Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[sarahboo]

Any advice gratefully received.

 

Toffee is a 3 year old gingernut Ranger who has been very healthy up until now.

 

She is frequently sitting down and her tail feathers seem to raise up and down in pattern with her breathing. In the last couple of days her head and neck seemed to have joined in with the movement, sort of causing a whole rocking motion of her body whilst she is sitting down Her beak seems to open slightly when she is breathing.

 

We have checked down her throat - can't see any worms. Also checked her undercarriage, all seems very solid but cannot feel any eggs. She is eating and drinking with no problem and has a red healthy comb. Her poos seem fine also.

 

I would take her to the vets, but although our vets are very helpful, they don't really know much about chickens and we feel that we are paying them and telling them what we feel is wrong instead of them knowing what is wrong.

 

Has anyone any advice they can offer, or anything similar happened to them?

 

Thanks!

 

Sarah

[sarahboo]

Further to my last post, she is eating and drinking normally. Doesn't join in with the others, just sits on her own. The others usually join her as if protecting her!

 

Her undercarriage does seem very solid, so am suspecting peritonitis really. Can't feel any eggs though.

 

Will see how she is each day as at the moment she wanders about, sits a lot, but seems happy in herself.

[The Dogmother]

Is her abdomen hard and full of liquid? It sounds a lot like peritonitis to me I'd get her to the vet, if they don't seem to know what they are looking at then find a chicken-friend vet who does. There are various other threads about peritonitis but I'm afraid that it's not good news... sorry.

[Chucky Mama]

I am also suspicious of peritonitis (or an abdominal tumour) The laboured breathing is indicative of the later stages. I would be inclined to get her along to the vet as she will be feeling pretty rubbish is she is 'mouth breathing'. Her outlook is probably not good I am afraid.

[sarahboo]

Thanks both for your replies.

 

Her abdomen does feel very solid - I will have a feel again when I get home from work and see how she is breathing too! The vet is very good but just think they don't have too much experience with many chickens. Don't want her to be unhappy, she is such a love!

[Chucky Mama]

The vet is very good but just think they don't have too much experience with many chickens.

In many situations such as yours, experience specifically with poultry is not an issue. Any vet will be able to palpate her abdomen and make and qualified decision on whether she can be treated or whether she is suffering. By the time many hens have shown symptoms of illness they are often beyond treatment or help. They are by nature very good a hiding illness until their bodies simply can no longer cope. Good luck with your girl, let us know how you get on.

[sarahboo]

Thanks Chucky Mama

 

She was breathing completely through her beak/mouth yesterday when I got home and abdomen very solid indeed.

Perky this morning when first emerged, but soon sitting down and breathing through beak again. Knew she would not get any better so other half took her to vets this morning and she has now gone to the big Chicken coop in the sky to be with our others who have gone to sleep.

 

Thanks for your advice.

 

Sarah

[Chucky Mama]

Sorry to hear that but well done for getting her along to the vet to ensure she didn't suffer.

[poppy ben grace]

So sorry you lost little Toffee. You did the right thing for her.

[The Dogmother]

I'm sorry that she was worse, but good news that she's not suffering now.

 

For help with anyone's future diagnosis of peritonitis... A distended abdomen like a balloon filled with water - taut and hard, mouth breathing usually when sitting down as the fluid presses on her heart and air sacs making breathing difficult, waddling like John Wayne, possibly also a blue-ish comb as her heart/air sacs are under pressure.

 

If your chook shows these signs, then check her over and get her to the vet. I'm afraid that it isn't curable and any treatment, however well meant, will only delay the inevitable the main thing is not to let them linger.