Chicken picking at feet

[gemschooks]

Hi all

 

I've been closely monitoring my two girls for about a week now. It started with meadow having a very pale and shrivelled comb, tail down, dirty knickers and very watery pooh. She had a tummy bug a few weeks ago (prescribed baytril) and symptoms seemed the same. Appetite still good though and quite perky. I gave her a bath, and recommenced on baytril - since then her presentation has been up and down.

 

Then, when getting Meadow in for the evening to keep warm/have closer inspection, I noticed that Scraggy was breathing heavily. Previously only noticed this in bed at night. But now, it is very noticeable during the day. Appetite seemed good, with the exception of today. tail up, and perky-ish. Comb bright red but not purple. However, I've got a feeling she is swollen underneath - difficult to tell as i thought she had just put on weight, and her poohs are tiny things, and i'm wondering if she is straining to get pooh out. I've put her on baytril too even tho this was just because i was petrified of losing her (my other two seemed to deteriorate so quickly) but i half suspected peritonitis.

 

other relevant info.......currently worming them with flubenvet (started yesterday), they have citricidal and chicken tonic in water. They haven't laid a proper egg since last year, there have been two very tiny soft shelled eggs in the past few months.

 

I do plan to take them to the vets as soon as i can, but in the meantime wondered if anybody has any ideas re diagnosis or care - i'm wondering whether to bring them in the house again, or whether this will stress them out more???

 

thanks - any ideas much appreciated.

[Plum]

Sorry to hear they are poorly. Sounds like peritonitus and soft eggs as you say but I don't know just want to wish you well.

[Egluntyne]

They both sound rather poorly.

 

I'd be inclined to take them to the vet tomorrow. The breathing difficulties in particular need veterinary attention. Hens can go downhill very quickly if they get chest infections.

[jos]

Hello,

If Scraggy has a swollen abdomen the the extra fluid could be putting pressure on her lungs and causing breathlesness. And maybe she isn't eating quite as much as usual which could cause small poos.

It may be worht a trip to the vet.

Good luck!

J

[gemschooks]

hi all

 

thanks for the messages - just a quick update from the vets. As meadow was poorly with similar trouble a few weeks back he is concerned and has taken a poo sample for analysis and told me to give baytril. He is very concerned about scraggy and managed to drain some fluid from her abdomen which is swollen. His thoughts are that it could be a tumour or some sort of organ failure. He is going to test the fluid but i've got baytril and diuretic tablets to try and reduce the swelling.

 

vet didn't seem optimistic about either of them

 

thanks again all

[Egluntyne]

Fingers crossed for them both.

[Chucky Mama]

Oh dear, fingers crossed for them both. Out of interest have they been wormed before now and if so what with?

[gemschooks]

hi chucky mama

 

yes i wormed them before with flubenvet - probably a couple of months ago now though, so overdue. perhaps the poo sample will enlighten us!

 

thanks

 

gem

[Plum]

Sorry to hear that, I don't believe there is much that can be done for tumours apart from keeping them free of symptoms if you can. It could be other things though but I beleive none of them have very good outcomes, such as peritonitus or liver failure. Poor little thing. I have a chicken with a lump in her abdomen who is not poorly as yours but I know her time is limited. Hope your Scraggy picks up with the fluid drained off to give her some quality of life for a while.

 

Sorry he is negative about Meadow, hope she can be treated when the specimen comes back.

 

It must be so hard for you at the moment. Hugs from me. x

[gemschooks]

thanks plum and eglutine

 

the vet suggested i think about putting them down, but i wasn't prepared for that, and in any case, unless they seem in pain, i would prefer them to spend their last days at home with some free ranging and tlc from me. I haven't given up on them yet either!! Scraggy is having a review at the vets on friday so i guess he might ask me again

 

I have such fond memories of meadow and scraggy together - they get on so well together and are so sweet. Scraggy is such a confident and assertive little tyke - i never thought she'd be affected by anything! I really hope they pull through.

 

[Plum]

Home is best place for them but you will know when the time is right. xx