What did Betty die from?

[shady chickens]

Hello. Some of you may remember my post from back in October, discussing my lethargic Betty, thin and feverish. Well, she got better, gained all her weight back and seemed to be acting normal, but she always kept her red, scaley swollen butt. The vet never knew what was wrong with her. Couldn't find anything on xray or in stool.

So tonight I came home from work, went directly to the coop to collect the eggs and check on the girls, and little Betty was dead on the floor, apparently she fell right off the perch. She was still warm, so I knew it must have just happened.

So I have two questions: Does anyone know how to get the state of NJ to perform a necropsy? and Has anyone ever seen a big red bum on a chicken before?

she was a black-barred rock, about 22 months old. none of the other chickens have any health problems that I can tell. all their bums are fluffy with feathers and seemingly normal. I have (had) 10 chickens and usually got 7 or 8 eggs/day.

Thanks

Shady Chickens

 

[countryboy]

i just dropped in to say i'm sorry you lost her. i dont know the answer to your question

 

[sammi]

do you have an extension service in your county?
they could give you the information..

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[jjthink]

I'm so sorry - poor Betty.

Re: your question about necropsy, give a call to the state Department of Agriculture. This is the number to the Animal Health division - they can probably direct you: 609-292-3965. Ag's website is at www.state.nj.us/agriculture

Take care. JJ

Edited for rotten spelling.

 

[shady chickens]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness and kind words. I called the vet today, and she hooked me up with the state dept of ag. I'm just concerned that i'm opening a whole new can of worms, so to speak. I don't want any trouble, and i don't want my town's dept of health involved. we like our private world. All the other girls seem fine. aghh...

but whatever i do, i'll let ya'll know.

 

[shady chickens]

A woman from the State Dept of Agriculture picked up Betty today for her necropsy, and swabbed the rest of my flock for AI. We should know the results by tomorrow.

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
I know what you mean... but at the same time, it could really save you and other people headaches and heartaches in the future. If there is a terrible problem, like bird flu (for instance), it is better to have it "taken care of" now instead of having it spread all over the place. I know it totally sucks... I've had the same worries as you, but chances are, it is not going to be a huge problem. Besides, it gives you piece of mind when you know exactly why your bird died. Having this necropsy done may very well save the rest of your flock.
I'm sorry about your loss of Betty.

 

[shady chickens]

Betty was not contagious. This was clear to me for a while, since she has not been well since early fall, and the other chickens are quite well. I had posted a thread back in October, when we were treating her for her unknown illness.

The State Dept called today with the results of the necrposy. Betty had salpingitis. At some point, bacteria crawled up her ovaduct and infected her, creating a rather large pus-filled mass. Normally there is a protective cilia that prevent the bacteria from going the wrong way, but the vet said it can be destroyed sometimes when the bird gets a virus, most likely early in life. The virus destroys the cilia, leaving the bird vulnerable. The infection was so severe that she ruptured an ovaduct. Poor Betty. That sounds painful. Humans can get salpingitis too, in the fallopian tubes.

Anyway. I feel bad for her, but the vet who called me said there was nothing we could have done for her. She's had a naked red butt for a while. I'm not sure if that's the only reason a chicken would present with an enlarged bum, but at least if there is a next time, we'll know what it might be.

I hope this helps someone else who might have a chicken with the same problem.

 

[chickaboo7]

I'm so sorry for you and Betty but now you know and thanks for sharing all this with us. I think we learned something new today.