Chooks Aloud Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Daisy has been laying softies, we haven't had one for a couple of week now but she is not laying at all. Her comb is red but she is listless and stands still alot. Her tummy is squidgy. I have held her over a steaming bowl and given her warm bath. She has not passed anything. I have just gone out to let the girls out in the garden, picked up Daisy, a gurgling noise happened and suddenly lots of fluid is coming out of her mouth. I held her downwards to let it out, but she is rattling. She walks very slowly is not eating much, if at all, she even refused corn this morning. She has clean knickers but smells of rotten eggs, if this makes sense, especially when the fluid was coming out of her. Has anyone else had this and all advice really appreciated? Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 Forgot to mention they were wormed in February, regularly have ACV in their water, given garlic, poultry spice, cod liver oil, are regularly checked and have no lice. Limestone flour is added to pellets and mixed in with treats. Grit and oyster shell are available in the run too. I really can't think of anything else to do. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Oh dear she doesnt sound well bless her. I think she needs to see a vet asap to be honest, I know today its probably going to be hard but maybe first thing tomorrow? Is she swollen underneath. puffed up? She might have peritonitis... Dont know what the liquid coming out of the mouth is....but it doesnt sound good Im afraid.. If she is rattling could be a sign of respiratory infection which she will definitely need antibiotics. Seems like she has a lot of symptoms all at once which doesnt really point just to one thing Hope she's better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I agree. She sounds as if she is very poorly and beyond home remedies. I would get her seen by a vet asap. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 Thanks, I thought so too, I'll ring in the morning and get her seen. She's with the others at the moment under the bushes in the garden. Bless her. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Sorry to heat that Daisy is unwell. It does sound like peritonitis to me too. An antibiotic will hopefully clear it up. Ask for an injection, followed by a course of tablets. The jab starts working straight away, so should sort her out. Good luck. C x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 On picking Daisy up this afternoon to check her, more fluid just poured out of her beak. Could this be a problem with her crop instead of peritonitis? It smelt awful. Her crop is soft and not overly large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 sour crop does make the mouth smell. I would check her crop area first thing in the morning - it should be empty. Im sorry but I havent dealt with any crop problems before. I would still take her to the vet though if it was me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 I'm going to ring them in the morning, I'm just trying to think of anything it could be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 The smelly knickers made me think peritonitis, but the smelly breath makes me think sour crop. Maybe both? Let us know how she goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 No, she is clear at the rear end, it just smelt when she was bringing up the fluid. Because she's been laying softies, then laying nothing but straining as if she wanted to lay, I thought she had a blockage. Maybe she's got both, poor little thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Not to scare you, but I just lost one with sour crop, Not just but she got blocked the other end and therefore her crop slowed down. It turned sour, I went to the vet but sadly she did not respond to any treatment and was PTS today. yes the loquid pouring out and smell is sour. No home remedy along with vets helped although to give you hope the treatment before WAS successful. Also used oral dactarin but that is sort of 1st sign earliest treatment. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 What did the vet say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 What did the vet say? How is she Chooks Aloud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Took Daisy along to the vets - my usual lady was on holiday so I saw someone else. I don't know, I just get the impression that they are only out to make money some of them. I explained all the symptoms, he had a good look at her and then said she was very ill and had to be admitted to the hospital, where they would do tests i.e. blood, poo, x-ray etc and that it was going to be very expensive. I asked him what was wrong with her to make him say that she was very ill - bearing in mind she'd perked up that morning. He said he didn't know. I asked whether she had peritonitis or a sour crop to which he said that she didn't. But he couldn't tell me what he thought was wrong, as he didn't know. He didn't offer any treatment, other than the really expensive kind mentioned before. He didn't even take her temperature!! I said that I thought she would be better off with me at home with the other chooks. I asked for some antibiotics, which he gave me rather reluctantly. So I went home with a small amount of liquid Baytril (which doesn't look enough to last the week). She's looking much better now - had some grapes, mealworms and a bit of tea and spent the afternoon in the garden sunbathing. When I let the chooks out this morning, she was rearing to go. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Is it not possible just to get antibiotics without going to the vets, as unless you get one who knows about chooks, I really don't find them that helpful? Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 What a shame.....you took her along to the vets and you end up seeing a dummy! poor you. It really annoys me when vets keep going on about the cost (I had this with Bracken my dog recently). I know they must experience a lot of people whose main concern is the cost but its very frustrating when you go in for a diagnosis and you still come out scratching your head but lighter in the pocket! I am pleased to hear she has perked up. If when you run out with the Baytril she is still not 100% I would go back to the vets and ask to speak to someone who deals with poultry (ask on the phone first) if you do go back to the same vets I would also complain about being charged for a consultation (dont pay again) as really you werent really "consulted" in the first session with the vet as you still have no idea what is wrong. I cant believe he kept going on about "how expensive" it was without knowing what was wrong with her!?! Ideally trying to track down a better vet in your area would be good. Maybe ring around now before you need to go back again. I really hope she recovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 ok at the risk of sounding like a know all. I AM NOT A VET. I have however experienced similar to your symptoms, jump in her our experts please. 