Suggestions of foods for my sick, hardly eating beloved hen?

[SoulfulMinx]

Hi folks

I recently posted on another thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-disinterested-and-drooped-tail#post_13579460

My girl has been to the regular vet 4 times and had 4 doses of antibiotic. I was later referred to an exotic bird specialist. They have confirmed that she has egg peritonitis. The vet tried to drain some fluid from her abdomen, but little came out. I'm now treating her with prescribed medication including baytril. Her stool is bright green which would suggest what little she is eating, she's not digesting. I know it's not looking good, but i'm insistent on trying everything in my power to help her.

She's hardly eating, and therefore losing weight. I'm managing to syringe water, probiotic yoghurt and she'll occasionally eat a little sweet corn and meal worm. She's a really bad patient so syringing is difficult.

Can any of you suggest alternative foods that she might entertain?

 

[dawg53]

I'm sorry to say that the outlook for your hen doesnt look good. Here's a link for you w/ pics::

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/362422/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10

 

[memphis]

Scramble some egg. Mine will usually eat that. Sorry about your hen. Keep us posted on her progress.

 

[dawg53]

Scramble some egg. Mine will usually eat that. Sorry about your hen. Keep us posted on her progress.

Birds with EYP wont eat, they are on their way out.

 

[SoulfulMinx]

I'm sorry to say that the outlook for your hen doesnt look good. Here's a link for you w/ pics::

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/362422/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10

That's a great link, thank you. I'll spend some time reading it. That lovely hen pictured in the foreground looks the same as my poorly Linda

Scramble some egg. Mine will usually eat that. Sorry about your hen. Keep us posted on her progress.

Thank you. I'll try that this evening.

Birds with EYP wont eat, they are on their way out

My modest brood of 3 are my first hens. They are 3 years old this year. I'm forever learning from these forums. I know it won't be a happy ending, but wanted to do as best as possible while she's still with us.

 

[Sjisty]

If she doesn't have quality of life, maybe the best thing for her would be to say goodbye. Are you keeping her alive for her benefit or for yours? Sorry...

If you really want to feed her, go to the pet store and get some fish tank tubing. Put some feed in your food processer with water or probiotic and buzz it up so there are no pieces big enough to block the tube. Attach the tube to a syringe (without needle, of course), put the tube into her crop and feed her that way.

Good luck!

 

[Nambroth]

If she won't take mealworms or scrambled egg, your best bet is to tube feed her if she is at the point where she has gone off of food (given the diagnosis of Egg Yolk Peritonitis). I have some links in my signature that will help if you need assistance. Of course, she is really not doing well, so you will only prolong the sad inevitability of her passing. I was going to ask if your vet would be willing to try the hormonal implant that some people have had success with, but if she is not eating I'm afraid she may be well past the point of it helping her. I know what it is like to try everything to save a failing pet bird, truly I do, and I am so sorry.
There is nothing wrong with trying to keep her alive, but only to a point; you are there with her to judge her condition, not us. If you feel she starts suffering, I hope you will consider what is kindest for your hen.

All my best to you both!

 

[SoulfulMinx]

Sjisty, I wouldn't say she's ready to be written off yet. When I took her to the vet on Wednesday I did say that if she is suffering I would do what's best for her. The vet wasn't forthcoming with the suggestion to put her to sleep. She instead suggested some meds and a review in 2 weeks if of course she makes it till then. The vet said it's most likely the early stages EYP, she could feel a small mass, inserted a needle and only withdrew a very small amount of fluid. Having never come up against this before I can only do what i'm advised, and what i'm doing is advice from a professional. I wouldn't intentionally prolong the life of an animal if it is suffering.

 

[SoulfulMinx]

If she won't take mealworms or scrambled egg, your best bet is to tube feed her if she is at the point where she has gone off of food (given the diagnosis of Egg Yolk Peritonitis). I have some links in my signature that will help if you need assistance. Of course, she is really not doing well, so you will only prolong the sad inevitability of her passing. I was going to ask if your vet would be willing to try the hormonal implant that some people have had success with, but if she is not eating I'm afraid she may be well past the point of it helping her. I know what it is like to try everything to save a failing pet bird, truly I do, and I am so sorry.
There is nothing wrong with trying to keep her alive, but only to a point; you are there with her to judge her condition, not us. If you feel she starts suffering, I hope you will consider what is kindest for your hen.

All my best to you both!

Thank you for your reply. I'm going to study her this weekend. I work full time, so unable to access her during the day. She was still eating mealworm this morning, and yesterday ate the yoghurt unaided. So i'll see how she fairs over the next 24/48 hours. I did discuss the hormone implant briefly with the first vet I saw, and she had reservation. I later took her to a bird specialist on Wednesday and she didn't suggest it. It was more of a case of baby steps with a review in 2 weeks. However if her quality of life deteriorates dramatically I wouldn't delay the inevitable, as much as i'll miss her I wouldn't want to see her suffer.

 

[Stiggy]

some vets that are experienced in birds will actually de sex them ( remove her egg making bits in her case) its not cheap but some people think its nessocery to save their special hen. I don't know much about it, so I assume its a chicken version of a hysterectomy . scrambled eggs, bacon and aviary seed are good protein but the aviary seed will need to be small/ ground up