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[Angela & Ken]

Our lovely old Maran, Bubble, who is around 7 or 8 years old, developed a very large, all encompassing lump on her comb last Sunday. We've been treating it with antibiotics and metacam for anti-inflammation but it got so large that it burst today, leaving a very large gape in the side of her comb. The other side seems to be going the same way.

 

We live in London and our vet isn't a hen specialist, but we took Bubble there today and he said he thinks it's a cancerous tumour and to end her life. We decided we were going to take care of that ourselves, so brought her home to put her to sleep. However, she isn't distressed, she's foraging, eating and clearly not in pain. Of course, if we keep her alive, we have to deal with the possibility of infection, due to the open wound (she's in a separate run and has been for a week), although we have antibiotics to take care of that. If it is cancer, it can only get worse?

 

Firstly, has anyone ever heard of this before? The lump was about a £2 coin size, if not slightly larger.

 

Secondly, we don't want to prolong any suffering, but she doesn't seem to be suffering.......9 months ago she had a hard lump in her abdomen, the same vet suggested putting her to sleep, but we gave her tlc, warm baths, antibiotics, etc, and within a week she was as right as rain again. So......are we being premature? How awful is it to lose a hen, or have to think about it. Having said that, we've lost a few now and don't want her to suffer. Any help you can give is much appreciated. Thank you.

[Patricia W]

I'm going to bump this up for you as I notice you haven't had a reply. My philosophy is to leave well alone if they are eating, drinking, pooing and generally enjoying life as a chicken. When that goes, so should they as they no longer have quality of life.

[Snowy]

Hi. As long as she is not in danger from the other hens pecking her wound and it can be kept clean and free of infection, I would let her live out her life in comfort. You will know when the time is right and when she is beginning to suffer.

[Angela & Ken]

Thank you so much, both of you.

 

Unfortunately, Bubble's huge lump burst on the other side as well and it looked like there was a bullet hole in her head. Lots of blood. We would have just let her be, but with this hole it was open to infection (although she was separated from our other hens, so wouldn't have been pecked.) My husband and I felt we ought to do right by her and put her to sleep before it became a miserable time for her. There was no way we could heal the wound by covering it or keeping it clean. It was just getting worse, so my husband did the right thing and put her to sleep, quietly and with love. So upset. She was a diamond hen and much loved.

 

Thank you so much. I think it probably was cancer. Never seen anything like it before. Bless her.

[Snowy]

Ah that's a shame. You did what you could for her, that's the main thing

[Angela & Ken]

Thank you, Snowy.

[newcountrygirl]

Sorry to hear this. But at least you know you did everything you could.

[Angela & Ken]

Thank you, Newcountrygirl.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Poor girl . She'd reached a fine old age so she must have been well looked after .

[Angela & Ken]

We like to think she was and hopefully she had a great life. Really miss her. Can't bear to go out there to see our other hens....very sad.