Very ill RIR hen with extreme weight loss **Update - Salpingitis Confirmed**

[casportpony]

I mentioned worming because it seems like lately several people have lost birds to capillary worms and wasting because they thought that worming them one day with 1/2 cc Safeguard was effective. No harm in ruling out worms, that's what I would do first.

-Kathy

Edited to add:
I'd also tube fluids, then fluids and baby bird food and maybe start on antibiotics.

 

[WTCluck16]

Here is a spot where she has pooped a few times. Some of it is from earlier in the day. She keeps standing in the same spot.
Her most recent poo was the large yellow spot. It was all yellow and liquid. She's not acting good at all.
I thought she was doing better after she ate the egg/buttermilk, but she declined throughout the day. She just stands or lays down in the same spot with her eyes closed.

 

[WTCluck16]

Quote:
Hi Kathy. I wormed with Safegaurd at 1/2 cc for three consecutive days. Now I'm wishing I would have done it for 5 days. They are due tomorrow for their 10 day re-dose. Should I dose them more than just one time? I literally don't own any type of scale at my house, but I can see if I can borrow one or pick one up from the store before I re-dose them, so that I have a more accurate dosage based on their individual weights.

I'm not sure if she is going to make it through this tonight. I have no clue how to tube feed, and I'm not sure I have the supplies I would need. I am comfortable with syringe feeding her, but I know that's not as beneficial.

 

[WTCluck16]

Also, her crop feels squishy and big, but she hasn't eaten anything since this morning with the buttermilk/egg mixture. She is acting completely lethargic, just like the first hen I lost to this. She just stands with her eyes closed, and she is oh so skinny. I feel terrible that I can't seem to give her what she needs. I've got her on several layers of fluffed towels in a laundry basket, so she isn't laying on her bony body. Poor sweet girl.

I made a call to the state poultry association, and they offered to pay for her necropsy if the situation arises. When I asked her if there were any other labs that would be more affordable, she said the state has grant money for these situations, and they will cover the $125 necropsy fee at Purdue. This is very helpful. At least I may be able to know how to better help the others if I know what's going on. I'm also wondering if she makes it through the night if I should have them euthanize her. It breaks my heart, but it's so hard to watch her waste away like this too.

 

[casportpony]

Quote:

Hi Kathy. I wormed with Safegaurd at 1/2 cc for three consecutive days. Now I'm wishing I would have done it for 5 days. They are due tomorrow for their 10 day re-dose. Should I dose them more than just one time? I literally don't own any type of scale at my house, but I can see if I can borrow one or pick one up from the store before I re-dose them, so that I have a more accurate dosage based on their individual weights.

I'm not sure if she is going to make it through this tonight. I have no clue how to tube feed, and I'm not sure I have the supplies I would need. I am comfortable with syringe feeding her, but I know that's not as beneficial.

Don't beat yourself up, there are many other things that can cause the symptoms you're seeing. She's an older hen, so there is a very good chance that it's a reprodutive issue or cancer. So sorry you're going thru this, I now how painful it can be.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Also, her crop feels squishy and big, but she hasn't eaten anything since this morning with the buttermilk/egg mixture. She is acting completely lethargic, just like the first hen I lost to this. She just stands with her eyes closed, and she is oh so skinny. I feel terrible that I can't seem to give her what she needs. I've got her on several layers of fluffed towels in a laundry basket, so she isn't laying on her bony body. Poor sweet girl.

I made a call to the state poultry association, and they offered to pay for her necropsy if the situation arises. When I asked her if there were any other labs that would be more affordable, she said the state has grant money for these situations, and they will cover the $125 necropsy fee at Purdue. This is very helpful. At least I may be able to know how to better help the others if I know what's going on. I'm also wondering if she makes it through the night if I should have them euthanize her. It breaks my heart, but it's so hard to watch her waste away like this too.

Take them up on their offer, that way you'll know how best to treat the rest of your flock.

-Kathy

 

[WTCluck16]

Well Ruby 2 passed away this afternoon. She was comfortable, and I was with her. I drove her to the diagnostic lab at Purdue. They called a few hours later after her necropsy with her results. The Dr. said she had salpingitis. They are doing more tests (histo) on her organs, but the results won't be back until sometime next week for that. But he is certain she could not have been saved, as she had a large infected mass in her oviduct caused by salpingitis.

Before the necropsy when he was gathering info, he was concerned about blackhead b/c of the yellow poop. But he came back with salpingitis, not blackhead as the cause of death.

I find it weird that 2 of these 4 older hens have died of the same symptoms, and a third is sick with the same symptoms. Ugh... I want to help Ruby 3 so she does not have the same fate as the previous 2. Is it likely that they all have salpingitis??

Any ideas on what I should do for Ruby 3? Her symptoms so far are runny green poop. She still has energy and an appetite, but it does seem like she is slowly losing weight. (I keep forgetting to pick up a scale when I'm out.) She isn't nearly as skinny as the other 2 yet though. I did bring her inside so I can keep a better eye on her symptoms.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss of Ruby. I found some interesting articles on salpingitis which you may want to read:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/134/salpingitis
http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/colibacillosis.html
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx

 

[WTCluck16]

So sorry for your loss of Ruby. I found some interesting articles on salpingitis which you may want to read:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/134/salpingitis
http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/colibacillosis.html
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx

Thank you very much. I did read them. It's looking like there is not much hope for Ruby 3. Although, I'm thinking about starting her on an antibiotic. I feel like I have to try something. I've read that baytril and metronidazole have worked for some. I'm just not finding much info on treatment.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: I have one right now that I'm treating for some sort of repro infection. With her I inserted my finger in her vent and found that the entrance to her vagina was blocked with hardened pus, so I got what I could out, started Baytril, metronidazole *and* Safeguard. She wasn't drinking or eating, so I also tubed fluids to her, then fluids and food. Thought for sure she'd be dead by now, but she seems to be getting better.

Don't get your hopes up, these older hens don't usually survive, but if you want to try treating her, go for it, I always do.

Repro tract picture:



-Kathy