Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[ChickenAl]

We got our own bad news today. One of our cats, Maestro, developed a swollen face and runny eyes. Laura took him to the vet today. He had a rotten tooth, which she extracted right there and then (apparently it practically fell out). But beyond that, he appears to have an aggressive tumor. He's too old for surgery and has a heart murmur, so we're giving him antibiotics to clear the infection, then we'll see what his condition is. If he's suffering, other than with the infection, we'll have to put him down.

He's a beautiful all black cat who we've had since he was a kitten. His littermate, Fiona, a calico, has a number of lipomas, but so far is okay. They're both so sweet, it's heartbreaking. They're almost 15 and have never been sick. Laura said Maestro was so frightened and confused at the vet, but never stopped purring. When she brought him home, he jumped right up on her bed and started kneading his favorite stuffed animal. He's been cuddling with it ever since he got sick.


Here he is. My black velvet glove.

Suzanne, sorry to hear Maestro is ill too.

We had a calico that had cancer and we had her operated on. She lived for a few months after that and we are grateful she didn't suffer.

Hope something can be done.

 

[Imprfctme]

So sorry about your beautiful kitty's illness.

 

[goldeneggtees]

Hope Maestro is feeling better!

 

[smkchick]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. Since surgery is not an option, the most we can do is make sure he's comfortable. Until he reaches the point of suffering, at which time we will decide what's best for him.

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it: I wish we could do for our human loved ones what we can do for our animal loved ones - ease their suffering when the time comes.

On a happy note, Wanda has developed a big comb and is hanging around the nesting boxes. This morning, she was keeping Agatha company up there. Maybe Agatha is sharing some laying pointers!

Gladys laid two monster sized eggs - one yesterday and one the day before. Haven't cracked them yet to see if they're double yolkers...

 

[Imprfctme]

Maybe Maestro would like some scrambled eggs?

 

[smkchick]

Maybe Maestro would like some scrambled eggs?

Perhaps he would. My experience with him (and his sister) is that they'll eat anything!

 

[goldeneggtees]

You are never going to believe what is going on with my flock.

As I was dealing with the nightmare of putting Houdina down, I noticed 1 of my buff orps not acting right. Then as I was burying little houdina, I noticed another 2 hens acting lethargic. They would not open their eyes at all. I rushed the worse one of the bunch to my friend and she gave fluids as they probably didn't drink all day. Two of them seemed to get better but I kept the worse one in overnight. Now she seems perkier this morning, still not 100% though.

I go into the coop and I have another 2 on the roost, won't come down and are extremely sleepy. I can't believe this is happening. I did notice there was diarrhea on the roosts. I think I need to get myself some iv fluids and know how to give it to them. I know if the ladies don't eat or drink all day, it can't be good.

Their feed hasn't been changed so I don't think it's that. Now I am wondering what in the world is going on? Maybe it's the wormer I gave to them but the vet wasn't sure it could be since their last dose was on Saturday and she thought the reaction would have been sooner. But I did feed back their eggs to them since we are not supposed to eat them. I didn't want them going to waste. Maybe it's all the residual wormer that is affecting them. Who knows????????????

I wonder did they eat something poisonous, like a plant or something. Did someone slip them something? That's almost what it seems like. I do have a back property that backs to a road and they are free ranging back there so it's a possibility.

I don't like this part of chicken keeping, I can tell you that. UGH! UGH! UGH! I will post this in the emergency section too, maybe someone else has had a similar experience.

 

[Imprfctme]

I wonder if they have a virus or something. Where are you on the island? Maybe they got exposed to some migrating birds that came through, I know L.I. is quite the hotspot destination for many bird species. This is awful, I feel so bad for you. I really hope you get some good news from the vet or the emergency board today. Fingers crossed!

 

[goldeneggtees]

Thanks, no responses yet on the er post. i am going out now to see where we stand. i am giving electrolytes in the water and keeping my fingers crossed. this is by far my most bizarre chicken keeping experience and I've had quite a few scares in the three years I've had them. Trust me, these hens are SPOILED and well treated!!!!!!!!!!!

Though they were out in the heavy (warmish) rain we had last week for awhile until I chased them all back inside. When it's like that out, and they do nothing but stand around looking for cover, I figure what is the sense of letting them stay out. it was decent when i let them out in the a.m. They've been fairly hardy birds up until this. such a mystery!

 

[stoopid]

This weather is making everyone sick.
Alot of people I know are having problems with their birds.
A few of mine are wheezing, also. I have some antibiotics, but would rather not dose them unless it gets really bad.
I am not a huge fan of drugs, I would rather nature run its course unless it gets out of hand.
I also wonder whether I brought something home from the show.
Ahhh, the thrill of it all.

I hope Maestro feels better.

Donna, I hope your flock improves. There is a product called Oxine that I am a believer in, it is mainly used for respiratory infections, and disinfecting.
It is used in HVAC systems, and for keeping down the slime in standing water.
I am not good at linking things, Shagbark silkies has an excellent page on it.
If you need some, I can get a bottle over to you, let me know.
I sprayed the crap out of everything at the show with it, kind of when everyone at work is sick, you spray everything with Lysol.....

Also, if you feed the eggs back to the birds, I would cut back a little on the wormer dose. JMO