1. when you tipped her up liquid came out of her mouth . That sounds like sour crop to me. ANYONE ELSE. In the very early stages it doesn't even stink! but soon it is black & foul smelling. ANYONE HAVE SAME OR WAS IT JUST MINE Now sour crop is a fungal OR yeast in origin Needs the right treatment, The Aple CV is good and standard advice is live yoghurt and( bokashi?) or weetabix. I THINK soft food is recommended and best avoid sugary stuff. ORAL DAKTARIN bought from the chemist (sorry if already said that) MIGHT HELP. OR she will need Metronizidil or pref NYSTATIN but vets don't all seem to have this. On top of this the crop may NOT be functoning if there is something wrong with other end. hence needing to know if she had peritonitis which the Baytril should help, my girls dose was 1ml twice daily so a little goes a long way ALTHOUGH you might need up to 10days to clear it. ON top of this any antibiotic is likely to cause a sour crop. It does seem very encouraging that she has perked up & with the Baytril you are strted in the right direction, but pleeeassae watch that crop. I have got all crossed for you. I agree call & speak to your normal vet And complain about that consultation, at the very very least he could have taken her temperature,! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I've been thinking about this because your vet as bugged me! Sometimes I do think some vets are too quick to judge an opinion that all owners just think of chickens as "chickens".....nothing special.....disposable....etc, which is why they try to put owners off by saying this "too expensive" comment. I also think some vets are too quick to put the animal to sleep rather than investigating a problem which might be treatable. (this is my opinion ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 I did ask for a vet who knew about chooks when I phoned and was assured this one did. To be honest I think you just need to find a farm vet. My friend suggested contacting the National Farmers Union as they have helped her in the past with things - I might just go and look them up on the net. I've gained more knowledge from this forum then anywhere else, let alone a vet. They are just not used to dealing with chooks, probably only dealt with them at college and then only the once. He didn't even warn me about egg withdrawal, which I know all about from this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Hi Chooks Aloud, Which vet do you use.... I use Caroline at animed hospital in wickham - she was great, very chook friendly! If you need their details let me know, and seemed cost and prescription sensitive with Xeno repeats etc. we are just around the corner, so if there is anything we can do.... do you want to borrow a spare eglu? Have you tried giving her live maggots just incase there is something nasty inside? there is a live bait place at bursledon behind the riverside chinese. Please let us know how she is doing today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Hi found this. http://www.acstiels.com/Articles/Health/sourcrop.htm You night find some of it useful. Like I really wish I had emptied more or al or most of Moe's crop out. I was sooo worried about her inhaling and killing her, but if ultimately you might lose them with a sour crop.......... oh dear I don't know, then I read a post wher after starting Baytril it clears up... then they say antibiotics can start it. I don't know if I shoulds have let them tube drain her crop or if I did the right thing letting her go. It's just all so distressing isn't it? I do hope you get it sorted soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 TBH tinkering about with catheters is probably best left to the professionals, or at least to those who are very experienced, as it is not without its dangers. Daktarin Gel is useful in cases of sour crop. A pea sized blob into the beak 3 -4 times a day. *Not licensed for use on Poultry in UK and you might want to check with your vet first as the hen is on other treatment. Good luck with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 TBH tinkering about with catheters is probably best left to the professionals, or at least to those who are very experienced, as it is not without its dangers. Daktarin Gel is useful in cases of sour crop. A pea sized blob into the beak 3 -4 times a day. *Not licensed for use on Poultry in UK and you might want to check with your vet first as the hen is on other treatment. Good luck with her. I am glad you said that I thought perhaps I was being whimpy, I was also thinking that if a vet isn't avian specialist they might not think of this option, but i did mean crop massaging myself to empty. It is difficult to know when to go back to the vet if there seems no improvement or how long it should be or is safe to wait. It doesn't sound like chooks aloud is having much joy with the vet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Well Daisy's finished the week's course of anti-biotics and is eating/drinking and doing chickeny things again. However, she is still going off-balance. Her legs seem to go and she has to put her wing down. The vet couldn't tell me anything, except to mention the large bill that would be incurred to take things further, just wondered if anyone has any ideas as to what this could be. I've been looking up Marek/coccidia etc and getting myself worked up. I'm worried for my other girls (can't split them up at all) just in case it is catching. I know that some chickens are more susceptible to catching things than others - I've got 2 speckaldys as well (apparently these are very good hardy breeds and have a higher resistance to ailments than others - so I read on the net - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.) Daisy has a bright comb, clear eyes/nose and eating/drinking. She just loses her balance. She has a good diet with all the extras e.g. poultry spice, limestone flour, cod liver oil, free ranges in the garden a good amount of time and very clean housing/run. Any suggestions please? Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hi LJ I use the Animed centre you mentioned, but unfortunately Caroline was away for 2 weeks so I went and saw someone else in the practice, who they assured me was chicken knowledgable. I'm afraid I was not that impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
