would like a second opinion on whether to keep going with a sick hen

[Anon112]

Thanks...I had one with ascites once and she was very happy living like penguin but I thought it best to have her euthanised. It was not a good decision, she wouldn't let the drugs do their thing and fought it and it took the vet nearly 2 hours to do it

Oof.

 

[azygous]

Since you suspect a form of wry neck, have you tried vitamin E capsules? Treating symptoms can often diagnose or rule out an issue. I always exhaust possible treatments before euthanizing.

Since the symptoms came on suddenly, I would suspect wry neck and treat for that. If it is wry neck, vitamin E usually results in improvement within a day or two.

Also, is it summer there? Heat sickness can also cause these symptoms.

 

[coach723]

Thanks...I had one with ascites once and she was very happy living like penguin but I thought it best to have her euthanised. It was not a good decision, she wouldn't let the drugs do their thing and fought it and it took the vet nearly 2 hours to do it

That suggests that the vet did not do something correctly. I would do it myself and make it instantaneous rather than repeat that.

I would also at least try vitamin therapy. It is not uncommon and sometimes it can happen, even when we think everything has been normal and correct. It's an inexpensive and relatively easy thing to try. I've had birds during or after molt display symptoms that corrected in one or two days with vitamin therapy. If it doesn't work, you will at least know for sure.