Mercedes55 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 We took Bella one of our ex batts to the vets last night as she seems to have been suffering from sour crop since the weekend and hadn't improved. The vet examined her and said although she couldn't feel any tumours she felt that there could be one or the muscles around the crop could be weak and not working properly. We took her to the vets thinking she would give her something to sort out the sour crop, but obviously the vet either doesn't think it's sour crop or thinks the sour crop is a symptom of something else. She gave Bella a steroid injection and we are going back tomorrow for her to have another one. This morning she is like a different girl. Her tail is up, her comb is red again, she is eating, it's like she has been transformed since yesterday. However I know that steroids will only give temporary relief and she can only have 2 injections. Just wondered if anyone else has any experience of their hens being given steroids and how long they worked for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Hello! I can't help at all, just wanted to wish Bella well with her treatment ... ex batts are THE best!!! Sending her a special hug Keep us posted on her progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 The steroid will reduce any inflammation and increase appetite. There aren't any muscles 'around the crop' it is just a sac which stored the food before it is moved on to the gizzard for digesting. I'm no vet, but this is easily seen when you gut a table bird. I'd suggest syringe feeding her with ACV - 5ml 3 times a day fro 2 days to see if that helps with the sour crop. If the hen constantly has sour crop then there may be some underlying cause such as a problem with her immune system or digestive system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 The steroid will reduce any inflammation and increase appetite. There aren't any muscles 'around the crop' it is just a sac which stored the food before it is moved on to the gizzard for digesting. I'm no vet, but this is easily seen when you gut a table bird. I'd suggest syringe feeding her with ACV - 5ml 3 times a day fro 2 days to see if that helps with the sour crop. If the hen constantly has sour crop then there may be some underlying cause such as a problem with her immune system or digestive system. Gosh I had no idea there were no muscles around the crop, I had assumed the vet would have known that too The sour crop itself seems to be okay now I think, all I know is she no longer has a squishy crop first thing. When all this started we were tipping her up to empty it all out, then feeding her live maggots and some probiotic yoghurt mixed with some AVP, but although the sour crop appeared to get better, poor Bella did not improve in herself at all and was only drinking lots of water and refusing food other than raisins. The 'chicken' vet is on duty at the surgery tonight, would we be better going back to him and letting him have a look or just leave things be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 It's up to you whether you want to incur another consultation fee. Ex-batts often have crop problems - they are used to competing for the feed in their cage, so tend to gorge when they can free-feed - this stretches the crop. If this happens repeatedly, it won't regain shape and tends to over-fill. I'd avoid antibiotics, give her plenty of ACV/probiotics and see how she goes. If she's over-feeding then you may want to take the feeder away in the afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 I had no idea about any of that Luckily the vet we have been going to hasn't been expensive, we only paid £7.20 for a consultation and the injection last night, which we thought was very cheap as we had been used to paying more like £28 at our local vet where we take our dog. The actual 'chicken vet' is on duty on Friday afternoon, so have booked an appointment and I guess if she is still okay on Friday we can cancel it. Thanks again for all that info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Blimey! Very cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 Blimey! Very cheap. Exactly, we were most surprised and pleased too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I wouldn't bring it up if I were you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 how refreshing ... my vets not the only gem then... some treat exbats like animal charities, which is so kind... and makes you unafraid to seek proffesional help... splendid!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 You could also try giving her some Beryl's Friendly Bacteria, in case it is something further along her digestive system causing a problem. My avian specialist vet used this with one of my ex batts who had a crop problem, it was not impacted or sour but was just not emptying as it should, and the Beryl's sorted it out very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 the sudden appetite is likely to be a side-effect of the steriods - it tends to make them a little more hungry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 Well we were back at the vets this afternoon for her second injection. Turns out the injection was a long acting antibiotic as well as a steroid. They weighed Bella again and she has lost 10 grams since Tuesday, which is a concern. Earlier this year she was 180 grams, which is light for a hen, on Tuesday she was only 163 grams and today she is down to 153 grams However she seems fine in herself and when she is out in the garden with our other 2 ex batts they all look and act the same, so we are hoping she will be okay, if only short term. We were charged the same as we paid on Tuesday, so I guess that is the norm there for chickens or maybe they just felt sorry for her being an ex batt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Just wanted to say that her starting weight is within the normal range for ex bats... As she is now extra hungry can you top her up with "good stuff" ? mealworms plain porridge oats (cooked with water or dry) mine love it any which way Ready Brek is also pure oats (no sugar or salt) again made with water, is often well received. Sunflower hearts are loaded with calories too. