What did you do with your flock today?

[Shetland lover]

Yes, there were complications. It was not just a "get the prolapse back in" surgery like the previous time.

The previous time, the surgery was done with local anesthesia and it lasted 10 minutes.

This one was done with complete anesthesia (inhaled) and lasted 40 minutes.

This is because the doctor examined her prolapsed tissues and found that her oviduct had ruptured. There was a perforation in it. They had to repair that. They called it "tissue amputation".

There was also necrotic tissue from the previous time. She hadn't healed properly, so they removed that, too.

That is why she is having such a hard time recovering.

I've heard different medical criteria but all vets agree in that it is not the best moment to put her through another surgery, that is why they want to wait until she is stable - to make sure that she can survive the castration.

In the meantime, I am terrified, but will do my best to keep alive and not laying.

It sounds like she has chronic laying issues and if her oviduct had ruptured as well the second time, maybe a salpingohysterectomy should have been considered by the vet then? I suppose most people keep hens for their laying abilities so a vet will try to preserve that if possible. The vet course I've recently completed would have definitely suggested it for a hybrid layer with a previous, unhealed prolapse.
I think the advice about not putting her through general surgery now is absolutely correct though. Birds are not the best at surviving under general anaesthesia.
Have you tried keeping her completely in the dark 22-23 hours a day, rather than just at low light levels? I have seen that work to halt laying, alongside feeding a highly restricted, low calcium, low protien diet.
I would be terrified for her too. I know you will do everything you can to help her.

I'm keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers ❤

 

[ChicksnMore]

Hombre is still in our pasture and we are still caring for him. At least till the end of the month. Not sure if he will be staying in that pasture still or moving to greener ones on the other side of the isle. So, I think it just has not hit me yet... when I do think about it I know it is for the better. Hombre deserves young people and I really liked their kindness. My husband CAN NOT get tossed off a horse again, so removing temptation.View attachment 3683426

The bike has been a few months coming. Lots of research and chatter about it. I ride much more than my husband does and he knows I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm really thrilled he is supportive and even instigating this upgrade. Maybe he took out a big life insurance policy out on me I was pretty mad at him for getting hurt again...

I feel like our life got stuck in second gear. Caring for horses takes an enormous amount of time and really has dictated our last 12 years. A lot of fun adventures, but almost a full time job that sucks your money. Even mowing the lawn id have to move the horse trailer by hand that gets old. So, yeah, it's like a new chapter or finally getting into 3rd gear. We will always be able to go visit and even ride. Not my husband though, lol. He's grounded.

Hombre is beautiful. You have such a good attitude that I'm sure you're making a good choice. How's hubby doing?

 

[ChicksnMore]

Yes, there were complications. It was not just a "get the prolapse back in" surgery like the previous time.

The previous time, the surgery was done with local anesthesia and it lasted 10 minutes.

This one was done with complete anesthesia (inhaled) and lasted 40 minutes.

This is because the doctor examined her prolapsed tissues and found that her oviduct had ruptured. There was a perforation in it. They had to repair that. They called it "tissue amputation".

There was also necrotic tissue from the previous time. She hadn't healed properly, so they removed that, too.

That is why she is having such a hard time recovering.

I've heard different medical criteria but all vets agree in that it is not the best moment to put her through another surgery, that is why they want to wait until she is stable - to make sure that she can survive the castration.

In the meantime, I am terrified, but will do my best to keep alive and not laying.

O that's hard. You know in a sense she's a very lucky little hen. Very very lucky to have you on her side and willing to try so hard for her. Bless you. Still keeping you both in my thoughts and hoping for her recovery.

 

[Smokerbill]

I'm out of scratch grains for my chickens, so I ordered a 40# bag from Walmart yesterday. I combined the order with one more item I needed to get the total up to $35 so it would be shipped for free. Pretty amazing that a 40# bag would be shipped for free. It arrives tomorrow.

