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Gapeworm :'( Update- improving.

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There is no real answer to that one. I'd carry on as you are for now.

 

Thank you. Kept an all night vigil, so am shattered and more incoherent than usual!

 

Flump's no better, no worse. I can hear a gurgling gut, but I can't see any poo, though I've been sneaking arid in the dark so might have missed it... Hurry up and get well :(

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If she will take liquids but not solids then try to get some Nutridrops down her, or some puréed baby food with Life-Guard in it. That ought to give her enough nutrients to help keep her strength up.

 

I've just stolen 2 hours' sleep and been back down to see her. She has turned around in her box, been a bit reluctant to have her Flub water but taken some Ready Brek, water and (non-Flub) pellets. I daren't hope she's getting better, and not just her last-ditch attempt before getting worse... I will scout around for those drops, thank you so much. Seems like the sort of thing that's brilliant to keep just in case. I will go back to the shop in Albrighton and hope they have them.

 

Come on girl, you can do it :pray:

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Fingers crossed for her - those drops really are very good.

 

I'm in bed right now, I shipped The Toddler off to his great-nan's so I could get some shut-eye, but I worried when I could hear her wheezing, and I worried when couldn't! I will try to get an hour in and then I will ring various stockyard and the vets that I was recommended in case they have a stock.

 

Thanks again for your patience, I really do appreciate everything everyone's done x

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I hope that she pulls through. In this sort of case I find that it helps to give yourself a deadline for her to improve by just in case it drags on. :?

 

Let me know if you can't find any Nutridrops as I have a bottle in hand and can post them to you.

 

I understand. I'm not really sure where I'd draw that line, as general concensus seems to be that it takes a few days of the Flub water :/ Of course I don't want her to have a miserable end, but then I'm seeing little signs that give me hope.

 

Thank you for the offer- I'm prepared to drive some way to get some today, so I'm hopeful I can source some.

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I'm only an hour away if you need some.

 

Thank you so much. I will have a good old ring around first (phone phobia- ugh. This hen is really pushing me in odd directions!). If I have no luck, if it's ok with you, I may PM you for details. Thanks again x

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I'm only an hour away if you need some.

 

Thank you so much. I will have a good old ring around first (phone phobia- ugh. This hen is really pushing me in odd directions!). If I have no luck, if it's ok with you, I may PM you for details. Thanks again x

 

Found a supplier of Nutri-drops in the West Midlands! http://www.sturmanscornandseed.co.uk/index.php/contact

 

The poorly is dosed, got her food ready in case she wants to eat the double-dose Flub food, the two girls outside are grumpy but well and are eating their double-dosed food. Fingers crossed we can turn this around.

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I got the Nutri-Drops. They don't lie when they say "instant", do they? She perked up immediately, but the daft bird put all her energy into perching on the side of the box rather than eating. She's eating Flub mash and water. More poos, but not as many as she should (that's what's really worrying me). There's a bit of a whiff about so I don't know if there's on brewing... I hope it comes out ok :'(

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Me again, sorry for spamming. In bed now after pulling an all-nighter last night, not to mention the crazy day yesterday. Today was only slightly less manic!

 

Flump is moving around her box much more, and even thought she was allowed outside, cheeky bird! She is still gaping but it sounds a bit less strained and hardly any loud crowing. I got her a new poorly-box, and saw she had actually done plenty of poos, they were just very watery. I'm guessing that's to be expected with Flubenvet overload. She is eating flub pellet mash very well when offered, and drinking well too (again, only when offered). She still looks a bit of a sorry state, but she has periods of looking almost relaxed.

 

Really hoping this is the breakthrough. I'll continue with mash, I've stopped the flub water, just hoping she gets some rest tonight. I can't see that she'd need me through the night right now. I'll only give her Nutri-drops if she turns her beak up at food again. Those drops really are freaky! Maybe I need some.

 

Fingers crossed that we'll have a tomorrow and it will see her at least as improved as she was today. Come on, girl!

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Glad that she seems a bit better.

 

Hang onto the NutriDrops - they are worth keeping around. Another thing worth having in stock is a probiotic powder such as Avipro or the Crossgates one; they are good for restoring gut health in poorly birds. It's very water soluble so can be added to a wet mash or just water.

 

You soon build up a small first aid kit of staples.

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Did you find a vet nearer to you in the end?

 

Good Luck sleepy head

 

Stacey X

 

I got a couple of vet names, but didn't take her in the end- I felt it came down to her getting better or PTS. But she was slowly improving so something must be right somewhere!

 

I'm taking having a first aid box more seriously now. I never thought I'd need such a cocktail of things, but I've learned a lot these past few days!

 

Flump is still wheezing and still occasionally gaping for a while, but she is also having plenty of time where she's not gaping. She's been pottering about the kitchen, eating Flub pellets, pooing (not a lot, but they're looking fairly normal). She's getting some of her personality back, she is less tolerant of me trying to give her antibiotics! The Toddler, on the other hand, thought it was yummy...

 

Should I put her back with the girls yet? Here she is:

 

b5mxb7.jpg

 

Still gaping as I type, but it seems to pass.

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I'd introduce her carefully; you don't want to keep her away from them for too long, but bear in mind that chooks can pick on an ailing member of their flock.

 

She's decided she's comfortable enough to sleep, so I think I'll leave her to get plenty of rest. Then maybe put her in with the others at night? Would they be less likely to bully her that way?

 

I'm so pleased she's getting some sleep. Her breathing's much less laboured now.

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Well she's certainly looking better - the wings are up in the normal place, and she seems to be holding her head/neck correctly.

You do need a cocktail of stuff to keep them going - ours is so far filling a crate kept in the kitchen. Understand the get better/pts route totally.

I'd invite her to be around the others under strict supervision, as said before, they do pick on weaker members of the flock Just shepherd her for a while outside so they don't forget who she is.

Keep us posted.

 

Hugs Stacey X

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I went to take my Mom back home, so Flump was alone to sleep for a good few hours. I got back and she was asleep (was dark) and looked much perkier and more interested in her grapes filled with antibiotics :wink: There's also poo on the floor outside of her barricade, so she's clearly been pottering about! She's wheezing, but no neck-stretching at all (it had been worse after eating).

 

I have put her in with the other girls. The house door is open, so if there's any bullying I will be more likely to see. But at the moment the other girls seem too dozy to care. Last time I looked, Flump wasn't sitting, but I expect she wondered where her warm box is! I'll shut the door when I'm satisfied they're all happy.

 

If tonight goes well, then I'll be satisfied she's 100% better. I say 95% right now :D:dance:

 

I'm so amazed that she's nothing like she was on Thursday. She even fussed when I picked her up, which is classic Flump! Thank you all so much, I couldn't have done it without you! I'll be back tomorrow with another (hopefully final!) update!

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Just caught up on this thread - so glad she's doing better. Down to some seriously devoted nursing, methinks! :clap:

 

Ha, thanks! It really made me realise what hard work people who re-home ex-bats must put in. I follow one on Twitter who takes hundreds at a time :shock: If you've got several sickly hens, it must be must really take it out of you. I'm tired now but I did sleep last night. That's why I had to bring my Mom here, to keep The Toddler entertained while I nursed Flump and cleaned the house!

 

ATM Flump isn't asleep or looking very comfortable, but the girls haven't so much as looked at her, so I think she just needs an hour to settle back in.

 

Eee! so pleased!

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