Why did my chicken die?

basement chick

Songster
8 Years
May 20, 2015
175
159
181
North Carolina
I'm sorry if this isn't how to do this but I could use answers and support. I have a post in another thread? but not sure how to move it. short story My chicken has a bump on her foot took her to vet and she fell over dead at vet...trying to get some reason she died. RIP 20200406_162136_Film1.jpg
 
The vet didn't have answers? Was it an avian vet? With poultry experience?
You may have more than one lab but the only way to know for sure why she died is to get a necropsy.
Here is one of NC's labs.

Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory North Carolina Department of Agriculture 2101 Blue Ridge Rd Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-6432 Phone: 919-733-3986

It could have been a heart attack or sepsis from the bumblefoot.
 
The vet didn't have answers? Was it an avian vet? With poultry experience?
You may have more than one lab but the only way to know for sure why she died is to get a necropsy.
Here is one of NC's labs.

Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory North Carolina Department of Agriculture 2101 Blue Ridge Rd Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-6432 Phone: 919-733-3986

It could have been a heart attack or sepsis from the bumblefoot.
Hi and thank you for answering. No she was not an avian vet. She is an excellent vet with chickens of her own and studied chickens in vet school although quite some time ago although her daughter is in vet school and was also helping. I knew she was trying to help and not expert. They had drained her wound and flushed it and bandaged it and put her back in her crate. Said she did well and was calm and alert then just fell over. She was 6 years old and no longer laying and had been doing well. I didn't get her back so can't do necropsy. Just looking for a little support. I was aware of risks but she would have suffered and died with the infected foot.
 
I've successfully cured bumblefoot in several birds. I did have a rooster who died from it and after an x-ray it looked like the infection destroyed some of his foot bones.
What did they do with the body that prevents a necropsy?
I raise extremely rare birds that require I know exactly why they died.
 
A 6 year old bird, is an old bird. It could easily have been just too much for him. I don't think it was anyone's fault. Death is a real part of chickens, the hard part. I think his age, plus the infection, there might be a real possibility, that if you had not taken him in to the vet, he would have died at that time anyway. Infections can blow up from a small infection to something circulating the body, and highly and quickly destructive.

Mrs K
 
A 6 year old bird, is an old bird. It could easily have been just too much for him. I don't think it was anyone's fault. Death is a real part of chickens, the hard part. I think his age, plus the infection, there might be a real possibility, that if you had not taken him in to the vet, he would have died at that time anyway. Infections can blow up from a small infection to something circulating the body, and highly and quickly destructive.

Mrs K
Yes She was the oldest girl I've had. She just looked really good and it was so sudden. Now I have one 5 yr old hen who thinks she is a rooster and is a big bully and 3 new pullets I hope will all get along. I just got them 8 days ago and haven't put them together yet. They can see each other but not touch. I still feel bad the one old girl is alone tonight even if she was mean. She can hear the pullets on the other side of the wall at least. She crowed and crowed tonight. I appreciate your help.
 
I am not sure. Probably will be sent with other pets for mass cremation. Does it cost much to have a necropsy done?
It depends on your state. Some places like California, they are free. I usually spend just under $100 each time I have a complete workup and the whole range of lab tests and cultures. It is reassuring that I don't have a communicable disease in the flock which would require specific steps forward to be taken depending on the issue. Without the necropsy, I would be grasping at straws and not knowing exactly what I was dealing with.
One can waste a lot of money and time trying to guess which of the hundred plus things that could kill a chicken was the culprit.
A site like this can be helpful as there are some knowledgeable people and even a few vets among the membership. But trying to diagnose from afar, it is still anybody's guess.
Best bet would be to call the lab I posted to get the price.
 
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