house-elf Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 can anyone help ? My Betty died a few weeks ago and since then I have been pondering as to whether the vet was correct in his diagnosis...heres what happened... Betty started to be quiet and not getting as much involved with the other two girls. It was during that really hot weather, and as she was still eating - although less - i thought she was suffering from the heat. Whenever they were let out to roam, although she would come out of the run, she still didn't seem that interested, not bug hunting etc. I started spraying her with water to help cool her down, and she would perk up and start scratching around. I gave them a frozen corn on the cob and she happily devoured it with the others. I kept checking her over and her vent looked as it should, no fleas/lice etc and she looked very glossy and healthy. The other thing I did notice was that her comb was a purply red colour, but more red. The breeder I got her off said that she wasn't oxygenated enough, probably due to being so hot. Other than that she looked the picture of health - no funny walking etc. After 2 days of being like this I checked her over again and nothing, so I decided to take her the vets, but less than 5 minutes of getting things together for her and getting her out to put in the carrier, she had died ! I took her to work anyway and the vet did a pm and said she had egg peritonitis, that it wasn't infectious and there was nothing i could have done. Anyway I have been doing some research and her symptoms don't really fit with egg peritonitis...what do you think ? She was about 23 weeks, I think and hadn't laid her first egg. She was also thin according to the vet - i did think she was thin, but i just thought she was the smallest and daintest of the three - matilda is tall, and betty is wider than the others. Any thoughts would be good, sorry for the rambling...Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I dont know about egg peritonitis, but my vet this mornng said the problem with "prey creatures" like chooks is that they tend not to show any symptoms til they are seriously ill because any sign of weakness automatically marks them out. so it is unlikely that you could have done much... sorry about Betty, I've just lost my 2nd to mystery illness in 8 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I'd be inclined to believe the results of the post mortem. There is more than one type of peritonitis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear that. My Phoebe was very poorly a couple of weeks ago, and after several trips to several vets she was diagnosed with a 'low grade' peritonitis i.e a low lying infection, as she has been having an ongoing soft egg problem for some time and after 2 wks on antibiotics she is (hopefully) herself again. However, if it had been a full blown peritonitis the vet said she would have died within days, equally if she hadn't had the antibiotics she may not still be here. I hope thats helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Sorry to hear that house elf. Septic peritonitis can make they very ill very quickly. Chickens hide illness well to avoid being picked on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
house-elf Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 thanks for all your replies, I feel abit better now. At least I know what to look for next time - hopefully there won't be a next time ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
