staceychristie Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Poor Rosie isn't eating. She's been to the vet who's given her 50/50. She's having some water syringed into her by me regularly, but she's not eating at all. On the plus side she's not getting worse. Poos have got better (was just watery, now looks normal) She's been wormed 2 months ago. The other 4 girls are all ok. She's been offered wet mash, corn, porridge, live magots, meal worms etc etc, all to no avail. Anyone had luck syringing food into a poorly hen? Thanks Stacey x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Sorry to hear about your poorly hen. I'm not an expert at all, and ive not syringed food in but I've tried nutri drops a few times and they have seemed to stimulate appetite. Also, I had a hen who was off food recently a d the vet gave me Beryl's bacteria sachet which I had to mix up with water and syringe feed. After that she seemed to recover after a few days and is eating again. Hope you find something to work soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 Tried beryls, but didn't seem to work too well, and pongs Thanks for your help. Stacey x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Nutridrops are excellent, some people have had some luck with syringing baby food. Do you have any idea what's causing her to starve herself? Perhaps you can check her over and report any symptoms or signs so that we can advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Crushed up frosties and water made into s paste was quite successful, we did look at the vet a bit strange but she hsd worked with poultry for a long time. And nuggett did start eating again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 Thanks for your ideas. The vet (poultry expert) seems to think it was the onset of peretonitus. She's having Synulox 0.1ml twice a day. Got our under 'special needs' hen Peggy to make her jealous by eating her food infront of her .... It did work, and she's had a bit of watery mash etc. She just wants to stay in the kitchen in her cat box...bless her. WE are syringing water into her too, but she's alert, eyes bright and sparkly. Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 So long as she's eating and taking fluids then you're giving her every chance that you can. They don't generally stop eating when they have peritonitis though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 Well we're having to do her water in a syringe, and baby food also. Poo getting better, but she's just standing about, still bright eyed, and wants to flap. Going back to vets on Friday ;-( We're keeping her going, and she's most bullish out of all of them, she's a fighter. Keep you posted, Thanks for your help Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 I hope that she makes it. Refusing to eat is usually a sign of a digestive problem or tumour, also some crop issues cause a lack of appetite. They can't go long without food or water, so getting something down them helps but if it's serious then there's not much you can do I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Critical Care Formula is excellent for force feeding. If it is early peritonitis an implant or hormone injections might help prevent it from getting worse and give her time to recover. You can send off a poo sample to Retfords for analysis which may tell you about any infections or parasites. Good luck with her. I hope she pulls through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Personally, I would be very cautious about syringing food into a hen when you are unsure of the diagnosis. If she has an obstruction, it could be risky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Well she's eaten some tagliatelle and a bit of corn. Vet's treating her for blackhead. I know it's usually turkeys, but her heart is strong, and has no problems with crop or throat. The fact she's having a bit to eat is encouraging, and she's started to sleep sitting down (previously stood up in the back of the cat box) and has started to put her head in her wing again. Her temperature is down to normal now, and she's gained 100g since 2 weeks ago. Still giving her baby food in a syringe, but she's getting used to it now. Thanks for all your help. Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 That sounds encouraging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Quick Update.... Rosie is still poorly, but she's enjoying the sunshine, and is trying to rejoin the others (only with supervision, as she's still weak). She's started to nibble lettuce, and play with wet mash. We're still syringing water and baby food into her. Think she knows we love her loads, and she's trying to get better. Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 Not looking good. Got vets booked for 3.15pm thursday. Her abdomen is so swollen she can't walk now, it's forcing her legs apart. Previously when I asked about a drain, I was told by my super vet that it was risky..however I feel we've nothing to lose now, otherwise it's PTS (we always said we'd never make them suffer). She's still battling, and her eyes still bright, and she's pecking at food again. Drain or PTS? Hard day tomorrow. Stacey x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 sorry to hear that keeping fingers crossed for you and Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Sorry about that. Hard decision to make; I have them drained once but it always returns so I despatch them when it fills back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 Thanks for your help. I wouldn't mind so much, but she's battled on for 3 weeks....all the others we've known when it was time for them to leave. That's the hard bit. The vets had a good go at treating her, but time (and money!) is running out. We've had a cuddle and a cry this morning. Keep you posted. Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 Sadly had to have Rosie PTS She was a strong hen, and lasted longer than the vet thought she would, but at the end of the day, it was just too much for her to fight off. Thanks for everyones help and advice. Hugs Stacey X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
