Urgent!! Need Help with a Lethargic Hen

[cowcreekgeek]

So we decided to take her outside and see how she would react. I really don't know what was wrong with her this morning, but she started moving around once we took her out. She also started to drink and eat. I did end up getting pooped on when I took her out and it was yellowish/whitish and runny.

We are going to leave her out to see how she reacts. I don't know if perhaps she actually started feeling better throughout the day and was just not eating or drinking because she was freaked out from being in the house. I guess I'm glad she is more energetic I just wish I knew what was wrong in the first place.

We will keep an eye on her over the next several days.

Thanks for all the assistance.

Might be best to keep her where you can monitor her intake, and check her poop ... that'd be one of the best ways to figure out what's actually causing her symptoms. And, still? Ya may never know ~'-)

 

[casportpony]

So we decided to take her outside and see how she would react. I really don't know what was wrong with her this morning, but she started moving around once we took her out. She also started to drink and eat. I did end up getting pooped on when I took her out and it was yellowish/whitish and runny.

We are going to leave her out to see how she reacts. I don't know if perhaps she actually started feeling better throughout the day and was just not eating or drinking because she was freaked out from being in the house. I guess I'm glad she is more energetic I just wish I knew what was wrong in the first place.

We will keep an eye on her over the next several days.

Thanks for all the assistance.

She might be feeling better from the fluids and the antibiotics that she got at the vet. Keep an eye on her poop... yellow has been liver issues in *all* of mine. And I would keep her in at night..

 

[casportpony]

Ok...I took Susie to the vet. Her crop is so engorged that its bruised. The vet gave her an antibiotic shot in her breast and gave her a sub dermal IV full of vitamins and fluids. I also got an antiobiotic to give her 2x a day that has antiprotozoa stuff in it too. The other 2 chickens are on the same regimen. Poor Susie looked even worse at the vets office. Her combs are wilting off to the side. Anyway, she's separated from the others and resting in her own pen in the garage. I've done all I can do...I just hope she makes it until tomorrow.

Thank you all for your responses

Fiona

Curiously, what antibiotic did he send you home with? Your post says that it has an anti-protozoa, so I'm going to guess that it's some sort of Sulfa or Metronidazole. Most people don't get the chance to take their chickens to the vet, so your visit is likely to help many other people.

 

[casportpony]

Might be best to keep her where you can monitor her intake, and check her poop ... that'd be one of the best ways to figure out what's actually causing her symptoms. And, still? Ya may never know ~'-)

You have such a nice way of saying things.

 

[fmacken13]

On the vet bill it says they gave fluids, subcutaneous, Baytril Injection and Metronidazole suspension. Baytril was the antibiotic and the Metronidazole is for parasites. Susie is getting weaker...her combs are far off to one side now. She keeps her eyes shut and doesn't stir easily. I lifted her out of her pen area and she sounds like a water bottle. Any pressure on her crop just makes it swish around. She's only poohed once since earlier this afternoon and she's still not eating or drinking. I've given her millet spray's and a piece of bread...but she won't go near it. Also, we the vet examined her crop area, it's so protruded that its bruised. I'm just wondering if something has ruptured. I really don't expect her to make it through the night. If there's a chance that she'll bounce back, I'll take it. But if she's not, I'd rather break her neck than see her suffer. Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball.

Thank you for your concern
Regards,
Fiona

 

[casportpony]

On the vet bill it says they gave fluids, subcutaneous, Baytril Injection and Metronidazole suspension. Baytril was the antibiotic and the Metronidazole is for parasites. Susie is getting weaker...her combs are far off to one side now. She keeps her eyes shut and doesn't stir easily. I lifted her out of her pen area and she sounds like a water bottle. Any pressure on her crop just makes it swish around. She's only poohed once since earlier this afternoon and she's still not eating or drinking. I've given her millet spray's and a piece of bread...but she won't go near it. Also, we the vet examined her crop area, it's so protruded that its bruised. I'm just wondering if something has ruptured. I really don't expect her to make it through the night. If there's a chance that she'll bounce back, I'll take it. But if she's not, I'd rather break her neck than see her suffer. Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball.

Thank you for your concern
Regards,
Fiona

Your vet is a good one... Baytril is a very good antibiotic, much like our Cipro and Metronidazole is also an antibiotic, but it has the added benefit of being good for treating protozoans like giardia, blackhead (histomoniais) and tricomoniasis. There is a chance that she'll make it, so don't give up yet. Bless you for taking her to the vet... I know it's not cheap.

I'll be thinking about you both tonight and hoping for a happy morning.

 

[swmalone]

She might be feeling better from the fluids and the antibiotics that she got at the vet. Keep an eye on her poop... yellow has been liver issues in *all* of mine. And I would keep her in at night..

Mine did not go to the vet. I just gave her a bath in the morning, gave some olive oil orally, a few live mealworms, and checked internally for eggbound or broken egg. I did pick up some antibiotics but I was only planning on using those as a last resort. It appears that her droppings have returned to a more regular state, and she is eating and moving around a lot more. I will see how she is doing in the morning.

 

[Suzierd]

On the vet bill it says they gave fluids, subcutaneous, Baytril Injection and Metronidazole suspension. Baytril was the antibiotic and the Metronidazole is for parasites. Susie is getting weaker...her combs are far off to one side now. She keeps her eyes shut and doesn't stir easily. I lifted her out of her pen area and she sounds like a water bottle. Any pressure on her crop just makes it swish around. She's only poohed once since earlier this afternoon and she's still not eating or drinking. I've given her millet spray's and a piece of bread...but she won't go near it. Also, we the vet examined her crop area, it's so protruded that its bruised. I'm just wondering if something has ruptured. I really don't expect her to make it through the night. If there's a chance that she'll bounce back, I'll take it. But if she's not, I'd rather break her neck than see her suffer. Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball.

Thank you for your concern
Regards,
Fiona

 

This sounds like sour crop to me.
Sour crop-
Separate hen, 24 hours with no food only water with 1/4 teaspoon of acidified copper sulfate (comes in powder form usually at feed store.) in a gallon in plastic waterer only. If you can't find that use 2 tablespoons of organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar in the plastic gallon waterer, changed daily. Day two add only plain yogurt. Day 3 add plain scrambled egg to the yogurt. Each day massage the crop pushing toward the back of the crop not upward. Day 4 maybe some soupy oatmeal added to eggs and yogurt, but no grains.
Don't make throw up can kill them.

 

[Smoochie]

I hope she pulls through. Please keep us posted on her condition. You have done a great job looking after her.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

You have such a nice way of saying things.

Thank you, but .. unfortunately ... despite my boots havin' multiple E's on the tongue, I often find they fit in my mouth better than on my feet ~'-)