Sick hen sour crop fell forward and may have aspirated HELP

[chickadeo]

She's been very sick, multiple vet visits and still no idea what's wrong. She's also developed sour crop. She fell forward and seems to have aspirated, she's gurgling while breathing. Please help.
I know there is probably nothing we can do. I've tried calling emergency vets nearby and just waiting for calls back. Is there anything I can do???

 

[nuthatched]

Reoccurring sour crop can indicate a issue farther down, such as a reproductive issue. Just keep an eye on her, if she gets worse, be prepared to put her down.

 

[chickadeo]

Reoccurring sour crop can indicate a issue farther down, such as a reproductive issue. Just keep an eye on her, if she gets worse, be prepared to put her down.

The sour crop issue is not reoccurring, it's a recent development. We have been taking her to a vet to try and figure out what's been going on to no avail.

I'm about as prepared to put her down as I would be to put my own dog down- Which is to say not at all.

 

[chickadeo]

Sorry, mods can delete this thread. Not sure why I even posted here. Just desperate to not lose another one of my pets. I love them so much. We have tried so hard to save her. I know it's probably failure to thrive, but it isn't any less heartbreaking. I love her so much and there's nothing I can do to heal her.

Just one of those nights I'm sitting here crying wondering what I ever got myself into. I've even tried praying.

 

[nuthatched]

The sour crop issue is not reoccurring, it's a recent development. We have been taking her to a vet to try and figure out what's been going on to no avail.

I'm about as prepared to put her down as I would be to put my own dog down- Which is to say not at all.

Unfortunately, putting down animals is an awful but necessary part of owning them, especially if they're suffering. They don’t understand it. No animal deserves to suffer if the issue is incurable.

A vet can prescribe antibiotics for the aspirations.
What type of tests have the vets ran? Your birds Diet? Age?
Is she laying? Has she laid recently?
Dewormed?
How long has this been going on?
Symptoms?

 

[chickadeo]

Unfortunately, putting down animals is an awful but necessary part of owning them, especially if they're suffering. They don’t understand it. No animal deserves to suffer if the issue is incurable.

A vet can prescribe antibiotics for the aspirations.
What type of tests have the vets ran? Your birds Diet? Age?
Is she laying? Has she laid recently?
Dewormed?
How long has this been going on?
Symptoms?

I understand and you're right, I don't want her to suffer. I just mean I can't bear to do it myself. I did research vets locally and am prepared to make the call and help her over the rainbow bridge if necessary.

It's a complicated situation but I do appreciate your help. I am running on very little sleep, I have been so worried about her. This has been at least a month long issue but we've been taking her to the vet every week during this time to try and help her. She was seen by 2 vets at the clinic. We got a few different x rays, fecal float, respiratory panel, everything was negative. We got bloodwork too but it hasn't come in yet. She even had to get impacted crop surgery. I think it's just failure to thrive at this point, something one of the vets mentioned....


She somehow made it through the night. Her breathing sounds better. The gurgling sound is gone. I have no idea what to do at this point. Our vets are both on vacation for Labor Day and the vets I called cannot take her nor can they legally advise over the phone.

She's emaciated and we've been crop feeding her prescribed formula according to the vet's instructions. We've been getting her to gain about ~30g a day, so she's getting something in, but it's not enough. Her crop is emptying extremely slowly, which I understand is a symptom of whatever she has going on, but I don't know what it is right now or where to go from here. Let it empty? Then feed more formula? I want to put water back in with her but she was drinking so much it was coming out of her beak and was nearly aspirating, I figure I need to prioritize her airway so I had to pull it.

Realistically her prognosis is not good and I know this. Right now my only plan is to just let her be completely and rest.

 

[chickadeo]

Small update: I will preface this by saying I am still not optimistic about her prognosis.
HOWEVER, I am also sitting here flabbergasted. I'm stunned. I don't know what to think.
She was at the door of her crate wanting OUT, I opened it to check on her, she waltzed right out, no stumbling, and made a bee line straight for her crumble. Her breathing sounds completely clear. Her crop is significantly reduced. She seems more energetic. Her breath is still sour but that's to be expected. My husband and I were by the kitchen sink talking and she walked across the room to be near us!! She's currently walking around pecking crumble off the floor and going to all her little crumble stations. She also isn't trying to suck down immense amounts of water any more. She's even begging for treats?! (We will NOT be giving her any treats, only crumble, water, and her prescribed formula)
This is so strange. I was certain she would be dead. I will be taking this hour by hour with her. Like I said, I don't have much hope for her, but I am impressed by her resilience.


Chicken keeping is wild..!

 

[babybop11]

How is she?

 

[chickadeo]

How is she?

She unfortunately didn't make it. Her sudden upswing in her condition lasted only for the day and I believe it was what is called "terminal lucidity". She was happy though, and very loved. We brought her to the vet when her condition turned for the worst the next morning, where she was humanely euthanized. I had her necropsied and got further testing. Once I get conclusive results I'll post here. Hopefully it can help someone in the future.

 

[babybop11]

She unfortunately didn't make it. Her sudden upswing in her condition lasted only for the day and I believe it was what is called "terminal lucidity". She was happy though, and very loved. We brought her to the vet when her condition turned for the worst the next morning, where she was humanely euthanized. I had her necropsied and got further testing. Once I get conclusive results I'll post here. Hopefully it can help someone in the future.

I’m so sorry to hear that. I am currently dealing with a similar situation with my favorite girl. I would be very interested to hear about the necropsy