torturing my hen with medicine

[Dhkoenig]

Hi All - My Nellie had a lash-egg and I took her to the hospital where they kept her overnight and treated her with subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, anti inflammatories and anti-fungal (even tho her fecal didn't detect any parasites). So...they sent here home with 3 medicines. 4 days of anti-fungal, 5 days of anti inflammatory, and 7 days 2 times daily of antibiotics. When she came home (I chose not to separate her from the flock because last time I did that with a hen, she was brutally attacked after coming back in - we just won't eat the eggs) of course the other girls ganged up on her the first night and pecked at her aggressively. Next day she was oky and integrated back in. But each day as I chase her around, corner her into the coop, pull her off her perch etc...and shove a syringe full of medicine down her crop - she seems more and more depressed and aloof. I get the sense she is just sick of being picked on as she gains back her strength. It seems like every time I put healthy treats in there, she doesn't want to eat them when am in the run because she fears I will grab her. I only have two more days on the antibiotic (she has been on them for 6 days total) and I am inclined to just stop. I don't think she will die of the infection at this point but I think if I keep wearing her down and stressing her, her immune system will be more vulnerable. I feel like two days more of this will stress her out to the point where she might stop eating and just hide in the coop. How bad is it if I quit the antibiotics now? Is it such an exact science that two days shy will make it all for naught? I really don't want to torture her anymore. It is breaking my heart. She is my favorite hen.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hi All - My Nellie had a lash-egg and I took her to the hospital where they kept her overnight and treated her with subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, anti inflammatories and anti-fungal (even tho her fecal didn't detect any parasites). So...they sent here home with 3 medicines. 4 days of anti-fungal, 5 days of anti inflammatory, and 7 days 2 times daily of antibiotics. When she came home (I chose not to separate her from the flock because last time I did that with a hen, she was brutally attacked after coming back in - we just won't eat the eggs) of course the other girls ganged up on her the first night and pecked at her aggressively. Next day she was oky and integrated back in. But each day as I chase her around, corner her into the coop, pull her off her perch etc...and shove a syringe full of medicine down her crop - she seems more and more depressed and aloof. I get the sense she is just sick of being picked on as she gains back her strength. It seems like every time I put healthy treats in there, she doesn't want to eat them when am in the run because she fears I will grab her. I only have two more days on the antibiotic (she has been on them for 6 days total) and I am inclined to just stop. I don't think she will die of the infection at this point but I think if I keep wearing her down and stressing her, her immune system will be more vulnerable. I feel like two days more of this will stress her out to the point where she might stop eating and just hide in the coop. How bad is it if I quit the antibiotics now? Is it such an exact science that two days shy will make it all for naught? I really don't want to torture her anymore. It is breaking my heart. She is my favorite hen.

The problem with stopping antibiotics before the set time is that any of the nasties that haven't been killed yet will be left to reproduce and make stronger nasties. Part of the reason human superbugs are around now. Why not wait until dark and just pluck her off, do the deed and then put her back?

 

[aart]

Probably would have been, and still is, better to keep her in a crate in the coop while she is being medicated and recovering.
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[Dhkoenig]

The problem with stopping antibiotics before the set time is that any of the nasties that haven't been killed yet will be left to reproduce and make stronger nasties. Part of the reason human superbugs are around now. Why not wait until dark and just pluck her off, do the deed and then put her back?

I feel like that might even be worse cuz I would have to pry her out from the cluster of them. I dunno - part of me knows you are so right but then the other part remembers so many times when I stopped my own antibiotics before I was supposed to and I was fine. zoiks - I did ask for advice tho so I should probably take it LOL

 

[ChicNmom]

It's a pain to do this but when I had several to medicate for canker I got up early before they got off the roost and medicated them then and again at night once they were on the roost. I'm sure they dreaded me coming but I always brought a good treat like some chopped up grapes.

Also, if possible I now give meds almost exclusively in a bite size piece of bread and then if it's not a liquid med then dip the bread in some water so it slides down easier. Also easier to find in case they manage to spit it out.

It's just a couple more days. You can make it!!

 

[MissE]

Before you stop taking antibiotics early, read up on MRSA. They are prescribed to be taken for a certain period of time for a very important reason.

 

[Dhkoenig]

It's a pain to do this but when I had several to medicate for canker I got up early before they got off the roost and medicated them then and again at night once they were on the roost. I'm sure they dreaded me coming but I always brought a good treat like some chopped up grapes.

Also, if possible I now give meds almost exclusively in a bite size piece of bread and then if it's not a liquid med then dip the bread in some water so it slides down easier. Also easier to find in case they manage to spit it out.

It's just a couple more days. You can make it!!

wait this could be a game changer!! Can you give liquid meds in food?

 

[ChicNmom]

wait this could be a game changer!! Can you give liquid meds in food?

I use bread, like a sponge to soak up the liquid med. Then give it to them like you would a pill. One piece if I can or two if necessary. I got tired of them moving at the last second and having them only get a portion of it.

 

[Goosebaby]

Try to offer a treat after giving her antibiotics but while still holding her, it might help.

 

[Dhkoenig]

I use bread, like a sponge to soak up the liquid med. Then give it to them like you would a pill. One piece if I can or two if necessary. I got tired of them moving at the last second and having them only get a portion of it.

Do they eat it readily? Or do u have to shove it in their mouth and close it down? Thanks