ohcarolina Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Persephone my Pepperpot 'almost certainly' has Peritonitis. I've seen her slightly swollen abdomen come and go over the summer but yesterday she was very swollen, listless and hunched in the cube run in front of the grubs. She's a great girl, been top chook and survived a fox attack earlier in the year. Took her off to the vets and got an antibiotic injection plus some extra for home dosage. She has been trying to eat (just tuna and water so far) but is just stuck on the spot due I think; to her swollen abdomen. She's in the base of a cat carrier resting her front on a towel. Last night her breathing was 'gaping' although she was bright eyed and she kept coughing and sneezing and I didn't think she'd last the night. This morning she's still bright eyed, eating a little but resting a lot (closing eyes) and still can't move. No sneezing or rattles so far though. What do I do? - Do I take her back to the vets and get some fluid drawn off to make her more comfortable. If not will it just go and how soon? How do I feed her by hand, what with and how often? She's taking food from a plate held in front of her (Can't bend to the plate herself). I don't really want to syringe it as it's so awful to do but will if its suggested. I do have some layers mash which I'm going to mix into the tuna. Oh and her backside is minging as she's sitting on it cos of the swelling- shall I give her a wash in warm water? I thought maybe it might soothe her. Any suggestions gratefully received. Many Thanks Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 She really needs treating or culling I am afraid It wont resolve itself and she will be feeling very uncomfortable and unwell at the moment. I personally don't drain anymore and cull them when they get unwell with it. Sorry I can't be more positive. It is really a very personal choice whether to treat or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 It does seem to me that the success and for how long the draining helps, is dependant on the exact cause, and it does seem to be also that if you drain and the girls seem well but are filled you have a better chance of prolonging the inevitable (which is what you are doing. ) They also need the correct antibiotic. However if they are already ill then , chances of success are much slimmer.. If it is egg related then you also need to prevent the cause and future eggs eg Suprelorin implant. I'm also sorry your girls seems very unwell, and if she survives the night, I would do the best you can for her and have her PTS. A friend did just this on Saturday,,, very sad, but said to the vet "I just wish we could do the same for my Dad!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohcarolina Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks for the sensible advice ladies. I have just had her PTS (£120 - it's always double on Sundays) and should probably have done so yesterday but I really thought that she may have recovered and maybe had a few more months(and I have already had a few that haven't and have had to go the PTS route immediately). I picked her up a couple of hours ago and she was so swollen so I made the decision and took her to the 24 hour vets up the road (covers all of our local vets OOH). They are excellent but soooo pricey. I think that my tears are because I prolonged her agony despite the best of intentions. RIP my beautiful Persephone. If you want to see her she's the Pepperpot with the beautiful orange collar in the photo's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Oh poor you! RIP Persephone. You did the right thing and you were right to wait til you were sure. Take care. Hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 RIP Persephone I'm sure she had a good life with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uma Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I am so very sorry for your loss In case anyone else reads this post for information, I have had success with hermonal injections in one of my hens who kept having peritonitis (3 plus times). She gets the injection every 6 week and started them 7 months ago. She is completely well, spritely and happy. She doesn't lay (obviousely) but it so happy and it has extended her life by a lot. I lost my other two hybrids to complecations due to peritonitis and its a horrible thing, but for some hens there is hope. Uma x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
