4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[jos]

Hi,

A little while ago I posted about Lollipop, one of my ex batts, who was plainly not very well but still eating and drinking. She was put on a course of anti biotics by the vet, who couldn't find anything specifically wrong with her, and had a multi vitamin jab. However, none of that made too much difference. She'd be looking quite poorly one minute ie, standing on one leg, hunched, eyes closed etc.... and then she'd suddenly wake up, potter about, have a bit to eat and then look poorly again!

This has gone for over 2 months now and she is sleeping more and more, she is also a little bit wobbly, lost some weight and her comb is going a little purple.

So I guess she is suffering from heart failure and is gradually just getting more and more tired.

But heres my problem. Do I just let her go on getting weaker or do I take her to the vet and have her put to sleep.

I even had an appointment booked for this afternoon but when I got home from work I sat her on my knee and gave her a meal of mash, grapes and meal worms which she ate with relish, then she had a drink and promptly fell asleep! So I thought if she can still enjoy a good meal and a lovely cuddle perhaps I shouldn't be thinking of the vet, so I cancelled the appointment.

I truly don't know what to do for the best. I am quite sure she is not in pain but then neither is she well.

Opinions would be much appreciated.

Edited December 11, 2008 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

Maybe the vet could check her over again and advise before you make a decision.

[chickenanne]

It's very difficult with any pet to make decisions like that.

Does she have much quality of life? Is the suffering enough such that the pleasure she does take in things are outweighed by it?

If it was springtime, then I'd probably be more inclined to let her go on for a bit longer, as it's a far nicer time to be a chicken (well, I imagine it is!). I would watch her as much as you can for the next few days, and see if she appears to be miserable none/some/most of the time.... decide from that how much she is suffering as compared to what pleasure she takes from life.

[jos]

just to say lollipop died peacefully this morning. She was very sleepy when I opened the house first thing so I wrapped her up and brought her into the house. I had to go to work and when I came back she was still in a deep but seemingly untroubled sleep and then she quite suddenly lifted her face into the sun and slipped away.

Dear Lollipop was the most feathered ex batt when we picked them up in the spring, so, I guess she had fought well for her little bit of space in those cages. And then she was determined not to give in to her ill health, staying alive, eating, drinking and generally enjoying life on the outside right to the end.

Rest In Peace my gorgeous and brave little fighter.

[mostin]

I'm so sorry to hear about your lollipop,

 

crying my eyes out as I read this as I lost my prissy today too. It feels awful I know, but you gave her such a lovely life compared to what she had, and what a lovely peaceful way to go.

 

huge hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[jos]

Thanks, Mostin, and I am so sorry about little prissy. What a sad day. xx

[alih]

very sorry to hear your news but as you say she had a wonderful last few months and passed on peacefully. sad times

[dancing cloud]

So sorry to hear about Lollipop . Lots of ((hugs)) to everyone to has lost hens recently.

[sandyhas3chucks]

very sorry to hear your news but as you say she had a wonderful last few months and passed on peacefully. sad times

thinking of all of you with losses. xx

[Egluntyne]

Only just seen this. Very sorry to hear the news.

[WitchHazel]

So sorry to hear about Lollipop and Prissy.

[Janty]

Sorry to hear about your losses.

 

Best wishes to you both,

 

Jan