Cluck-a-de-do-dah Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hi Everyone. It's my first time on here so just getting to grips with things. Just a bit of history: I have 3 Ex Batt's Billina, Kip & Florence. We've had them since June 2011 and they seem to be the happiest girls in the world with their new lives... That was until a few days ago. Billina is our biggest girl, she's the mother hen of the coop. Usually a bit on the bossy side but not too bad. She's started acting tired, no energy and not really in the mood to flap about as usual. She's eating and drinking but she's not as interested in food.. something is obviously wrong. It may be my imagination but she seems to be bigger lately. For the past week or so we've only been getting one egg a day from the girls where as we used to get three most days. Is it possible she may be clogged up? I'm not sure if I should take her to the vets or just see how she is over the next couple of days. I hate to think of her in pain or unhappy. Any advice? Many thanks Mandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Have a feel of her abdomen, if it feels hard and full of fluid then she may have peritonitis (which ex-batts are prone to) have a read up about it on this forum, but I'm afraid that if that is the case, then the outlook isn't brilliant. Welcome to the forum by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I agree, it sounds like peritonitis at this stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Agreed, sounds like it to me too. I've treated one of mine successfully (with meds from the vet) but she wasn't an ex-batt. Bit of info from the Chicken Clinic on peritonitis here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluck-a-de-do-dah Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Thank you all! Well I've got her booked into the vets for 5pm. No chance I can risk leaving her now. Fingers crossed she'll be ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 how did it go? Many are treated successfully. It does appear from many posts that the superlorin implant sorts them out, although I cannot quite get to grips with HOW.. but thats what folks are posting. Little hen rescue has I think said they have had good results with 3 days of Amoxycilin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosey Supposey Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It does appear from many posts that the superlorin implant sorts them out, although I cannot quite get to grips with HOW.. but thats what folks are posting. Hiya, as someone who's hen had good results from the Suprelorin implant, thought I'd just chip in and mention that it worked by preventing her getting another bout of peritonitis, not curing it when she originally had it. Little hen had to be physically drained of the sterile peritonitis yuk (vet showed me the bowl of yellow yuk he'd drained from her), which got rid of that bout of peritonitis, then the implant was put in which shut her ovaries down - no more eggs, so no more risk of peritonitis. Don't know if that's the way it's worked for other people! Cluck-a-de-do-dah, do please let us know how it went at the vets if you can. Hope you're doing okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It does appear from many posts that the superlorin implant sorts them out, although I cannot quite get to grips with HOW.. but thats what folks are posting. It's a male hormone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 It does appear from many posts that the superlorin implant sorts them out, although I cannot quite get to grips with HOW.. but thats what folks are posting. It's a male hormone... I may be wrong but I thought it was more a hormone suppressant as I have heard of it being used to chemically castrate cockerels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Sandy + Rosey, Suprelorin is an off-label med and made for dogs, so not licenced for chickens (I don't think anyway!). It is an implant like a microchip which slowly releases the hormone Deslorelin over 6 months which prevents the production of sex hormones. Its an expensive option and needs to be repeated every 6 months for it to be effective... So in the hen it should stop her producing eggs and so try and stop the peritonitis from happening again - so you're right, it prevents rather than cures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 sorry i was not clear, I know how it works etc, but I don't get why it would immediately help eyp swelling go down. It takes a few days to get into system and increases egg production initially which is why some vets are giving delvosterone at implant to eleviate this. I have read a few times that this is the case just cannot work out how or why, although if your chook does one care how or why has happened, long as it works. How is your girls now Mandie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosey Supposey Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Sandy + Rosey, Suprelorin is an off-label med and made for dogs, so not licenced for chickens (I don't think anyway!). It is an implant like a microchip which slowly releases the hormone Deslorelin over 6 months which prevents the production of sex hormones. Its an expensive option and needs to be repeated every 6 months for it to be effective... Hiya, Vet did mention it was a very new idea for hens (this was back in July 2010) and he was interested to see how it worked out - fortunately very well, and in his terms 'the ovaries were still closed down' six months later. Just wanted to post the price up in case it ever helps anyone reading this, although my girl was done over a year ago. Gas to knock her out £40.53 Implant £55.44 Stitch £1.29 Additionally, to clear out the sterile peritonitis she was already suffering. Draining £27.71 (only 50% of the yuk was drained as she was at risk of going into shock) Diuretics £15.02 (for use over the next 14 days) Cluck-a-de-do-dah, apologies if I've cluttered up your thread in anyway, my intention is just to have the info here in case it helps anyone. Is there any news on Bellina? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 My vet puts the implants in without anaesthetic and uses superglue instead of a stitch. One of my hens yelped and the other didn't but both were back to normal (and stuffing grapes) seconds later. The implant plus consultation costs around £70. I assume that the implant shuts the ovaries down so no more eggs or ascites are produced, then the hen slowly reabsorbs the fluid already in her abdomen under her own steam. This has worked twice with mine, now, with no need for draining (and draining carries risks as it can introduce infection and puncture an air sac). One occasion the hen needed antibiotics too as the vet thought the fluid was infected (although I'm not convinced). On the second occasion she didn't need antibiotics.The implant only lasted 9 weeks the first time, though, which was disappointing. I hope your hen is OK, op. Suprelorin can be a good option if it is peritonitis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Thats really interesting to know from both of you I'm glad its worked for you but as much as I love my lot, atm I couldn't justify spending £135 on one of them and to then have to think about putting her through it all again 6 months down the line once the Deslorelin has gone from her system. Would be interested to see how the implants work but sometimes I think the kindest thing is to let them go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I totally agree Lewis; mine are all pure breeds, so less incidence of peritonitis but I have enough experience to know that it's a one-way street really and they are best PTS after the 2nd bout as it only gets worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 \\a friend had hers implanted after treatment for peritonitis .. the implant lasted about 6-8 months judging by her increased appetite, liveliness, and colouring going from yellow to normal. She has not laid since , has not needed a 2nd implant and 12 months approx on she is just fine, and still head chook. Her pal started laying softees and getting them stuck, so after treatment to drain remove infection, she had the Delvosterone injection to "give her a break" when this wore off her she started to swell again, so more treatment and then implanted and she has been fine. This was about Sept /October I think. Also many others have had several imlants and their girls are still going strong, so they do work very well for some and if they are redone before any fluids build up,then there is no additional cost or discomfort for the girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 you ought to be on commission Sandy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Only passing on what I have learnt, I have not used it on any of mine, but have and am successfully using Delvosterone injections. Has a different way of working, shorter lasting as a down side, less side effects than many report, and only some on 1st one going into a moult, as an up.. Different courses for different horses I guess. A lot of peolple are really happy, with the implants. As you know I have had cause to read lots and lots about these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