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Well up till the weekend Bella had been fine, but yesterday we noticed she was a bit slow and her tail was a bit down. This morning her crop isn't empty, first time it's been like that since she had the treatment. She can't have any further injections so not really sure what to do now. Going to try some maggots today, but a bit worried that she isn't going to get better this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 How long have you had her? I'd try the oil/massage/maggots route but if she keeps getting problems then it could either be a sign of some other underlying issue or that he crop has become distended over the years and is no longer able to empty effectively. May I suggest that you starve her for 24 hours, give just water with ACV in it and some Nutridrops if you have any. Follow the massage etc routine and gradually introduce wet mash (made from pellets/dry mash) in small amounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 has the vet checked her cloaca ad oviduct to see if there is a bit of "nasty" stuck there ? the crop in stasis is usually a symptom of something else being wrong rather than a stand alone problem(baring a blocked crop) Maggots may help and some vets use metaclopromide to help things move along... Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 We've had her since July 2010, so I guess she is around 2½ or 3, but not sure. She hasn't laid for probably the last year, so we are guessing it's not an oviduct problem. OH is going to phone the vets this morning. We worry at the moment as the weather is really cold, had our first frost this morning and as she weighs so little bit worried that a combination of her not being well, being underweight and the cold is not going to do her any good. I will have a go with the AVC and Nutridrops as we have both, thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I'm afraid that she's what passes as elderly where ex batts are concerned I'd follow the regime I mentioned above and see how she goes. Problems in her reproductive system aren't going to affect her digestion, so I'd discount that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 sorry to disageee.. If there is a softee on route.. a crop will /may be full in the morning.. As can a very imminent egg.. Or a lash (this is where my experience prediminently has sadly been) Definately if there is something stuck in the oviduct.. it can put the crop into stasis... However I do agree as she has not been a layer for so long then this is unlikely. Very sadly I am speaking from many many experiences which have all been vet attended to and had Post Mortems done as my Vet is very keen to learn.. Yes she does class as an old girl and sadly it may be just her system shutting down However I have 2 that are coming up for 3 years of release ..so....??? (good luck, they can do amazing turn arounds) sadly many have not made it so long... I agree that supporting her with good nutrition to keep up her strength, and if you are worried bring her in at night to a warm)(not hot) room so she is not expending additional energy keeping warm. My battle with lashes goes on... coincidentally one of which is the same age and not laid anything since Sept 12th until a eat lump last week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Sounds to me as if she is heading towards the final furlong. Sorry. The weight loss and crop stasis are indicative of a tumour. I've had more ex-bats than enough end up this way. In view of her age, and the fact that the initial treatment hasn't been successful, I'd be inclined to consider having her pts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I couldn't agree more; rescuing ex-batts is all about supporting them in their retirement and making sure that it is one of dignity and comfort. What it isn't is a competition to see how long they can be kept alive, but rather being realistic about their life expectancy and the possible health concerns caused by their previous life. If I was an ex-batt, I know what I'd rather have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Well we have given her some maggots and she seemed okay this afternoon. OH was waiting for the vets to phone him back but as far as I know she hasn't so far. Will see how she is in the morning. To me she hasn't seemed that bad at all today, I let her and our other 2 ex batts out into the garden and she was foraging with the other 2 just like she always has. Guess we need to keep checking her. Wouldn't dream of keeping her going for our benefit, just feel that we like to try everything else we can first, but obviously we do have to think of how she is feeling with all of this too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 That's good; it sounds as if she's comfortable at the moment. I know how you feel - I have an elderly and ailing hen at the moment; some days she's OK and other days she's not so good. I keep a watchful eye on her and know that this winter will be her last It's sad, but she's had a wonderful life and been a fantastic surrogate mum to hatching eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Tis the worst bit of any pet caring... It is so hard with the girls , as they seem to present with almost the same symptoms for most things and they hide how they feel so well. I also find the worst thing with mine is how often that they go down hill on a Saturday afternoon!! You can do more than support her and monitor how much she is enjoying life, but if that crop does not empty...... thinking of you... xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
