Eglu Cube Coop For Sale

[loubielou]

I have recently wormed all my birds with flubenvet, but have one hen who I think has a bad infestation and is quite poorly. She has stopped laying, gone quite, lost a massive amount of weight and her poos are small and green and yellow.

 

I don't really want to dose the whole flock (of 4!) with flubenvet again, so I was wondering if there is a product that I can give just her which will quickly get rid of the worms and hopefully save her?

[Chucky Mama]

There is Panacur but it doesn't cover all worm types and if she has the worm that it misses you could come unstuck. If 1 hen has a chronic worm issue, your others will also be at risk but may be in better health generally and are therefore not showing such extreme symptoms. 1 hen severely infested will be shedding huge numbers of eggs which will in turn be picked up by the others. They should all be dosed again in 3 weeks. Be careful that worms are not a red herring here and that there is not something else going on.

[loubielou]

Thank you for your reply. I will get dosing the food again and hopefully she will eat enough and get better.

 

I am hoping it is worms and not something else, but worms is the only thing I can think of that match her symptoms. Chickens are so difficult to diagnose!

 

She is quiet and sits alot, goes to bed early.

Lost alot of weight, breastbone very pronounced.

Mucky bum

Loose small poos that are green and yellow

Paler comb and slightly floppy

No eggs since moult 2 months ago!

 

If anyone thinks it could be something other than worms, I would be really interested to hear.

 

Lou x

[Chucky Mama]

Have a gentle feel of her abdomen for fluid, swelling or tightness. It may be peritonitis.

[sandyhas3chucks]

bacterial infection?

perhaps a trip to the vet would be best.

[loubielou]

OK, just been out and had another look and feel. There is a kind of roundish swelling in her abdomen. What is peritonitus and can it be cured? (cheaply....?)

[Chucky Mama]

Oh dear, if there is obvious swelling there is could be peritonitis or a tumour. Treatment for peritonitis is palliative I am afraid. She may get temporary respite from anti inflammatories and antibiotics or by having some of the fluid drained but it will come back.

[Egluntyne]

It sounds as if Chucky Mama is right. The round swelling is worrying. There is no real cure for peritonitis. Just palliative treatments which can be costly. I'd advise you to take her to the vet.

[loubielou]

Oh.... I was hoping it was worms (that sounds odd I know, but worms is treatable, easily)

 

How would she have got peritonitus (is it common?) and are my other birds at risk?

 

It will be such a shame to loose her, she is one of our original hens from just over 2 years ago and was until recently our best layer (she's a light sussex btw).

 

Thanks for all your advice!

[Chucky Mama]

It is not a risk to your other birds in terms of being contagious. Older birds, particularly hybrids are prone to getting it. Peritonitis can be caused by egg bursting out into the abdomen. It can also be caused by tumours. It is basically a fluid build up with or without bacterial infection. It makes them feel really very poorly so I wouldn't be long before making a decision on whether to give her a little extra time with treatment or to cull her. Sorry to be so blunt but time is of the essence with regards to her suffering.

[Dolly]

Hi Loubielou, from my own recent experience, I'm afraid it does sound like peritonitis

My 2.5 year old Lt Sussex Lola had similar symptoms but particularly the abdominal swelling. I took her to the vets as she was obviously not right and seemed to be breathing heavily too, he confirmed peritonitis and we decided the kindest thing for her was to say goodbye. Yes you can go down the regular draining route / antibiotics and hope for a few more weeks but I know if I'd chosen this option, it would have been for my sake, not hers. It was a hard thing to do and I miss her terribly but I know I did the right thing.

I hope all turns out for the best for you and your girl.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I have an oct 2010 released ex bat with me. she had peritonitis 4 and half months ago. Her vet drained her. treated her. and implanted her to prevent further laying.

She is fine and on the ex bat forum there are many similar stories.

I also nearly lost my very 1st ex bat to peri after 3 weeks. the vet thought she had ;little chance. no draining, just anti biotics, anti inflam.

She recovered fully and became a big beautiful head chook. and had a good year of retirement,

a good vet is priceless IMO

[The Dogmother]

Just read through this and the description of the swelling and other symptoms makes it sound like she 'might' have a liver tumour, which would cause sterile peritonitis. As the others have said, any treatment is usually just palliative. Some folk like these hormone implants, but they're not licensed for use on poultry and are expensive

[sandyhas3chucks]

we can all only guess..

that's why there is no substitute for a good vet.

I know someone convinced her girl was dying, a so called knowledgeable person offered to "put her to sleep".

thank the lord she talked to me,and it was fairly easy to ascertain it was most likely a stuck shell.

 

Sure enough a "real" knowledgeable" person namely "The Vet", fairly easily for him removed it put her on a course of Baytril (she has allowed it to be stuck inside for too long before seeking proper veterinary advice)

Chook is bouncing fit again.

 

Just making the point that a good vet is a blessing. and the only place for a proper diagnosis.