Urgent!! Need Help with a Lethargic Hen

[cowcreekgeek]

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

Thanks for sharing the additional information, 'cause those details can be very helpful to us all.

Hate seein' folks go through this, and I do understand your concerns that she may be suffering needlessly. She will hopefully get better, but if not? Shock normally precedes death, and is nature's anesthetic ... she most probably won't suffer much more than mild discomfort, either way.

And, you've done far more for her than any chicken could ever hope for.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

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.

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[swmalone]

So she seems to be a lot more active today. Is out running around, scratching and eating. I am not sure if I did anything to actually help her but she seem to be feeling better. I will continue to monitor her.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[fmacken13]

So far, Susie is still hanging in there. She's made it through the night but is still poorly. She did pooh...2x since yesterday, so I think that's a good sign. I do wonder though...can the crop be drained of fluid? My vet has the day off and won't be back in the office until tomorrow so I just want to know what you think.

Thank you for the advice on Sour Crop. If I could get her to eat, that would be great but she has no interest whatsoever. I gave her the medicine this morning and chased it down with a dropper full of water...just to keep her somewhat hydrated. I will follow your advice and go to the feed store and get the acidified copper sulphate. But if she's not drinking on her own, how do I administer it and at what dosage?

Thanks again for all your help and concern
Fiona

 

[fmacken13]

In reading another post...do you think that Olive Oil will help the Sour Crop?

 

[casportpony]

So far, Susie is still hanging in there. She's made it through the night but is still poorly. She did pooh...2x since yesterday, so I think that's a good sign. I do wonder though...can the crop be drained of fluid? My vet has the day off and won't be back in the office until tomorrow so I just want to know what you think.

Thank you for the advice on Sour Crop. If I could get her to eat, that would be great but she has no interest whatsoever. I gave her the medicine this morning and chased it down with a dropper full of water...just to keep her somewhat hydrated. I will follow your advice and go to the feed store and get the acidified copper sulphate. But if she's not drinking on her own, how do I administer it and at what dosage?

Thanks again for all your help and concern
Fiona

 

Sour crop isn't usually treated with antibiotics, so why did your vet give them? What does he/she think the problem is?

 

[casportpony]

In reading another post...do you think that Olive Oil will help the Sour Crop?

I would not give her oil unless she had an impacted crop.

 

[casportpony]

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.

Sorry... I get confused whe people have the same avatar. And even more confused when they don't start their own thread. Can you post a picture of the poop?

 

[Smoochie]

Sour crop usually smells putrid and the crop is distended. I have (as per my poultry books) emptied the crop by turning th chicken upside down (so the crop's contents fall out instead of flowing into the lungs) and gently massage for no longer than 30 seconds until the contents come out. Sometimes this has to been done a few times with rests. Then giving some apple cider vinegar for a few days will help pH balance.

 

[casportpony]

Shaun, I just spoke with another avian vet that said the normal rectal temp for a chicken is 103-104, so maybe your hen's temp is higher than normal. What is her temp now?