Unsecure chicken perches

[bridgy chooks]

Just wondering if someone could help!

 

One of my girls is poorly (she's 4 years old). I took her to the vet a couple of days ago (not a poultry specialist) and he said he thought she might have some kind of bronchitis/virus. This despite the fact that she has no nasal discharge and the only obvious symptom would be that apparently her chest is a bit rattly, oh and she's lost her voice - is more whispering than making her normal chicken noises. He said no point in giving antibiotics as probably a virus. He felt her all over and said no tumours etc.

 

However, I've realised that after a spell of laying mainly soft eggs she probably hasn't laid for a while - unless my other chicken is eating them in the run before I get to them (which she does do).

 

This morning she is worse, sat down rather than stood up and not eating even treats that I offer her. She is also flexing her vent a lot and her poos are really watery. I'm thinking she may have peritonitis (having googled it and looked at posts on here). Vet didn't suggest this and to be fair to him she did a 'normal' poo when she was on his table so perhaps the symptoms weren't that obvious.

 

Any thoughts? Most importantly, is there anything I can do to help her? She's looking really sad and has definitely gone down hill since yesterday

[Chucky Mama]

I am a little suprised that he didn't cover her with antibiotics. If he gave her a full exam he should have been able to detect peritonitis but I guess that depends how experienced he was. Having said that if it was wet peritonitis the fluid would have been pretty obvious. I would phone the vet to discuss how she is. As she is 'under his care' he may precribe antibiotics and should be able to do so without seeing her. Sorry, don't know what else to suggest as she has already been examined.

[lillybettybabs]

My Lilly has the same symtoms,

I think it was a secondary infection as she had a rattly chest over a week ago(now cleared up).

She is on a 7 day of course of Baytril, This is her third day and her appetite has picked up.

Poops are slowly getting better (they were just water on Monday) and she has started to protest at being picked

up (which is a good sign for Lilly) .

I would take her back to the vets (maybe find one who knows a little more about chickens?)

[The Dogmother]

I haven't seen her myself, so can't really comment, but if she has peritonitis, then it is pretty obvious as her abdomen will be distended and full of fluid - it will feel like a balloon full of water,

 

lillybettybabs, I see that you're in Banbury - take your hen to West Bar vets to see either Clive Madeiros or David Shepherd; they are both avian experts. I am local to you, so feel free to shout if you need any help.

[lillybettybabs]

I haven't seen her myself, so can't really comment, but if she has peritonitis, then it is pretty obvious as her abdomen will be distended and full of fluid - it will feel like a balloon full of water,

 

lillybettybabs, I see that you're in Banbury - take your hen to West Bar vets to see either Clive Madeiros or David Shepherd; they are both avian experts. I am local to you, so feel free to shout if you need any help.

Thanks Claret , I go to Crofts in Brackley, Two of the vets are very good with Chickens, but it's good to know

theres some experts in the area if i get stuck.

[The Dogmother]

A friend who lives in Brackley takes hers to Crofts and says that it's a bit it and miss as to who you see, and whether they know owt about chooks.

 

I very rarely take mine to the vet, dealing with most things at home, but those two vets at West Bar are excellent - Clive in particular - he's the country's leading avian expert and lectures all over the world.... about emus and ostriches in particular.

[bridgy chooks]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

I've just taken her to a vet a bit further away who is a farm animal specialist and he has diagnosed peritonitis

 

She pooed whilst she was on his table and he's collected a sample just to check for any other kind of bacteria in case our other chicken needs treating. He has put her on baytril and also given her a liquid wormer and I have a course of both of them. He said that the prognosis isn't good but as she struggled during her examination and got a bit cross when he was trying to syringe baytril down her she was obviously a fighter, it was worth trying some antibiotics.

 

I'm in such a state about it, it's ridiculous how we get so attached isn't it! Just wish I'd found the 'expert' vet sooner, she might have had more chance then.

[lillybettybabs]

[Chucky Mama]

Just wish I'd found the 'expert' vet sooner, she might have had more chance then.

Don't beat yourself up hon, I doubt it would have made a huge difference. It is difficult to treat. Have my fingers crossed for you.

[The Dogmother]

Just wish I'd found the 'expert' vet sooner, she might have had more chance then.

Don't beat yourself up hon, I doubt it would have made a huge difference. It is difficult to treat. Have my fingers crossed for you.

 

Same here, peritonitis is hard to treat, and although some of the symptoms can be alleviated, I'm afraid that it is a one-way street

 

Good luck.

[bridgy chooks]

Do you think I should put her out of her suffering asap?

 

I hate to see her squashed in the corner of the run looking miserable, it's not how I want to remember her either.

[The Dogmother]

The problem with peritonitis is that the build up of fluid in the abdomen puts pressure on their vital organs, making breathing and other basic functions difficult.

 

In the past, I have let them be while I think that they are still comfortable, then despatched the hen when it becomes apparent that their quality of life is affected. It's a hard thing to do, but the kindest.

I still cry if I have to despatch a hen of mine.

 

Try to remember her as she was when she was healthy and whole. Look up the Rainbow Bridge verse.

[Chucky Mama]

Do you think I should put her out of her suffering asap?

 

I hate to see her squashed in the corner of the run looking miserable, it's not how I want to remember her either.

 

I always say it is about the quality of life not the length. If she is miserable you may have to make that awful decision. If there is fluid in there the only way she will feel better is to have it drained off. It will come back though in time and then you are back to square one. Sorry I can't be more positive.

[bridgy chooks]

Hi

 

Just to let you know that Gabbi passed away in the night. I don't think she fancied a third visit to the vets! (I was going to take her to be put to sleep this morning).

 

Thanks for your advice yesterday x

[Millie-Annie]

Sorry to hear that. My Millicent is on her way out, with the same thing. I went through it a couple of months ago with her 'sister' so I recognised the signs.

 

You did the best you could and gave Gabbi a lovely life