AndyS Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi there, We've got a limping ex-batt, who has had a limp for 5 days now, with no sign of improvement. It got worse yesterday, so we went to the vet. He thoroughly checked her over, and could find no sign of infection or any break. He suggested it was unlikely to get better and it may be best to put her to sleep, but we explained how she is a loved pet, and want to give her a chance. So, he gave her an antibiotic injection this morning, and will give her another tomorrow morning, and we'll see how she goes over the weekend. I desperatley don't want to lose our little Noodle (especially after losing Esme today to a prolapsed vent ), but I couldn't bear it if I thought she was suffering and we were selfishly prolonging that. She is very bright in her self, is her usual feisty self, and is still laying, and will occasionally hop/run flapping if we open the backdoor, which leads me to suspect that she is actually OK, but might just get a bit of pain if she puts her weight on the leg too much. Anyway, the question really is, how (and can) I know if she is suffering with it, or if she just a bit lame, but not that bothered by it? Sorry for the ramble. I guess this is the million dollar question for pet owners. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 For me it's about quality of life - is she still enjoying things? Is she eating/drinking, is she able to dustbsth and forage around? Is she missing out because she can't keep up with the others? And is the condition (whatever it is) requiring invasive procedure or medication. Only you can decide, but those are the questions I'd ask myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I would see if your vet will prescribe a course of Metacam for her. It is a non steroidal anti inflammatory and can be very good no unexplained lameness in hens. Antibiotics will only help if there is an infection which I would have thought unlikely. I had a hen 100% lame last year and she was sound 8-10 days after a course of Metacam and rest. If she doesn't improve after a course (& a calcium supplement like Zolcal D), then reconsider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyS Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Thanks Olly and Chucky Mama, that's really helpful. She certainly does seem to still be doing all the normal chickeny things she did before. When you say rest, do you think I should confine her to the run, or even the Eglu (Classic)? At the moment, we're allowing her to free range in the evenings once we're home from work, along with the others. Thanks for the recommendation about the Metacam and Zolcan D. We'll speak to the vet in the morning. He's very understanding, and gets that she's a loved pet. Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 If you can get hold of a rabbit hutch they are ideal for confining hens, a dog crate is good too but really needs to be in a ventilate shed, garage or utility room etc.. for safety Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I agree with Olly, it is quality of life that is important. We've had a couple of ex batts with limps. Rubbing arnica cream into their legs really helped. One of our girls occasionally had a recurrent limp from time to time, not sure if she had an old injury and had developed a touch of arthritis. She was top chick when she left us and was pts due to a heart murmur. She wasn't always as fast as the other girls but she had a great quality of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
