Sour crop in little chick??

[1dog1cat6chicks]

Yes, we do fear she's eaten pine shavings. We have since removed the pine bedding and are using newspapers with a layer of paper towels on top. Of course, if this chick makes it, will she continue to eat the pine shavings in the future? We obviously can't use paper towels forever!

ten chicks, the crop--according to my hubby and daughter--feels 'watery', with some stuff in it; but mostly watery this morning. We have added grit to the food, but that hasn't helped thus far.

I may call a nearby vet, see if they even see chickens....

 

[ten chicks]

If you cannot locate a vet that will see her,i would try the crop bra mentioned in article,once the crop becomes so enlarged and starts to hang at bit(pendulous)the food cannot travel so it just stays put and starts to ferment. The purpose of the crop bra is to support/lift crop enough for food to start making its way through digestive system,where it ends up in gizzard(this is where the grit is stored) to be ground up for digestion.

 

[1dog1cat6chicks]

Very interesting about the crop bra. I have called one vet, and they referred me to another who DOES see birds. Will have to call to see if they see chickens.

Thanks to everyone, so far, who has tried to help us. We're very worried about Pearl, and hope we don't lose her.

 

[1dog1cat6chicks]

I called the other vet, and they said they don't 'normally' see chickens. The tech will talk to the vet and see if they can see Pearl. She told me to call Agway in the meantime, see if they have anything OTC for 'sour crop'. Agway was no help whatsoever.

So, waiting for the vet's office to call back.

 

[Tricoglossus]

Good luck, I really hope you can find a vet that will see her.

 

[1dog1cat6chicks]

So far the vet hasn't called back.

We managed to get some olive oil into her, and then I sat and massaged her crop for about 10 minutes. I hope this helps. Should we repeat this process? When I put her back into the brooder box, I removed the food. How much olive oil should we be giving--and how long to massage? We used an eye dropper, and got a fair amount into her--maybe 1/4 teaspoon, and I am totally guessing on that amount.

 

[1dog1cat6chicks]

Another day, and no call from the vet. I guess that means they won't see her.

Yesterday we were able to get a bunch of olive oil into her, and last night my husband massaged the crop for a LONG time--maybe 45 minutes. It is still huge today.

We are going to have to make a decision soon, how long can she go on like this?? Right now we have her separated from the others with only a dish of applesauce/yogurt and some water.

And tomorrow we have to go out of town, and will be gone overnight into Friday later in the day. So my DH wants to make a decision before we leave.

Anyone have any more advice?

 

[Sarevan]

To treat a yeast infection, you need an anti-fungal medication. Over-the-counter medications used for yeast infections fall in the anti-fungal class of medications and are available as intravaginal creams, tablets, or suppositories. These include:

Monistat (miconazole nitrate)
Gyne-Lotrimin or Mycelex (clotrimazole vaginal)
Femstat (butoconazole vaginal)
Vagistat-1, Monistat-1 (tioconazole)


You should be able to find one of those. I tube feed it into hens not sure how for a chick. Unless the feeding tube is small enough for a chick to allow the med to be syringed into the crop.

 

[1dog1cat6chicks]

How do you tell if it's a yeast infection?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you try giving her a little mineral oil or a bit of an epsom salt flush: dissolve 1 tsp epsom salt in 1/2 cup water, then let her take a couple of sips , and repeat in 12 hours, then stop. I f using the mineral oi, I would only give 1/2 ML. Either one of these is a strong laxative that I wouldn't normally recommend for a chick, but this sounds pretty serious now. If your vet could have seen her, they might have been able to do crop surgery. I'm just afraid that this chick is not going to make it. After you give the laxative, don't give any more olive oil--just lots of water.