Suprelorin implant (Virbac) stops hens with egg peritonitis laying anymore

[Spinster_Sister]

Thought I would update...although not an update really. I had to take Parsley to an ER avian vet for suspected internal laying. She had been laying shell-less eggs for a couple of weeks then she all of a sudden started to look poorly. Last Sunday, Parsley had throat and cloacal swabs, fecal test and digital x-rays. We were sent home with medications and instructions to limit her exposure to ANY sort of light to 8 hours maximum. Happy to say that she is feeling and acting much better (6 days later) but that E-coli has been found growing and the final reports on her swabs are not due until tomorrow. Now, the avian vet said that she suspects EYP based on fluid buildup in her abdomen (seen through the xrays) and shell-less egg history. EYP is a horrible condition but there are options available and the vet mentioned implants but recommends spaying. I am terrified of losing my Parsley on the operating table or immediately afterwards because of too much trauma or anesthesia complications (not to mention the high cost) due to spaying. As I understand it, the anesthesia for the implants is much lighter and the implants are suppose to work for up to 1 year on a chicken.

So hopefully this Sunday I will be able to report back on the options for our girls suffering from egg laying issues. BTW...the ER vet prescribed Orbax and TriMeth/Sulfa liquid meds....I have been terrified of drowning Parsley because she will absolutely not take the meds on bread or treats - the Orbax is very bitter. So...that is where we are at with egg laying problems.

(edited for grammar)

 

[Jess1990]

Hey everyone,

I have a chicken named Ethel who had severe egg perionitis and had the hormonal implant (suprelorin). Its been 6 months now and im convinced that implant saved her life. She turns 4 next month (shes an ex bat). The implant is now wearing off and she has laid one egg.

Whilst on the implant she recovered very quickly, tho lost all her feathers ( wasnt a very pretty site). Another side effect i was warned about was a change in personality. She became a very quiet withdrawn chicken with a very cranky streak... In saying that as of last week she has been prancing about and quite happy for a cuddle.

I am unsure if she should be allowed to lay again (any feedback welcome please??) but i would recommend the implant even with those side effects Ethel had.

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Hi Jess1990, what size implant was used on Ethel? My Parsley had a partial "hysterectomy" but because the ovary was left, there is a remote chance that she could ovulate and the vet is recommending the implant. I know there are two size available...4.7 and I believe a 9.4....of course, I would want the one that works the longest !
TIA,
Vickie

 

[Jess1990]

Hey Vicki,
I was unaware about the sizes available! I was told Ethels would last anywhere between 6 to 12months. I will have a look through her records to see if there is a mention of size and get back too!
Cheers
Jess

 

[Spinster_Sister]

http://www.virbac.co.uk/product.aspx?pid=195&product=68&#page=page-BRAND

 

[Jess1990]

Well there u go! Id say Ethel has the 4.7 as its worn off now and its been just over 6 months. she isnt laying anymore though. Her vet records didnt mention a size too.

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Update on my Parsley. It has been six weeks since her partial spay/exploratory surgery and she will be getting her 4.7 implant sometime this week. I was in contact with a UK vet who could supply us with the 9.4 but the time constraint and the required cold shipping was problems that I didn't want to deal with.

She is mimicking one of my other layers and going into a broody trance when she hears my loudmouth layer "woo woo"/cry at lay time. Parsley goes looking for a nest box and scratches around, then starts "woo woo" ing and screams if disturbed. I was told it could just be "behavorial" but I don't want to jeopardize her health any further than I already have with the surgery.

I wish I would've just had the larger implant instead of surgery. On the plus side, the 250cc of clear fluid the vet was able to drain out tested negative for bacteria - there still is no idea where it came from! Because of excess inter abdominal fat, the landmarks of her guts were not visible and only part of her oviduct was removed because of substantial blood loss.

Now, I am facing a bill of $608 (including the price of 2 implants {as they are sold in pairs}) then for the inevitable second implant the bill will be $247.50. Of course, if the anesthesia time runs over 30 minutes, I have to add about $35 more to either surgery. The suggested course is now to implant one, then 5-7 weeks later implant the second...then in about 6 months impant the third or when the two start to fail.

Where was the implant placed in your hens? My vet said the implant goes on the back.....

 

[Jess1990]

Hey Spinster_Sister,

Ethel got her implant in her back... On the the flat bit just below the base of the neck

Best of luck! Vet bills arent cheap but they are worth it


Jess

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Hi Jess,

Thank you for updating about the location of the implant. My Parsley was implanted on last Thursday after bothering my nephew for a back rub. She is currently inside my bathroom waiting for her puncture to heal up before letting her loose. She is responsive when one hen lays so the vet advised to keep her inside as long as possible, up to even one month! She seems a little depressed, kind of look foggy but was told to expect this because of the new hormones.
So...hopefully her implant will last at least 6 months, and yes they do cost $$$$$, but my pets are worth it! Thank Goodness for Craigslist!!!

BTW, I shopped around for the price for implant surgery. The surgeon who performed the spay quoted me $608.50 for the first implant and an expected $278-343 for the second implant that she thought Parsley would need within 6-8 weeks.
Parsley's original vet charged me $348 for the first surgery and a "wait and see" to check when she actually needs the second implant! Surgery went smoothly and Parsley was only sedated for 3 minutes or so, we were ready to go home in 3 hours.

 

[RonRonsMom]

Hi! I am new around here. I have a Rhode Island Red that I rescued, and she is part of my family I am taking her to the vet on Friday to get the Suprelorin implant. She may be laying shell-less eggs. She actually got sick and we took her to the vet because it sounded like she had lost her voice. After checking for gapeworm, and a fecal, everything regarding parasites came back negative. X-rays revealed a little bit of fluid in the abdomen and the vet diagnosed her with Egg-Yolk Embolism. We treated her with antibiotics and an anti-fungal for 14 days and now she is back to normal.

I noticed this weekend that there was yolk-like substance in her coop but no shell pieces and I panicked. So I am taking her to get the Suprelorin implant on Friday which will cost me $160.00 minus any medicine afterwards.

My question is, if anyone with experience in this implant could describe the side effects (if there are any not mentioned above) that I should look out for? Is there any special food I should give her after the implant?

I greatly appreciate your help, and thank you to all who have already provided such great information!

Dee

RonRonsMom <3