Omlet cube and run

[cd8jbr]

First I lost Henreitta on 28/3 then Nugget just yesterday and now Noodle is poorly. She was feeding and perky but I noticed she wasn't walking normally. I took her to the vet ( I seem to be there a lot at the moment) and her abdomen was very swollen but no obvious cause - no detectable egg stuck or anything so they x-rayed her and found she was full of a liquid which looked like urine and was a bit whiffy and unpleasant. They drained it and she seems much happier.. There is no obvious cause as I say so does anyone have any ideas what might have caused it? Apparently it wasn't an abcess.

 

She's eating we'll, perky and seems not to be in any pain but no doubt feels better for the liquid being drained - we have no idea whether it will recur and if it does the current plan is to drain again and see how it goes. An operation is possible to find out more but as a 3 year old ex-batt she might not survive it - hens and anaesthetics aren't a good mix apparently and it would be diagnostic rather than curative probably.

 

I know from now my ex-batts probably aren't in it now for the long haul, but I'd like to keep them as happy and healthy as I can for whatever time they have left. Sorry, I just feel as though its all going wrong at once so I'm just feeling sorry for myself, and them - I've loved having them as pets and hope they have enjoyed their time in the sun (or what passes for sun here). Whoever would have thought you could get so attached to chickens?

[Olly]

I'm so sorry that this is happening in such close succession to losing your other hens, that is just unlucky coincidence but it's very hard on you. That sounds like peritonitis to me. Three years is a good lifespan for an ex-battery hen, some live longer but it may be that she's just worn out - you've done the best you can for her by taking her to the vet, anyway.

[cd8jbr]

Thanks for that - I have just looked it up and I think you are right. Frusemide and anti biotics for her then and fingers crossed - she's bright and alert so hopefully we will get through this!

[good_egg]

Poor you. Rotten luck with timing. Hope you get a good news story. Hugs

[mimi5]

Ah, what a shame, you are doing all you can and you must remember that their bodies have been through a lot and there's little you can do about that. It is SO hard not to get attached to them isn't it??!! I have lost 5 pekins and was very cut up over all of them, especially my beautiful cockerel who was such a sweetie!!They all have different personalities!!

 

I've just come through a run of illness and 2 deaths here!! (also spending a lot of time at my vets!!) But good news today my poorly baby Tilly laid her first egg!!

 

I have come to except with chicken keeping, you have them and try to keep them well but sometimes they just don't make it. Best wishes for Noodle

[Egghead68]

You are having a bad run of it.

 

I am a bit concerned that the vet was not able to diagnose peritonitis. It is a common condition (sadly).

 

There are various options for (egg) peritonitis including just monitoring it or using an implant or hormones to stop her laying internally again. Given her age personally I would be inclined to just monitor it.

[cd8jbr]

I know the vet should have recognised egg peritonitis but in fairness they don't see many hens and they did an excellent job - she did get very good treatment, i think, as the liquid was removed and Noodle put on anti biotics. When I took her for her anti biotic jab this morning the vet knew the issues, and problems, and thinks a watching brief is the best bet for Noodle given her age and history.

 

Fingers crossed for her - hopefully she will get a bit more quality time, it's as much as I can hope for at this point. We'll see.

Edited May 1, 2013 by Guest

[cd8jbr]

I'm concerned that Noodle is slowing up and looks a bit uncomfortable. Is it likely that an implant would be good for her -or is palliative care the best way? I know they are a good age for ex-batts but I want what's best for them...even if that means letting them go.

 

I would hate to see any of them suffer - I don't think Noodle is suffering, just slowing up and probably feeling a bit tired but hopefully the treatment and anti biotics will help with that and make her feel better. I just don't know what to do - its all happening so quickly and I feel totally out of my depth.

[Egghead68]

She might just be feeling grotty from the antibiotics.

 

I have two on suprelorin implants. The implants don't treat the infection or existing fluid build-up but they prevent any more internal laying, i.e. the fluid doesn't get added to. Over time the fluid that has already built up (and hasn't been drained off) should hopefully be reabsorbed, providing the infection doesn't get out of hand.

 

The implants cost me around £70 a time and last between 7 weeks and 7 months (depends on the hen and the implant). They are put in as an injection with no anaesthetic and no stitches (just a blob of superglue) and this doesn't seem to bother the hen (especially if you let them stuff their faces with grapes immediately after).

 

Mine have been on them since Sept 2011 and are perfectly healthy and happy although I would say Sarah seems more subdued and Colin slightly more aggressive - they have swapped places in the pecking order.

 

If you are able to cater for the expense I think they are a good option but I know others have different opinions.

[cd8jbr]

These implants aren't cheap then! Fortunately Noodle seems brighter again today but who knows what the future will hold...

 

What are the first symptoms of developing peritonitis? Funky went to sit in the nest box today but - nothing just like Noodle did. Could this be the first sign? She is loaded up with Baytril cos of her sneezing so hopefully no infection but it's a bit worrying to say the least.

 

I guess I'm really getting lucky because now Dumpling is starting to sneeze....so Noodle will be at the vets for Baytril tomorrow - and so will Dumpling, and if Funky looks like she might be starting with peritonitis then she'll be there too but at least she's not sneezing anymore!

 

I only have 3 hens left now and I'm worried about all of them - sigh.

[Egghead68]

I'm glad Noodle is a bit brighter and hopefully Dumpling's sneezing will respond to the antibiotics quickly.

