sick hen, still hanging on, not sure what to do, long post

[angela120]

I need help! I’ll start by saying I’ve been raising chickens for three years now, so I’m not exactly a newbie. I haven’t had a lot of problems and losses until recently, though, so I’m still learning a lot about medical problems. My chickens are a part of my family and are often spoiled. About 6 weeks ago, I lost a hen and had no idea the cause. She was one who wouldn’t come close to me and it was hard for me to get close to her. I knew something was wrong when I caught her off by herself and she was lethargic and wouldn’t eat. She looked like she had gained weight. When I was finally able to get to her, she threw up and I noticed she was swollen. The next morning, she was dead.

Soon after, one of my favorites (who is more like a puppy, she runs up to me and I can carry her around everywhere) was starting to have similar symptoms. She was getting swollen (though not a lot at first) and lethargic. I brought her inside by herself and gave her some of my leftover amoxicillin, after doing a lot of research on the internet. I kept her separate for a while, tried the hot Epsom salt bath in case she was eggbounhd, etc. I tried a lot of things, even Vibactra, and haven’t stopped reading about anything I can find on the internet. None of the causes looked good, but I am not ready to give up.

I finally let her back with the other hens and none of them are having any problems. She would eat and run around, but still got very squishy and swollen, and worse every day. I finally took her to the vet. The vet thought I should put her down, but I knew it my heart it wasn’t time. She was doing well other than the swollen belly and though I could tell that made her miserable, I didn’t feel it was my right to decide she should be put down. The vet drained her and I knew it would probably be necessary again after my research and also the vet said so. The vet also thought her reproductive system was shot, but I can feel her trying to produce eggs so I know that isn’t the case. That was two weeks ago. I have since given her 5 rounds of Penicillin G and she seemed so much better. However, yesterday I could tell was producing an egg because I could feel it there inside, and this time it seemed harder. Now it is no longer there and I do feel squishiness where she would normally have her egg like part of an egg or maybe her trying to produce another. Now her lower belly is swollen, but this time it is hardened and not squishy. I don’t know what’s going on with her. I’m wondering if the antibiotic helped whatever was wrong but she still isn’t good enough and now her trying to have an egg is causing problems.

It sounds like periontitis but I don’t think that’s the initial cause. This first started happening about a month now and I've tried everything, and I’m not sure what to do about it. The vet had tested what they drained and said it was inconclusive. They said a blood test might be best but I don’t know if it’s worth going the distance (80 miles one way) for more inconclusive and expensive results. The drainage saved her for now, I do believe that, and I would be willing to try that on my own if I could find some needles with coupling. I just don’t know what to do. I’m afraid that her continuing to produce eggs is going to cause problems and I have no idea what to do next. She eats and still runs around with the others; her tail isn’t down and she seems okay until you feel her hardened belly. What else can I do? Culling is out of the question and I’m not raising her for eggs or for eating. I have plenty of others for that. So if culling is your thought, please refrain from saying so because it isn’t going to happen no matter what anyone thinks. I have read enough and believe enough that there's got to be something out there I can do for her. Thank you to all in advance!

 

[fried green eggs]

Hi, I haven't much experience with this but, if it is internal laying and your vet thinks she unable to lay? You can buy syringes and needles at Tractor Supply to drain the fluid. You could help shut off her system with drugs so she doesn't continue to try to produce. Here is a link that may give you some hope http://polloplayer.wordpress.com/20...nd-clucking-but-dont-read-this-before-eating/ Good Luck.

 

[gatorshark75]

I need help! I’ll start by saying I’ve been raising chickens for three years now, so I’m not exactly a newbie. I haven’t had a lot of problems and losses until recently, though, so I’m still learning a lot about medical problems. My chickens are a part of my family and are often spoiled. About 6 weeks ago, I lost a hen and had no idea the cause. She was one who wouldn’t come close to me and it was hard for me to get close to her. I knew something was wrong when I caught her off by herself and she was lethargic and wouldn’t eat. She looked like she had gained weight. When I was finally able to get to her, she threw up and I noticed she was swollen. The next morning, she was dead.

Soon after, one of my favorites (who is more like a puppy, she runs up to me and I can carry her around everywhere) was starting to have similar symptoms. She was getting swollen (though not a lot at first) and lethargic. I brought her inside by herself and gave her some of my leftover amoxicillin, after doing a lot of research on the internet. I kept her separate for a while, tried the hot Epsom salt bath in case she was eggbounhd, etc. I tried a lot of things, even Vibactra, and haven’t stopped reading about anything I can find on the internet. None of the causes looked good, but I am not ready to give up.

