Thin, diarrhea, tired, out of ideas...please help

[Kiki]

It feels very squishy not hard so maybe it is fluid?

Acites operation a huge success

I wonder if @azygous could offer some advice.

 

[Kiki]

I really am sorry your girl is not feeling well and I really have no idea what the problem is...it could be one of so many different things. Sorry I can't offer much help. It's like pulling straws...hopefully someone offers a good solution for ya.

 

[pineapple416]

Acites operation a huge success

I wonder if @azygous could offer some advice.

That sounds similar to what is happening to my hen. She has poor balance and her legs are pushed apart. Could be something else though you are right.
Not sure what to do anymore, I guess I will continue feeding her and keep her comfortable until she dies. Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi

I'm afraid I too am leaning towards internal laying or possibly cancer since she is losing weight and has gone off her food. Her wide stance in one of the photos suggests she has abdominal swelling which is pushing her legs apart. A mass in the abdomen will eventually constrict the gut and mean that they are no longer able to evacuate waste normally and just semi liquid most white urates can get through resulting in the soiled butt feathers.
If it is a cancerous tumour then the kindest thing you can do is end it for her. If it is internal laying and there is some associated ascites (water belly) she may benefit short term from being drained but it will only buy her a month or two at most. With internal laying some people have had longer success with hormone implants but that is expensive and if getting a faecal sample tested at the vets is out of the question then I imagine getting hormone implants every 3-6months at $150+ a shot, is not an option.

Unfortunately there is no easy way to tell if it is internal laying or a tumour and if she was mine, I'm not sure I would put her through the ordeal of trying to drain her, just to have the slim chance of extending her life by a month or two.

I hate to be pessimistic, but in my opinion (and I am not a vet), she has come to the end of her days and if you are of a mind to euthanize, that might be the kindest option. I'm sorry, I can't offer you more hope. If there is anything about what I have described above that you would like me to elaborate on or have any questions, I am happy to answer any questions to help you feel more comfortable about making this difficult decision.

Sincerest sympathies

Barbara

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with Rebra. I am not willing to put my birds through paracentesis simply to remove ascites fluid that will only return. If she has ascites, you can not cure it without fixing the underlying problem.

If you don't have the funds for a fecal float, (and by no means, am I fault finding here.) then other treatment options are going to be at best prohibitive in cost, and at worst, a matter of subjecting her to painful/stressful treatment that may not improve her quality of life at all. If she were my hen, in my flock, I'd give her a merciful euthanasia.

 

[pineapple416]

Hi

I'm afraid I too am leaning towards internal laying or possibly cancer since she is losing weight and has gone off her food. Her wide stance in one of the photos suggests she has abdominal swelling which is pushing her legs apart. A mass in the abdomen will eventually constrict the gut and mean that they are no longer able to evacuate waste normally and just semi liquid most white urates can get through resulting in the soiled butt feathers.
If it is a cancerous tumour then the kindest thing you can do is end it for her. If it is internal laying and there is some associated ascites (water belly) she may benefit short term from being drained but it will only buy her a month or two at most. With internal laying some people have had longer success with hormone implants but that is expensive and if getting a faecal sample tested at the vets is out of the question then I imagine getting hormone implants every 3-6months at $150+ a shot, is not an option.

Unfortunately there is no easy way to tell if it is internal laying or a tumour and if she was mine, I'm not sure I would put her through the ordeal of trying to drain her, just to have the slim chance of extending her life by a month or two.

I hate to be pessimistic, but in my opinion (and I am not a vet), she has come to the end of her days and if you are of a mind to euthanize, that might be the kindest option. I'm sorry, I can't offer you more hope. If there is anything about what I have described above that you would like me to elaborate on or have any questions, I am happy to answer any questions to help you feel more comfortable about making this difficult decision.

Sincerest sympathies

Barbara

Thank you very much Barbara. Yes we do not live near a vet and have a lot of chickens so we seldom take them to the vet. I think euthanizing her is probably a good idea but I still have the thought in the back of mind of what is she gets better. Thanks for your reply and support this situation breaks my heart a little.

 

[pineapple416]

Agreed with Rebra. I am not willing to put my birds through paracentesis simply to remove ascites fluid that will only return. If she has ascites, you can not cure it without fixing the underlying problem.

If you don't have the funds for a fecal float, (and by no means, am I fault finding here.) then other treatment options are going to be at best prohibitive in cost, and at worst, a matter of subjecting her to painful/stressful treatment that may not improve her quality of life at all. If she were my hen, in my flock, I'd give her a merciful euthanasia.

Yes I do not think I will try draining the fluid, doesn't sound like a good idea to me. We just have a lot of chickens so if we took them to the vet every time they got sick we would spend a fortune. It is also a long drive. How would you recommend euthanizing her if I decide to? Taking her to the vet to get a shot maybe? I still haven't made up my mind on what to do with her. Thanks for the reply.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not even subject her to the stress of a drive to the vet. You can euthanize her at home in a far less stressful manner. I use the broomstick method for euthanizing a bird I'm not going to eat. You can do a thread search, and probably find plenty of descriptions, and maybe a photographic or video tutorial.

 

[micstrachan]

Just in case, wanted to throw this out there... Could it be vent gleet? I do understand at her age a laying issue or cancer may be more likely, but wonder if treating for vent gleet is worth a try.

 

[pineapple416]

I would not even subject her to the stress of a drive to the vet. You can euthanize her at home in a far less stressful manner. I use the broomstick method for euthanizing a bird I'm not going to eat. You can do a thread search, and probably find plenty of descriptions, and maybe a photographic or video tutorial.

Thanks for the reply. I don't think I could ever euthanize a chicken like her that I love so much myself. It would break my heart. I would be okay with shooting her but I like in town so that isn't allowed. I think if it comes down to it I know someone who could euthanize her quickly and humanely for me who has experience.