 

I think one of the earliest signs of peritonitis is feeling a tiny bit of squidgyness in their abdomen. They can also spend a lot of time on the nest box, but then they can also do this for other reasons, e.g, being broody, so it's not necessarily worrying in and of itself.

[cd8jbr]

Thanks - it's good to get another opinion- i really do feel a bit lost here, it seems to be all going belly up all at once. i guess we've done ok up to now but it was just too good to last. It's good that sitting on the nest box isn't necessarily a bad sign but none of mine have ever been broody. Mostly, except for Noodle, they haven't been near the nest box for some time (except one of them always sleeps in it - one of them always has!) I know it's frowned upon but I just let them get on with it!

 

I'll have a good look at her tomorrow and see if there's anything I can feel...fingers crossed. Thanks again.

[cd8jbr]

Well she had 3 good weeks but we were back at the vets with a recurrence of the egg peritonitis - fortunately we caught it early it seems and Noodle seems fine except we have to go back every day to get the 'gunk' removed and more anti-biotics. It doesn't look as though this is not going to recur so am I right in thinking that the only reliable way forward is a suprelorin implant? Would that/should that help to prevent it happening again? Noodle is a lovely old girl and I'd really like to do what's best to give her the best chance.

 

Ont that note - today is Noodle, Funky and Dumpling's 18 month anniversary of their retirement and the gaining of their freedom. I've had the pleasure of the girls for a whole 18 months - and for most of that time Henrietta and Nugget too (bless their souls)...I'm really not sure who got the best of the deal as it's been such a pleasure to have them!

[Egghead68]

Congratulations on the 18 month anniversary!!

 

I've had good results with suprelorin implants (although they moult heavily the first time) but some others have found their hens become very timid. An alternative is hormone injections but they need to be repeated every few weeks.

[cd8jbr]

I've heard about both - but it's what to do. Noodle has been drained for 3 days now and if anything it's getting worse. She is happy and chirpy, eating like a horse but draining for more than 4 days isn't something the vets want to do. Thestuff they are getting out is apparently quite horrible but her temperature is ok so up to now we seem to have avoided the infection bullet but it can only be a matter of time. She had 35 ml drained on Sunday and 125 today (not sure about Saturday). Would the hormone injection be likely to work - even in the short term to see how she responds or do we jump in with the implant? I know they have the dev(can't remember the name) hormone injection in but don't have the implant so it would be a day or 2 before she could have the implant (and I hate to say it but my work makes it very difficult to keep running back and forwards right now).

 

I do want what is best for her but I have no experience and I'm not sure the vet is keen on the injection as its not licensed for hens....

 

Any ideas or recommendations gratefully received.

[Egghead68]

Whatever you do you need to do it quickly. If the vet is keener on implants maybe go for those and get an appointment as soon as they come in.

[cd8jbr]

She's at the vet now. She's fine in herself and clucking happily I'm told. There's no sign of infection still which is a good thing. I'm happy to go with whatever but thought the injection might be quicker and therefore less risky - but I'll pretty much see what they want to do. I'll see how quickly they can get the implants.

 

I've also been told it'd be better to put them all onto "Ornamental Poultry Pellets" as that's a maintenance diet and will make them less inclined to lay. Got to be worth a try if it will help avoid the problem with the other two. I thought that info might be useful to anyone else with hens who are a bit 'past it' although I guess it might be well known by everyone else but me!

[cd8jbr]

She was drained of 200 ml today so it's progressively getting worse. She has had an delvosteron injection as there is not time to get an implant with the rate of decline and the hope is that she will at improve but it's doubtful - if we can stop the production of the eggs quickly it just might keep her going a while longer. I'm happy that the vets have done all they can for her, and more - She was at the vets from Tuesday morning to Wednesday evening but is home now. As long as she's happy, perky and eating she will get every chance but the prognosis is not good so if anyone has any other ideas...

 

Still she's home and can have a bit of spoiling and TLC while she can and she can mooch about in the garden she loves and chill....what more can a little old hen want...?

[cd8jbr]

Well, we had a couple of moments but Noodle is so much better now it's incredible! She doesn't look as good as the other two (but after what she's been through that's no surprise) - but she's running around, scratching for bugs, enjoying treats, generally having a ball. How long it will last I have no idea, and I know she's living on borrowed time, but I'm so happy she's made it through again. I think the vets have done a brilliant job - we all thought we'd lost her but they didn't give up and, as I say, she's doing really well now. Brilliant.,

[Egghead68]

Great! If you can stop her laying again by keeping the delvosteron or suprelorin topped up then hopefully she will be fine.

[cd8jbr]

Noodle was put to sleep this afternoon after once again suffering from egg yolk peritonitis. She had all the treatment again but this time she just didn't respond - she seemed to have lost the will to live. She was lively after the treatment last night but She spent today lying on her side uninterested in food, even live mealworms were turned down, she was not moving even when put in the carrier - I think she had just had enough and it was time to let her go. The vets were brilliant with her and we all did what we could but this time it just wasn't enough. I held her as she slipped away so I know it was as nice as possible for her. RIP Noodle, sleep well my little one.

 

I will miss her but I'm happy she's at peace now.

[good_egg]

Sorry to hear this. RIP Noodle.

[mimi5]

Sorry to hear your sad news. RIP Noodle

[newcountrygirl]

R.I.P. Noodle.

[Egghead68]

I'm so sorry.