Suspecting peritonitis. Looking for advice.

[farmer-sly]

Hazel probably has peritonitis. Any suggestions for treatment or course of action?

 

[azygous]

This is extremely difficult to treat successfully. But you can certainly give it a try. You will likely need to sweet talk a vet into giving you a prescription for Baytril, not easy when most vets refuse to see chickens. Assure your vet you will be responsible for the treatment plan if they will write the script. Or you might be able to order it here without a prescription. https://jedds.com/products/enrofloxacin-10?_pos=1&_sid=1a5663f41&_ss=r

 

[EmmaO]

I recently treated a hen with peritonitis. First I kept her on a broad spectrum antibiotic which went in her water. After she went back to the coop she was fine for a few days then seemed to be backtracking so I got clavamox from my vet and gave it twice daily for another couple weeks. This seemed to keep any infection under wraps but wasn't a longterm fix and was doing a number on her digestive system. My vet gave me 3 options: 1) continue antibiotics 2) surgery to remove diseased plumbing followed by a couple weeks of restricting sunlight to get her to stop laying or 3) a hormone implant to stop her laying. I eventually went with the hormone implant. I didn't want to risk surgery because I know many birds die under anesthesia. The implant was expensive and I honestly felt a little crazy doing it, but what can I say, she's one of my favorites. I hope you have good luck with your hen. I think antibiotics are a good first course and hopefully will give the hen time to recover on her own or at least buy you time to decide what you want to do next.