Lavenders_Blue Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Queenie has been a little off colour for 2/3 days. There's nothing visibly wrong with her - nice red comb, seemingly alert, no mites or lice, currently being wormed (flubenvet), no hotness or swelling around her abdomen, no sneezing or wheezing. However her tail is down a bit and she seems a bit quiet. I've just checked her over again and her crop feels empty (it was a bit suspicious that she didn't dive onto the lettuce I've just chucked in) but looking out of the window she now appears to have her head in the feeder So, there's something not quite right with my Queenie and I can't think what it might be. Is there anything that might perk her up a bit? Something's obviously making her not want to eat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 One of my pekin girls did this a couple of weeks ago and the next day went in to a moult, feathers every where!!!! You could try nutri-drops if you have any, that was my next thought with my girl but she seemed to perk up once her moult got under way. I guess your doing the best thing by just monitoring her. Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I was going to suggest Nutridrops too. Or maybe a tonic in her water. What are her poos like? Maybe it is something to do with the worming? How old is she? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 She's quite an old lady - she was an ex batt that I rescued in October 2009, so she's coming up to an amazing 3 years of freedom! One of my original girls too, so I'm very fond of her. Am hoping that this isn't the beginning of the end I did think about Nutridrops. I don't have any but could pick some up tomorrow - the fact that you've both suggested it makes me think it's worth a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Wow, that is fantastic. All my ex batts have died 18-24 months after gaining their freedom, so she has done very well. I hope that I am wrong, but I fear it may be an age-related problem and would take her to a vet for a check-up if she doesn't pick up soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Today's update - she is limping today, so I think this is pain related. I think her crop was empty because she hadn't been able to contend with the scrum for the feeder I've put her into solitary for today with her own food and water to allow her to eat without the others bothering her and to discourage her from moving about too much. I'm still going to get some nutri drops in the hope that it perks her up a bit, but if she's no better tomorrow I'll take her to the vet. Fingers crossed for today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Nutridrops are fantastic, they will help with her appetite too. Sounds as if she could do with soem Metacam though if she's in pain. Hard to tell what it is without examining her but she's a great age and it could just be an internal growth. Good luck at the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Well she is now going to the vet this afternoon as she's really gone downhill this morning. I can't tempt her to eat at all which is a sure sign all is not well, and her tail is right down. I am also wondering if it is an internal growth as if it were a sprain or infection in the foot or similar, I think she would have been limping before. TBH, looking at her now I think it's going to be PTS this afternoon. Sad, but she's had a wonderful long life so I mustn't be too upset about it. (I will cry buckets though if she does go). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I'm sorry to hear that L_B, sounds as if you might be right. She's had a wonderful life with you and I hope that she has a dignified and peaceful passing if it comes to that. If it's any consolation I still shed a tear when any of ours goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 I think there would be something wrong if we didn't get upset about it. Hubby did ask me if I was sure it was a good idea to keep animals with a short life span... he has a point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I know, a friend refuses to get another dog as she gets so upset when one dies; I reminded her of all the happiness she had with her last one and that as she's on her own, she needs companionship... she now has two kittens. I think we have to live in the present with these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 So, I took Queenie to the vet this afternoon who I must say was very good and gave her a throrough examination. The upshot of it was that she couldn't immediately find anything wrong, apart from some possible asymmetry between the two sides of her abdomen which may, or may not, be anything sinister. So she had an antibiotic injection and an anti-inflammatory injection and I have to take her back in 24 hours where she will either have another injection if she has perked up or be PTS if there is no improvement. At least if the worst happens I will feel that I have explored all reasonable avenues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Good to hear that the vet was so thorough, and I hope that the jabs will do the trick. Fingers crossed for you tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Unfortunately the injections didn't help at all - Queenie wasn't limping today but that was down to the anti inflammatory painkiller I am sure, as she was hunched up and tail down all day today and was still off her food. So sadly she was PTS this afternoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I'm so sorry to hear that but you did the best and bravest thing for her. You've really worked very hard to keep her, but she'd had av ery good innings and you can take comfort that she'd enjoyed her freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Yes, the vet was very impressed with how old she was - I don't think he'd ever seen an ex batt that old before! He said normally people are bringing in hybrids at about 18 months needing to be PTS, so I feel very happy that she had a wonderful long free range life. Now there's just Bella left from my original hens, I wonder if she will make it to the magic 3 years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Fingers crossed. My oldest pure breed was nearly 7 when she went; she got to be poorly and I had to despatch her. Both Phil and I wept buckets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Oh I bet you did - 7 years is an amazing age! We have had to despatch a couple of poorlies in the past, ones that have got really sick at a weekend and couldn't wait for a vet, but hubby refused to despatch Queenie as she was one of the original girls and he was too fond of her. Men can be real softies at times can't they! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I'm sorry to hear about Queenie, but it was the right thing to do for her. Pandora, my last remaining ex batt, is starting to look as if she is winding down now and I have a horrible feeling that we will be paying a visit to the vet before too long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share Posted August 31, 2012 It's so sad isn't it. I always worry that I haven't made the right decision when it's time to let an animal go, but then I'd rather I let an animal go a little too early than a little too late. No less upsetting though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 It's so sad isn't it. I always worry that I haven't made the right decision when it's time to let an animal go, but then I'd rather I let an animal go a little too early than a little too late. No less upsetting though! I agree, I dithered all day when it was Lily's time to go; I knew what I had to do but it doesn't make it any easier. She had a tummy full of corn and spent the day in the sun before she went to the bridge. I am sure that you know about Rainbow Bridge, but the thought really comforts me. I used to foster rescue lurchers and greyhounds and a friend sent me this one about rescuers... tissues at the ready I am sure that the same applies to hen rescuers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I agree about deciding when is the right time to let them go - it's so hard, and they always seem to put on such a good show of being perky when we get to the vet that I begin to doubt myself. Fortunately, my wonderful vet is an avian specialist and I know that if he says it is time, then it is time, and there is nothing more I can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
