the flock to allow for healing if there happen to be an injury.
Well a week later she was still the same and not eating or drinking much.
My moto so to speak is if I am going to have an animal in my care that has something wrong with it I need to be prepared to take them to the vet or euthanize humanly. I can't do the later so off to the vet we went.
The vet did a number of reflex type tests and took some fluid from her chest (it looked a bit like chicken broth to be honest). His "diagnosis" was that she likely had a tumor and the tumor was near or on one of her kidneys which he also said the sciatic nerve which was causing her foot/leg to be compromised.
He gave me a couple of options - euthanize that day or in consideration of my granddaughter and taking advantage of a potential learning opportunity the vet sent me home with some pain meds for Miss Skeeter. He said she had about 2 weeks to live and that she was not in pain but to not let her be with the rest of the flock.
Any hoots... it's been 3 weeks and there is no change - she actually seems like she might be a little better. She is still separated, I take her outside alone almost every day... she hops around the best she can and eats as many bugs and worms as possible. Then I bring her back inside (she is in the bathroom as I am afraid of predators outside overnight).
What do you all think?
Any advise?
Love,
Miss Skeeter and Me

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does Miss Skeeter lay eggs?

Feel her abdomen below the vent between her legs - any swelling, bloat or fluid?

Not sure what to make of it all.

I would be inclined to make sure the crop is emptying overnight. If it's not, then I would begin treating for that https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Limping can be from a number of things. With her age, I would suspect that she's beginning to have some reproductive issues. Could be EYP, cancer, tumors, etc. anything that could be causing pressure on the nerves. Sometimes with supportive care a hen can do o.k. for a while.

 

[KrissyRae]

Does Miss Skeeter lay eggs?

Feel her abdomen below the vent between her legs - any swelling, bloat or fluid?

Not sure what to make of it all.

I would be inclined to make sure the crop is emptying overnight. If it's not, then I would begin treating for that https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Limping can be from a number of things. With her age, I would suspect that she's beginning to have some reproductive issues. Could be EYP, cancer, tumors, etc. anything that could be causing pressure on the nerves. Sometimes with supportive care a hen can do o.k. for a while.

Thank you so much for those recommendations and resources. I will definitely be investigating further. She is so happy and other that her hopping method seems totally normal when she is outside doing what chickens do. I dare not have her with any of her flock mates.... one full on tried to attack her all puffed up, feet first, wings a flappin, and making all kinds of noise. Considering how much it traumatized me, I am sure it scared the crap out of her.