What Can Go Wrong When a Hen Is Drained?

[MyHappyGirls]

Ohhh Man.... sending you and your girls' lots of love and healing <3 <3 My hens love any type of bread! I have crushed the antibiotics up with applesauce and given orally with a syringe. It's a good sign that she is drinking the electrolyte water on her own I hope she pulls through Don't worms sometimes cause soft-shelled eggs?

 

[SusanMarieYork]

Oh no Clare do not give up on her. If she has too much fluid in her then you might look into giving her Furosemide. That will help her kidneys and reduce fluid. I gave my hen this and an implant with antibiotics and Meloxicam for inflammation and pain. Your baby can get better she just needs care and love. Be patient and don't give up. I have been taking my girls to an avian specialists and they keep on truckin. I found it cheaper in the long run as they get right to the issue with correct treatment.

 

[SusanMarieYork]

I have one avian that implants by the neck and another avian vet that implants under the wing. She does under the wing as not to hit the air sac by the neck.

 

[Rugbygainz]

Check the seven year old's crop and make sure she is getting grit. It could be an age thing but if they both have some of these symptoms it could be they need more calcium.
The thing you said about baytril being banned is sad as it is still available here, i suspect it is because the eggs become unconsumable. Baytril can do wonders... Giving calcium to the 7 year old would be good as it would help her laying and shell building.
Also on another note, I had a very stressed chicken and found that quickly and efficiently giving her her medication was less stressfull as the whole proccess would take under a minute. When I was at my vet's(who is an avian specialist), He just grabbed the chickens head while i held her just like in the video just more firmly and administered 2 different antibiotics and nystatin in under a minute, making the whole thing easy on the chicken.
Thought i would throw out some ideas, I really do wish you and your chickens the best I know how this can be and how it can make you feel almost powerless at times. Do your best to help them but sometimes it just is their time. <3

 

[ClareScifi]

My 7 year old hen seems back to normal today.

I'm going to contact Henny's previous owner and see whether she can take her to her vet. I'm frustrated that my vet didn't try to help me administer the pills. I think he has given up on her. Sadly, this morning she took her pill, which I had crushed in water so well! But then she started twisting her neck madly. I thought she was going into seizures! Terrifying! I picked her up and carried her out into the yard, slightly tipping her in the process, going under the gate. She regurgitated a lot of egg colored sticky stuff, with soft cat food mixed in. I'm sure she regurgitated all the antibiotic, as it was at the top. So that was all in vain... But she stopped the neck twisting and seemed a bit better and drank her oregano drink and pecked at some watermelon. What do you think caused the neck jerking? Overly full crop, drowning in liquid?
Do you think it is true no vet would give her an injection? She's very think barely holding on, but she wants to eat. Slight amount of poop on her pillow from last night, runny. She loved the pillow wrapped in a blanket. Thanks to the person who suggested this.

 

[LittlePip21]

My 7 year old hen seems back to normal today.

I'm going to contact Henny's previous owner and see whether she can take her to her vet. I'm frustrated that my vet didn't try to help me administer the pills. I think he has given up on her. Sadly, this morning she took her pill, which I had crushed in water so well! But then she started twisting her neck madly. I thought she was going into seizures! Terrifying! I picked her up and carried her out into the yard, slightly tipping her in the process, going under the gate. She regurgitated a lot of egg colored sticky stuff, with soft cat food mixed in. I'm sure she regurgitated all the antibiotic, as it was at the top. So that was all in vain... But she stopped the neck twisting and seemed a bit better and drank her oregano drink and pecked at some watermelon. What do you think caused the neck jerking? Overly full crop, drowning in liquid?
Do you think it is true no vet would give her an injection? She's very think barely holding on, but she wants to eat. Slight amount of poop on her pillow from last night, runny. She loved the pillow wrapped in a blanket. Thanks to the person who suggested this.

Poor girl! This definetly sounds like late ascites to me. It's exactly what My affected hens did soon before they passed. Im so sorry I would spend time with her, tell her you love her, and just make her comfortable as possible. I'll be praying she's not in any pain for you, I know how hard this is. This reminds me of my last girl, when she finally passed away after six months of care. She was so happy, even right before she fell asleep.It sounds like you've gone above and beyond for her, I'm sure she knows it too. I share your frustration about the vet, our nearest practice won't even look at a hen. It seems like their not being open and honest with you, which is unfortunate, I hope you'll have better luck with vets in the future. I'll be praying you guys.

 

[ClareScifi]

I called another vet, and they said they, do, indeed give antibiotic injections, just not Baytril. However, I get the feeling they really want my money, talking blood tests, surgery, etc., and not even suggesting the possibility of late ascites and that there may be nothing that can be done to reverse it at this point. They did tell me not to give her the penicillin crushed in water, which the other vet didn't seem to have a problem with. This vet said it would taste terrible and not be good for her in that way. However, I have no way to know who is telling the truth and who is just telling me what they think I want to hear.

 

[Rugbygainz]

The neck movements are definitely from a full crop.
I am sorry to hear all of this hastle, and I agree with you, it seems like there is some dishonesty. I have two vets in my country that will look at chickens, and luckily in my experiences with them they really have always wanted the best for the chickens. But like the above poster said, give her love! she is eight years old and by the sound of it has definetly lived a good life as you seem to really care alot. You really did the best you could, you took her to two different vets, you went on a forum to ask for advice, and i guarantee she will feel this love in one way or the other.
Do keep us updated, I was happy to hear the other hen was doing better.

 

[LittlePip21]

I called another vet, and they said they, do, indeed give antibiotic injections, just not Baytril. However, I get the feeling they really want my money, talking blood tests, surgery, etc., and not even suggesting the possibility of late ascites and that there may be nothing that can be done to reverse it at this point. They did tell me not to give her the penicillin crushed in water, which the other vet didn't seem to have a problem with. This vet said it would taste terrible and not be good for her in that way. However, I have no way to know who is telling the truth and who is just telling me what they think I want to hear.

Did they say how much it would cost? I'm fortunate to have another practice near me that seems to really care, and barely charges anything compared to other clinics. I agree with @Rugbygainz you've done so much for her I'm sure she knows that, you guys have been on my mind and in my prayers. By the way, does her crop feel unusually full, squishy or hard, or anything like that? And the vets, did they say how much all those things would cost? My practice I go to now will give you a ballpark over the phone. I can tell you care a lot about you girl, I'm glad that she has such a good owner

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Clare

I'm so sorry that you are feeling distressed and frustrated.
As I understood it, the vet you visited most recently, felt that it was time to put her to sleep and although I can't see her, from your description, it sounds like the time may have come to let her go. The vet cannot force you to have her euthanized, so I don't think you can say he was being dishonest in not helping you more. I imagine he/she feels that they gave you their opinion and you chose not to take it.... I understand why... because you want hope..... but the vet doesn't seem to think there is any. Yes they gave you the antibiotics but that is probably just to pacify you so that you leave with something to do to try to help her.
I really don't know if it is possible to inject antibiotics into an emaciated chicken or not but I would have no reason to disbelieve a vet if they told me that. Giving them orally, when her crop is not functioning is just stressing you and her by the sound of it. Maybe it is time to stop fighting death and help her through it.

So pleased that the other one is looking brighter.