Maccbean Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 My Legbar has not been right for at least two weeks or longer, but examination came up with nothing. Her crop has been wilting and going dark red and grey in colour, she is losing feathers from round her neck but I haven't found any in the run. As I am writing this, I think I have a realisation, I think she must be eating them, as she has a huge lump that now includes her crop and right round across her shoulder (she didn't have this a few days ago when I examined her again then). If it is feathers in her crop, it is big and quite hard now. My vets don't know about birds, so they can't help. Please, any advice to a panicking woman would be very greatfully received. Thanks Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Sorry to hear that . I don't have first hand experience but wondered if you'd read this? Might help you diagnose if it is an impacted crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 best advice is to find a vet that does know! use the vet search or look in recommeded vets. 2 weeks is awful long time for a bird to be ill and NOT see any vet, they all cover basic stuff at college! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Oh dear she doesn't sound well bless her. Unfortunately Debbie I haven't had any experience of crop problems here (*touches wood*). It sounds like something that does require veterinary attention though. I would maybe ring around your local area or perhaps ask the vet you have already spoken to if they know anyone with avian experience. I hope she gets well soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 If she has impacted crop, it is vital to get water into her as hens can dehydrate very quickly. Using a syringe without a needle, drip water onto the top of her beak and this should encourage her to drink. If the crop is completely blocked, then she will dehydrate. She needs to see a vet asap IMO. They will probably put a tube down her throat to try and get rid of some of the contents of her crop. Feeding live maggots can help, as they tunnel through the blocked mass and help loosen things up. Good luck with her. Will keep my fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 how is she this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccbean Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 I'm now sure its an impacted crop. I rang round all my local vets, and couldn't find any with poultry experience. I have seen various ways to try and treat it, so gave oil and massaged last night and this morning. I also gave water this afternoon. We'll see how she is in the morning, but I am just going to carry on. Thanks Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 live maggots, live maggots and more. Wet food only apple puree very good. Try offering sweetened water to encourage drinking lots oh and more live maggots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Live maggots and then when eating probiotic yogurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 budgies and parrots can get impacted crops too, does your vet turn them away as well? good luck with the treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Afraid I don't know where macclesfield is but just did a search here. http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/System/FAVSearch.asp?NodeID=89660&FAVSearchType=2&parentsiteid=89624 & it came up with 100 vets that deal with Poulrty and I put birds. I redid with just Poultry and it rejigged but still spat out 100, although a post code would give a better indication, of whether any are near or not but I do know a few of us travel 45 mins to an hour to see a good vet! I do hope this is help ful. Also when feeding ready brek and apple puree very wet I put a little olive oil in to.and you guessed it...... more maggots! FLIP just remembered some one was told lactulose for impacted crop, I believe you can get it at a chemist and def online! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not disagreeing with you Sandy, but Lactulose is a laxative for humans and a very effective one (not personal experience I hasten to add, but family members have had it prescribed to treat side effects of morphine-based medication). I'd be very wary/careful of giving it to chickens (dosage?) although I guess the logic is that it will dissolve the impaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 It was suggested by a well known poultry specialist. I read up on this versus liquid parafin(also given/used by some vets ) given to children for constpation. And yes you are right, the children had more side effects and cramps from this than Liquid parafin. It might be a good time to remind everyone that we are not vets, and from personal experience the vet IS the best place to go, hence looking for one near Macclesfield AND after 2 weeks the animal welfare act springs to mind. We can only help as best we can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Lactulose works by drawing water towards it through the gut wall, thereby softening the gut contents and making it easier to move on. Doesn't work so well if the host is already dehydrated. (Much human constipation is cause by insufficient water intake.) Liquid paraffin greases everything. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccbean Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 I must stress that she has been a bit off colour for two weeks, not actually ill (I would not leave her being ill). She has eaten and drunk plenty of water during this time, it is only over the past couple of days that she has been ill, and her crop has become noticeable. The search for a vet on the website you looked at did not come up with one in the same town, most of them on the first page being over an hour away. TBH I cannot afford £100 to have my chicken operated on (which is what research has thrown up). This doesn't mean I don't care about my chicken, of course I do. Anyway, I have given her natural probiotic yoghurt alone this morning, and she has eaten plenty of it. I'm now off to get some maggots. Thanks for the advice. Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Good that the problem has been diagnosed and you are sorting it Debbie. I wish you all the best and hope she makes a full recovery. Crop problems can be tricky, but mine has made good progress with yoghurt No one is saying that you don't care. You wouldn't have posted if you didn't Fingers crossed she is much better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 thank goodness for that I have been worrying that she has been ill for 2 weeks. A good vet may not necessarily operate. Crop draining CAN be done while awake, the vet would have for mine(though it was a sour crop) I used to be maggot phobic. Not now It will naturally depend on why it is blocked but the wigglers worming their way down wards really help. Any reason why liquid parafin would be any better than olive oil jimnpaula? Am assuming it would work in the same way? that fluid is Soooooo important isn't it? the best bit about catching ot when they are NOT ill is that they actually will eat and drink, no forcing dripping in required. Did read def no pellets(who knows where) as they bung up more, just wet foods. good luck with the maggots they will all love em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
