Sour Crop Possible Aspiration

[PortiasFlock]

Hi, we have a 2 year old wyandot hen who has been having some sour crop issues. I tried the vinegar and yogurt to no avail. I then tried Monistat and the first day, it looked a bit smaller but now it is back (we are on day 3 of monistat) I keep giving her yogurt but otherwise, she is not eating or drinking. I have her isolated from the others. This morning I did the desperate times thing and finally tried emptying her crop myself. A TON of gross smelling goo came out but then she started to "rattle" with her breathing. We don't have an avian vet here but we do have large animal vets. Is there an antibiotic I can ask my vet for to help? Also, I am worried it might be impacted as well since it's just not getting better. I am open to any and all advise.

 

[azygous]

If it's sour crop, an antibiotic can make things worse by aggravating the yeast. How much miconazole are you giving and how often? She will probably be okay and what liquid she aspirated is localized to the upper trachea and not the lungs. But do not try to empty her crop again. You were lucky she didn't die this time. It happens that quickly.

 

[azygous]

Here is an article that might provide more information on crops disorders than your now possess. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/authors/azygous.45606/ Select the article on crop disorders and how to identify and treat them. There is a problem with copying my article links to create an active link, so until this site gets its act together with this new format, you will need to copy the link and paste it in your browser. Redoing a website that was originally very user friendly can certainly make life annoying.

 

[PortiasFlock]

Thank you so much for the info! I am going to try the "crop bra" today as I am thinking she might have a pendulous crop. Will this be a permanent thing she wears? As for dosage, I am cutting a three day suppository into 3rds (I read that on a different thread) and I am giving it twice a day. I notice that your article said to medicate longer. Should I purchase another box?
Side note.... I will NEVER vomit a chicken again!

 

[casportpony]

@azygous and @PortiasFlock , here is the link to the article:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[azygous]

Over the years treating sour crop, I've fiddled with amounts of the miconazole. I've found that frequency and duration are both more important that amount. To clarify, any strength and amount is okay, but it must be given twice a day for a full seven days. The principle is to bombard the yeast with a constant presence of the anti-yeast med, and twice a day is crucial as is doing it for seven full days.

 

[LauraKchickentender]

Over the years treating sour crop, I've fiddled with amounts of the miconazole. I've found that frequency and duration are both more important that amount. To clarify, any strength and amount is okay, but it must be given twice a day for a full seven days. The principle is to bombard the yeast with a constant presence of the anti-yeast med, and twice a day is crucial as is doing it for seven full days.

 

[LauraKchickentender]

Could I give Monistat for more than 7 days safely?

 

[azygous]

Yes. Recently I treated a hen for eleven straight days with it. However, when a yeast infection fails to respond to the miconazole, you had best step up to a more intense treatment. I finally began giving my hen Epsom salt flushes, tubed directly into her crop. This finally made the difference and she's now recovering. I'll follow the flush with a week on copper sulfate to nail any lingering yeast. Keep this as a note so you will have a fall back plan if the yeast lingers much longer than a week.

 

[LauraKchickentender]

Yes. Recently I treated a hen for eleven straight days with it. However, when a yeast infection fails to respond to the miconazole, you had best step up to a more intense treatment. I finally began giving my hen Epsom salt flushes, tubed directly into her crop. This finally made the difference and she's now recovering. I'll follow the flush with a week on copper sulfate to nail any lingering yeast. Keep this as a note so you will have a fall back plan if the yeast lingers much longer than a week.

Thank you!