I finally let her back with the other hens and none of them are having any problems. She would eat and run around, but still got very squishy and swollen, and worse every day. I finally took her to the vet. The vet thought I should put her down, but I knew it my heart it wasn’t time. She was doing well other than the swollen belly and though I could tell that made her miserable, I didn’t feel it was my right to decide she should be put down. The vet drained her and I knew it would probably be necessary again after my research and also the vet said so. The vet also thought her reproductive system was shot, but I can feel her trying to produce eggs so I know that isn’t the case. That was two weeks ago. I have since given her 5 rounds of Penicillin G and she seemed so much better. However, yesterday I could tell was producing an egg because I could feel it there inside, and this time it seemed harder. Now it is no longer there and I do feel squishiness where she would normally have her egg like part of an egg or maybe her trying to produce another. Now her lower belly is swollen, but this time it is hardened and not squishy. I don’t know what’s going on with her. I’m wondering if the antibiotic helped whatever was wrong but she still isn’t good enough and now her trying to have an egg is causing problems.

It sounds like periontitis but I don’t think that’s the initial cause. This first started happening about a month now and I've tried everything, and I’m not sure what to do about it. The vet had tested what they drained and said it was inconclusive. They said a blood test might be best but I don’t know if it’s worth going the distance (80 miles one way) for more inconclusive and expensive results. The drainage saved her for now, I do believe that, and I would be willing to try that on my own if I could find some needles with coupling. I just don’t know what to do. I’m afraid that her continuing to produce eggs is going to cause problems and I have no idea what to do next. She eats and still runs around with the others; her tail isn’t down and she seems okay until you feel her hardened belly. What else can I do? Culling is out of the question and I’m not raising her for eggs or for eating. I have plenty of others for that. So if culling is your thought, please refrain from saying so because it isn’t going to happen no matter what anyone thinks. I have read enough and believe enough that there's got to be something out there I can do for her. Thank you to all in advance!

go to your local feed store and get you some tylan50 give her 1.5ml for three days and see what happens you definitely dont want the rest of the flock getting sick and as far as culling goes if your gonna own chickens you are gonna have to learn to do it sometimes and in some cases its the most humane thing to do i had to cull one of my entire flocks it was hard especially since i had raised them from eggs literally they were my first incubated flock and were my pets but they got sick myself and the vet tried to save them but when they were laying there suffering i had to do the right thing and end the suffering it was hard but i had to but hope i never have to again but i know it will be needed from time toi time

 

[gatorshark75]

Hi, I haven't much experience with this but, if it is internal laying and your vet thinks she unable to lay? You can buy syringes and needles at Tractor Supply to drain the fluid. You could help shut off her system with drugs so she doesn't continue to try to produce. Here is a link that may give you some hope http://polloplayer.wordpress.com/20...nd-clucking-but-dont-read-this-before-eating/ Good Luck.

but two chickens with the same symptoms its got to be contagious or did they get into something toxic or what its a perplexing issue and i hope you figure it out before it gets more of the flock

 

[angela120]

I understand what you're saying gatorshark75 and I agree. However, she isn't suffering. Her tail is up, she's running around, chasing bugs and worms and looks normal until you feel her. And today, she is even better but still a bit hard. Not as swollen, but not exactly normal. It would be different if she was suffering. Why take the easy way out and get rid of her? I wouldn't do that to any of my family who is sick but could be healed, so why do it to a pet? I have very strong opinions about that and the vet and I couldn't even discuss those opinions and we agreed to disagree. I feel I have other options first, and that's what I'm looking for right now.

I thought it was strange that it happened to 2 chickens, but it's been a month and all of the others are fine. It is perplexing. Even the vet was perplexed, although she had seen this and drained hens before. She was also perplexed at how well Miss Hottie is doing.

Thanks for the link, fried green eggs. That is inspirational and I do believe Miss Hottie can be saved. I'd like to shut down her hormones because I would rather her not lay and continue to have this problem. I didn't know if that was possible. Is Lupron something I have to get from the vet? My vet didn't mention it. And I've never heard of tylan50. I did give her penicillin and will look into the tylan50, but I don't want to overmedicate her either if that isn't necessary. I'm hoping the antibiotic is kicking in. I've also looked into draining her myself, but I'm not sure at this point she needs to be drained again since she isn't squishy but hard, and I'd hate to pierce something. I learned a lot by talking with the vet, and I'll call her again tomorrow. The vet let me back with her and I was able to watch the drainage and the sonogram so I feel more comfortable about dealing with what I need to do if the time comes. I am watching her closely, but am willing to try anything necessary. Going to give her another warm bath today.

Thanks again!

 

[ten chicks]

Did she have peritonitis.b/c they prognosis with this is usually not good(birds are very ill). Or could she have Ascites(water belly)which may require draining.


Here is a link for Ascites,this article refers to broiler chickens,but the same management applies to all chickens.

http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/ascites.htm

 

[angela120]

She had signs of Ascites and seemed to do better. Now she has signs of periontitis, maybe caused by her initial problem. I know the prognosis for that isn't good, but I don't think that's what her initial problem was. The vet, after doing her tests, didn't think it was heart problems or cancer. I'm wondering if she didn't have an infection or get into something and then it is causing the other problems.