Weight Loss, large swelling UPDATE 9/2 Baytril Question

[Casey3043]

No, it's not her crop, at least I don't think so. It's large enough to cup with your hand, but the rest of her body is very thin. I will try to answer the questions.

1) What type of bird , age and weight. Golden Comet, 2 yr old hen. Estimated weight 2-3 lbs. Too low, I know! Breastbone very prominent.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Not as energetic, (she is the alpha hen), looks scruffy and poor. No parasites, no feather loss.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. NO
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Just noticed a few days ago, no specific event.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. They get Purina Layena pellets, free choice oyster shell, and have access to 50 X 100 ft. garden and yard with grass and other greens. Interested in treats to some extent. Gave Cottage cheese and watermelon today to see if she would eat. She did, but went right past the hard boiled egg I sprinkled on it.
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Can't tell which is hers, but have seen no bloody or runny poop.
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? No specific treatment, just trying to spark her appetite with treats etc.
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Treat myself
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use. 6 X 8 Coop with 5 other hens at night. 24 hr. access to food and water in run but roosts in coop. Aspen shavings for floor, about 6 inches deep.

Thinking on it, I'm not sure she is swallowing much. She pecks at the watermelon, and I watched closely to see if I could see her swallow, but I can't tell. There is nothing different or unusual that she could have been eating that would cause her to be crop bound. Will go out right now a try to get a picture to add.

OK I got the picture. When I went back out there, she was still working on the watermelon and all the others had wandered off. Also, forgot to say her comb flopped over a couple days ago. It always used to stand up straight.

 

[mypicklebird]

That looks like it is on the right, which is the location of the crop. Likely she has an impacted crop, which is best dealt with as a surgery- removal of the material- usually straw or other non digestible material. Your best bet is a vet. Do it yourself flushing is not usually very effective to break apart a matt of straw, and home job surgery is fraught with peril- though is can be done. If you withhold food overnight, and that swelling is still there- the crop is not emptying (if it is the crop). What does it feel like when you squeeze that (gently)?

 

[Casey3043]

Soft, full, rounded. Near as I can tell, it's right in the center. She worked on the watermelon for quite a while, and just now when I went out there, she came to see what I had brought. I will take their food out of the run tonight and see whether the swelling goes down overnight. I don't use straw, and there is none around for her to have eaten.

There is an avian vet in town but I don't know whether he does chickens. I will call tomorrow.

Thanks for your response.

CASEY

 

[Casey3043]

Yay! The avian vet here in town does see chickens! I have an appt. at 8:50. Her crop/swelling had not gone down overnight. She was up and walking, but not interested in the food when I brought it back into the run this a.m. The others all fell on it with glad cries, as they usually come out of the coop and eat in the morning before I let them out of the run for the day.

Will let you know how it comes out. Hope this doesn't cost a lot of $$$$, but Victoria is my favorite and also the alpha hen.

CASEY

 

[Casey3043]

She's staying at the vet's for today---I may get her back tonight or tomorrow. They are going to try to empty her crop, but they think there might be a blockage farther down. They are starting her on fluids and antibiotics, as her white count is up. They said was being a good patient---thank goodness she's not real skittish. Also she doesn't feel good, which calms her down.

She's going to be the most valuable chicken ever when I get done paying for this!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Good luck! You are so lucky to have an avian vet! we don't have one in our whole state.

 

[Casey3043]

Update: the vet has been treating her with antibiotics and fluids. She is eating and drinking, but not enough. She is still losing weight.Nothing shows on the x-ray as far as a foreign object in her crop or intestines. The vet wants to do crop surgery tomorrow, so I guess that will happen unless there is a big turnaround during the night.

My son said, "That chicken isn't worth that much money."
I said, "She is now."

 

[jessejames]

i am just about to post about seemingly the same problem except i havent noticed weight lose yet. please keep us posted as to her condition and treatment. though it looks like im gonna be doing some surgery this weekend.
thanks

 

[Casey3043]

No surgery for Victoria!! They decided there was no impaction, but don't really know why she has lost all the weight and why things didn't seem to be moving through her. They ruled out a lot of things, but never came up with a definite diagnosis. The vet sent her home today on 3 antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. Her crop size is much reduced, and she is eating and drinking and pooping well. I have her weight as of this morning and I am to weigh her each day and make sure she is gaining weight. She will be rechecked at the vet's on Monday.

She ate well when she got home and settled down for the night in a large dog crate in the workshop. She is supposed to be kept away from the others and I am trying to figure out how to let her have fresh air and sunshine without mixing with the other birds or the dogs.

 

[kathyinmo]

Oh my, 3 antibiotics. What antibiotics are they, and what are they for? Glad to know she is better!