Dappy Duck
In the Brooder
- Jan 31, 2024
- 6
- 22
- 21
Hello, fellow duck keepers; my sweet Tilly, a year-and-a-half-old Saxony hen, has been sick for a while. I've been to two vets for 3 visits, and they cannot reach the root cause. She has lost weight, she went through two molts in the fall and her feathers did not grow back fully, she's pale and dull in coloration compared to her sister. The first vet treated her for egg yolk peritonitis with a course of antibiotics as a precaution. Although she never felt egg-bound, she and the other four in our little flock have not been laying or laying soft eggs. A fecal came back negative for parasites. The second vet added Metacam because she seemed to be straining to lay and constantly tail wiggling. I've given her Epsom salt baths to help relieve that urge to no avail. She's on a healthy diet of pellets, crumble, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, watermelon, bananas and peas. Free ranges during the day, locked up tight at night. Oyster shells are available at all times, although no one eats them. The rest of the flock is robust and healthy. I added Tums to all because of suspected calcium deficiency, advised by the Vet. I give them Rooster Booster with their daily salad, and the Fresh Eggs Daily supplement is mixed into their dry feed.
Two days ago, her bottom appeared wet; upon a closer look, there was white mucus material coming out of her vent; she also stopped eating as of yesterday. She was very cold in the morning, so we made a garage ICU pen; she's still not eating. Right now, I'm suspecting cloaca inflammation or vent gleet. Here's how I'm treating it. Bathing daily to remove any mucus or dirt, adding a probiotic and 250,000 units of nystatin suspension 2 times a day, she's approximately 5 pounds. After cleaning and drying off her vet area I am spraying with Vetrimycian and spreading antifungal cream around her cloca area. She is tender to the touch there but no smell or skin irritation. Nurtradrench is in her water.
I'm sorry for the long post. Can anyone give me some guidance? My concern now is her not eating. I'd go back to the vet but I'm not sure they really know what to do.
Thanks from Tilly and me.
Photos: Tilly in a bath, white discharge (currently clear and more mucous-like, an egg she layed last week.
Two days ago, her bottom appeared wet; upon a closer look, there was white mucus material coming out of her vent; she also stopped eating as of yesterday. She was very cold in the morning, so we made a garage ICU pen; she's still not eating. Right now, I'm suspecting cloaca inflammation or vent gleet. Here's how I'm treating it. Bathing daily to remove any mucus or dirt, adding a probiotic and 250,000 units of nystatin suspension 2 times a day, she's approximately 5 pounds. After cleaning and drying off her vet area I am spraying with Vetrimycian and spreading antifungal cream around her cloca area. She is tender to the touch there but no smell or skin irritation. Nurtradrench is in her water.
I'm sorry for the long post. Can anyone give me some guidance? My concern now is her not eating. I'd go back to the vet but I'm not sure they really know what to do.
Thanks from Tilly and me.
Photos: Tilly in a bath, white discharge (currently clear and more mucous-like, an egg she layed last week.