 

[Nomadicus]

I just bought 6 50lb bags of scratch on top of 20 bags of 27% game bird. No Walmart here but a really good Farmer's Co Op. Now I 'm not sure what is going on in my incubator. I put the eggs in lock down but now not sure of the day. Well while out this morning getting re acquainted with my flocks on smart A little hooligan decided to hatch. From the patter it looks like a Dark Cornish. A whole lot of the kids stayed close to ma this morning but a few stayed under my feet to be daddy's girls still.

 

[PopoMyers]

Hops doing ok so far. His whole focus is on trying to stand. Unfortunately he rolls onto his bad side a bit and kicks with his one leg so he ends up spinning circles. I'm worried that legs going to splay because it's never up under him, but ends up jutting to the side. So I made him a sleeping bowl using my shredded paper and it keeps his body and leg in the right position and lets him excersize it. He's propping his wing up on the edge of the bowl on his bad side and bounces up and down with all his heart. As long as I can get him to eat he should have a strong leg soon, and in the right position to give him a chance of standing on his own.

I turned my empty incubator into a brooder box for him since he can't move in and out of a heat lamp. So he's got a stable temp to help him. Every couple hours I hold him for a bit to try to get food and water in him. His focus is all on standing though and he's not pecking or trying to eat at all. So syringe feeding him after giving him time and encouragement to self feed. He seems to be handling that well and so far no oops aspiration .

I don't feel any movement from that lump in his abdomen but I don't know if that means his foots not moving or if it just means it's too deep to feel anything except that it's there. Hope it's not moving.

I haven't done any reading yet to see if I can find any cases of birds like him. I can't even imagine how that happened and he made it to hatch. But so far he's still a vigorous baby. He's a little messy from my feedings and still trying to stick that foot sideways, but he loves standing with a little help.View attachment 3683127

I would entrust you to care for any sick or injured pet, 100%. Your experiences are invaluable for all the information and help that you can share with us who may have the need for ours. If dogs and cats can make it without 2 legs, your little just might, with your expert care.

 

[PopoMyers]

Hombre is still in our pasture and we are still caring for him. At least till the end of the month. Not sure if he will be staying in that pasture still or moving to greener ones on the other side of the isle. So, I think it just has not hit me yet... when I do think about it I know it is for the better. Hombre deserves young people and I really liked their kindness. My husband CAN NOT get tossed off a horse again, so removing temptation.View attachment 3683426

The bike has been a few months coming. Lots of research and chatter about it. I ride much more than my husband does and he knows I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm really thrilled he is supportive and even instigating this upgrade. Maybe he took out a big life insurance policy out on me I was pretty mad at him for getting hurt again...

I feel like our life got stuck in second gear. Caring for horses takes an enormous amount of time and really has dictated our last 12 years. A lot of fun adventures, but almost a full time job that sucks your money. Even mowing the lawn id have to move the horse trailer by hand that gets old. So, yeah, it's like a new chapter or finally getting into 3rd gear. We will always be able to go visit and even ride. Not my husband though, lol. He's grounded.

Falling is not an option for us, and I'll need to ground my DH from ladders soon, though he hasn't fallen yet, I don't want him to ever have that accident. Not getting any younger.

So glad you can go visit and ride Hombre, and you can shift into a new gear, especially on your new ride! Excited for your new adventures! Less fixing for you, too!

 

[PopoMyers]

Progress report, Day 11. She has attempted to also preen a little. Good signs, though she can't reach her oil gland just yet.

 

[ValerieJ]

Progress report, Day 11. She has attempted to also preen a little. Good signs, though she can't reach her oil gland just yet.

She is looking great! Good work!!!

 

[TropicalBabies]

Hombre is beautiful. You have such a good attitude that I'm sure you're making a good choice. How's hubby doing?

Well, I'm not as mad at hubby lately poor guy. He is getting better and is slightly ahead of schedule. He is certainly accident prone. I can count the times I have seen him tossed off a horse on 2 hands (🖐). Also, slide off a roof, scaffolding, ladders etc. Somewhere along the line i just started getting mad at him.