Stoat killed hens asleep in the Eglu

[MedusA]

I'm feeling so guilty for having moaned about my Araucanas on the "Never Again" thread.

 

Violetta, one of my Lavender Araucanas, "wasn't right" on Monday, so I kept an eye on her. I took her to see Lesley my chicken vet yesterday as she was obviously worse. Lesley thinks it could be peritonitis as her abdomen is distended, but as she's also breathing heavily, she gave her the benefit of the doubt that it might be a chest infection and gave her a shot of Baytril. She's been in the hospital overnight being crop tube fed and Lesley will ring me today to either say she's improving or to suggest I have her PTS. I hate waiting for these sorts of phone calls.

 

*fingers crossed*

Edited April 21, 2011 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear that . I hope she pulls through .

[Chucky Mama]

Oh dear, it doesn't sound good. It seems to be very common at the moment, I wonder if it is the time of the year when some are due to come back into lay. Fingers crossed for you.

[vickichicky]

Had my White Comet hybrid Maria put to sleep this morning. Had an autopsy done as had to have one of my Ex-Batts put to sleep 2 weeks ago . Vet phoned & confirmed Peritonitus in Maria this afternoon. She hadn't laid an egg for over a year bless her. She used to lay everyday without fail - lovely BIG white eggs, maybe that was her downfall.

Custards death (Ex-Batt) looks like it was old age - didn't get an autopsy on her as she was just one month off being 4 years old.

Lost one of my other Ex-Batts this time last year to the dreaded Peritonitis.... My last Ex-Batt (Benny) hasn't laid for over a year but has no swollen abdomen or anything either.

So sad to lose a girly - really hope your lady pulls through for you

[coco]

Hope she gets better for you. I took ex batt Lily tio the vet yesterday and he confirmed what I already suspected, that she has peritonitis. He gave her a vit b injection and she is on baytril for five days. If she doesn't pick up after that I think I will have to have her PTS as she is so miserable at the moment.

[Luvachicken]

How is your girly ? Have you heard from the vet ?

 

She sounds very similar to my Matilda......perhaps I'll take her back to the vets tomorrow, she only had a wheezy chest a few weeks ago and I think her abdomen is slightly tight.

 

Fingers crossed for your girly xxx

[MedusA]

**UPDATE ON VIOLETTA**

 

The good news is that Violetta seems much better. I took her back to the vet yesterday for a check up and the vet was really pleased with her. She's back to being feisty and eating much better. Her abdomen is still a bit more swollen than normal, but the vet says that may still go down.

 

It's all about quality of life for me. She seems happy now and her sister was thrilled to have her back, even if one or two of the others weren't so welcoming.

 

She's on antibiotics for another couple of weeks, so we'll see how she goes after that and keep monitoring the situation.

[Plum]

Good news, it's a hard call knowing when the time is right to make the difficult decision.

 

Sorry to hear of your poor chooks luvachicken and coco and your loss vickichicky

[MedusA]

Sadly, it would appear that the antibiotics have only provided a brief respite for Violetta. I have an appointment for tomorrow morning (soonest I could get) with my chicken vet, as I think it may be time to make "THAT" decision. Her abdomen is solid and she's walking like a cowboy today.

 

I'll try to make her (probably) last day a nice one. She's been tucking into nice treats and I'm making a fuss of her.

[Egluntyne]

I think you have made the right decision. In my experience, any treatment is merely palliative, and the outcome inevitable.

[The Dogmother]

Oh dear

 

I agree with Egluntyne... after a few brushes with peritonitis with my girls and those of friends, I have to say that it's usually a 'one way street' treatment-wise. Timing is very important as they start to struggle quite quickly when the fluid presses on their organs.

[Plum]

I'm sorry, we'll be holding your hand tomorrow.

[gongladosh]

Sorry to hear it - we went through similar recently.

 

Reluctantly our mind was made up when she started struggling to walk. Sadly there's no way back when they get like that, all you can do is spare your girl further suffering.

 

Good luck.