watery white poo picture..3 year old polish Hen lethargic,droopy wings

[windhillmom]

POLISH update: when we returned polish seemed a little better, a little more active. We didn't go back to tube feeding her right away because she seemed to be trying to eat I her own. After a few more days her poo became watery again and slowed down her eating.Last night we tube feed her and today she is very lethargic and so weak she keeps falling over. I was thinking she might be diabetic so I gave her some honey water (she had been drinking a lot) she loved the honey water and after drinking it she started walking around no problem. Does anyone have any experience with diabetes in chickens?

 

[ochochicas]

It sounds like Polish is really struggling. I'm sorry things are not going better for you.

My bird did the same as yours. She hated the tube feedings so much and was not getting better. Her droppings improved slightly, but then reverted back to having undigested food and being really watery. I called and made an appointment to have her put to sleep the next day and necropsied. She must had known it was time to go, because right after I made the phone call she got really sleepy and then passed away. It seemed rather peaceful, but in the end I wish I had her put to sleep sooner.

The lab said she had hepatitis in addition to a number of other issues like a big mass in her pectoral muscle. They didn't say anything about Clostridium infection or intestinal issues. They were supposed to do more tests on her, but I have not received the results yet. Birds are so hard to diagnose and we often don't know what is wrong with them until they are gone.

Sorry i don't have better news to report. Hopefully your hen will respond to your treatments. I don't have any info on diabetes in chickens.

 

[casportpony]

POLISH update: when we returned polish seemed a little better, a little more active. We didn't go back to tube feeding her right away because she seemed to be trying to eat I her own. After a few more days her poo became watery again and slowed down her eating.Last night we tube feed her and today she is very lethargic and so weak she keeps falling over. I was thinking she might be diabetic so I gave her some honey water (she had been drinking a lot) she loved the honey water and after drinking it she started walking around no problem. Does anyone have any experience with diabetes in chickens?

Google refeeding syndrome.

-Kathy

 

[windhillmom]

OMG! I just googled (thank you Kathy) re-feeding syndrome. This must have been what happened. I have given her honey water the last two days. Today Polish is up and around and eating her regular crumbles all day long, her poo has looked pretty good too. I was afraid to tube feed her again so we did not do it the last two nights. Now that she has been eating on her own I think we will help to fatten her up again. She is still weak but not falling over like she was. Poor poor thing she has been through so much. I will keep you updated, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

 

[casportpony]

Still researching it myself, but from now on I will not tube food unless I know for sure the bird is properly hydrated. I think some of the articles I read recommended B vitamins, especially niacin, or was it thiamine, I don't remember.

-Kathy

 

[windhillmom]

thiamine

 

[Outpost JWB]

That makes sense. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with your chickens @ochochicas and @windhillmom . This is how I learn

.

 

[casportpony]

thiamine

Thanks... It's something I just heard about and will be doing more research on.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

You might find this interesting:

Quote:

4.6.1. Refeeding syndrome

Severe electrolyte and fluid shifts associated with metabolic abnormalities in malnourished patients undergoing “refeeding”, whether orally, parenterally, or enterally. Phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium shift to intracellular space leading to sudden drops in serum levels.

• Clinical signs are varied, including neurologic dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias
• Do not offer emaciated animals (TS < 1.0) whole food initially
• Always rehydrate animal first
• Give B vitamins
• Give oral electrolytes first
• Tubefeed formula low in carbohydrates, high in fat with adequate protein
• If the patient is digesting the formula, move gradually on to easily digestible solid food

Quote:

Refeeding
syndrome Electrolyte disturbance that may be seen with malnutrition, starvation, or prolonged diuresis. Reintroduction of nutrition leads to a rapid shift of ions from serum to the intracellular space depleting potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, or calcium stores. Avoid refeeding syndrome by introducing food cautiously, monitoring clinical status and electrolytes closely, and supplementing the diet as needed.

-Kathy

 

[ochochicas]

Refeeding syndrome is a major cause of death in horses that have been starved. Most horses are emaciated due to lack of food and rarely have other underlying causes of being malnourished. It makes sense that chickens would need to be hydrated and have electrolytes restored before feeding.