mollyripkim Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) Let the girls out, all normal but this afternoon Doris is on her own, just sitting, didn't come for treats. I picked her up and her abdomen is really swollen and swishy (none been laying for weeks so don't think its an egg). I have a vets appointment in the morning but wondered if there was anything I could do to make her feel more comfortable until then. Have been reading past posts - do you wise ladies think it is treatable, have you had any survive this or is it better to let her go. I just don't want to get in the dilemma I did last year as the vet kept treating one for various ailments but had to have her pts after she developed a tumour, in hindsight I maybe should have called it quits earlier for her sake. Edited February 28, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I'm sorry to say that in my experience its not something that's treatable and the kindest thing is to say goodbye. They really aren't in a good way with this condition and while I've heard about people asking vets to drain the abdomen, it's not something I'd put my girls through, as it usually returns and in the meantime they are very uncomfortable and unhappy. Sorry I couldn't be more positive for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igobarefoot Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Sounds like peritonitis to me I'm afraid. I've lost 3 girls to it, the first 2 went downhill very quickly and died in my arms. The 3rd one had sterile peritonitis for quite some time and it didn't affect her at all for ages. I then implanted her twice which really gave her a good year more, but she wasn't the same hen and so when the last implant wore off I decided to let things run their course and did sadly have her pts when it clearly became painful for her. My Hilda had a big squishy belly recently and that went down after a while, so there is always hope. If it feels tight and hot thats probably not a good sign though. So sorry, know how you must be feeling. Good luck tomorrow and let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Thank you so much Dolly and igobarefoot, I guess I had that feeling but it's great to get advice and reassurance to help make the decision. Her abdomen isn't hot but I've just put them to bed and it's huge compared to the others and she clearly isn't comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 My girl has just been put to sleep because of peritonitis - she fought for some time and the symptoms weren't clear. However, if it helps, her tummy was never hot and squishy. Just the last two days it became hot and tight and that is when I felt I couldn't let her go on. Fingers and everything crossed for you both tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 I'm so sorry to hear that, it seems like there have been a lot of losses recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I'm sorry to say that in my experience its not something that's treatable and the kindest thing is to say goodbye. They really aren't in a good way with this condition and while I've heard about people asking vets to drain the abdomen, it's not something I'd put my girls through, as it usually returns and in the meantime they are very uncomfortable and unhappy.Sorry I couldn't be more positive for you I totally agree with Dolly. Sorry. It always recurs in my experience. In the past I have wasted ludicrous amounts of money having the hens treated, but now I cull them as it is the kindest thing IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Swollen and hot is a problem, but just swollen may not be. We had a Cream Legbar who had a swollen abdomen. She wasn't laying and wasn't unhappy either. One night she realised a huge amount of clear fluid; two dustpans full of wet bedding. The next morning another dustpan full. A week later she started laying. But we have tried treating before with antibiotics. Whilst it has a short term 'cure' it then repeats at ever decreasing intervals and PTS is the inevitable result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 Thank you for your advice, was really useful when talking to the vet, explained that I didn't want to go down the draining route and I fully expected to have her pts. However, he said he didn't feel comfortable doing that as the swelling isn't so bad in his opinion and that her lungs are crackly suggesting a chest infection. I said I thought the fluid was pressing on her air sacs but he said that is a different noise. So she is in dog crate and started on Tylan for a 24 hour reprieve, vet thinks if she shows signs of improvement then its a chest problem but if not its peritonitis and we will put her to sleep tomorrow. She is tucked up in the hospital dog crate and just wolfed down some chopped apple, I think I will give her some nutridrops as well and fingers crossed that she shows an improvement. I appreciate your post Egluntyne, I think you have way more experience so I respect your opinion and if it is peritonitis will let her go tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Well fingers crossed and so glad the vet is being thorough. My vet did the same - we just couldn't be sure it was peritonitis at the time. So hoping it isn't for your little one - please do keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Sadly poor Doris didn't get any better despite 48 hours on Tylan, her abdomen was still swollen and today she just sat, wouldn't eat or drink so vet agreed it was time to let her go. Half of me thinks I should have insisted on Wednesday and other bit of me thinks at least we gave her a chance. I am so sad, she was such little sweetheart and one of my first girls so around four and half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 So sorry to hear about Doris You gave her a fighting chance though and it sounds as though she was extremely well cared for. Big hugs from me xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Aww poor Doris. You did all you could for her. Sending you a hug xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igobarefoot Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Oh so so sorry to hear about Doris Don't feel bad about giving her an extra couple of days, I did the same with my Maude, you have to go with what you think is best at the time. You gave her a fighting chance, so don't beat yourself up, I'm sure you're feeling upset enough without that as well. RIP Doris and big hugs to you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Sorry to hear about Doris, I lost Lottie last Friday from the same thing, she was one of my first pair of girls and it was all very sudden and sad. However, you have done the right thing. From what my vet said and other people on the forum, peritonitis isn't a good one to treat and keeps coming back. We never can stop worrying about our girls. But as long as we look after them and give them a good life, that's what's important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Thank you so much everyone, your posts definitely help, I expect if I had let her go on Wednesday I would be thinking I should have given her a chance, I find it such a hard call to make but my vet has been lovely. So sorry you have lost Lottie and Maude too both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
