gavclojak Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 After my post at the start of the week about my princess layer doing lots of beak breathing "the dogmother" was right, it was egg peritonitis. Others thought it might be the heat, but i wasn't convinced, although she seemed to pick up today I thought it was time for a trip to my super chicken savvy vet. She thought her tummy felt ok except one small area so flushed her and what came out wasn't pleasant:(( She is on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory's so it's a case of seeing how we go. She didn't have the walk I was expecting and was eating, drinking, I honestly thought her tummy felt ok but goes to show you. The vet said her throat was dark and that wasn't a good sign. Fingers crossed for my lovely girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Aw, fingers crossed for you. You are lucky in having a good vet that knows her chook stuff. Not nice when you know things are not right but whatever happens you have given her a fab life. I oft wonder what goes on in a wee chooks brain when they are not feeling well, do they feel pain, get confused or just potter along? I bet she is much more comfortable, and quite happy for now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 20, 2014 Author Share Posted June 20, 2014 Thanks redsunset x vet said she isn't in pain, the fluid that was built up in her tummy made her feel bloated and uncomfortable, that had been drained but if there comes a point when I think she is in pain, I will take her back to the vets and consider my options at that point x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 You have done the best you can for your girl. With any luck she will be pootling around with the others soon. If not then as you say, you will know what is best, but give her a good shot. Hope she makes it just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 It seems you spotted symptoms nice and early even though you didn't know exactly what the problem was and chickens make that hard for us to do. You must be pleased to have such a super vet. I hope she gets well soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Sorry to hear that Gavclojak. Certainly not a symptom I've heard of before with peritonitis, but something to keep in mind for the future. Did you vet say what a dark throat may indicate, because I've seen that on a few occasions when worming but never realised there was a problem? The last one was a cockerel that died 4 months ago. Hope Princess Layer recovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 21, 2014 Author Share Posted June 21, 2014 Thanks beantree, no I didn't ask her what the connection was but am speaking to her next week and will ask her then let you know. I'm not sure if it's a symptom of the peritonitis or just a side effect of being unwell. It's weird, apart from the occasional gasping(I would have suspected gapeworm if she hadn't been regularly wormed) she was fine apart from a change in her roosting time, she has always been last to bed but she was going off to bed second, after the top girl and would usually pop straight back out when she hear's me but not for the last few days.....that's what worried me most believe it or not....it just wasn't her!!! I am lucky to have a chicken savvy vet, especially as I am so close to London. I now have a chook vet and dog vets eight miles apart!! Thanks everyone for your kind words...I know you guys know EXACTLY what it's like to have a poorly girl,as they are so stoic it seems sometimes worse x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Behaviour changes are an early warning sign that something is wrong somewhere. It may just be bad feed, lice or red mite or illness. Difficult for us to spot with so many birds to look at. I have however found that when they stop talking to me there is a serious problem just under the surface, even if the poos and crop appear alright. I'd appreciate the vet explanation Gavclojak. Then I will probably panic and go round checking everyone's throat !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 I'm wondering if it is cyanosis caused by the back pressure from the ascites. Generally, when they are very far gone, the comb and wattles become purple, especially when the bloated hen sits down. Just wondering if it is an early manifestation of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 23, 2014 Author Share Posted June 23, 2014 princess layer has egg peritonitis, she is on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory's, apparently it was caught very early, the vet said only a small area on the right of her tummy was affected. She presented with lots of panting when sitting and the general consensus was the heat, which it wasn't...The Dogmother nailed it again and thought it might be peritonitis so we had a trip to the vets where she had the fluid in her tummy drained. She is absolutely fine at the moment, behaving perfectly normally, eating, drinking, back on mealworms. my question is....what are the chances of her getting through this, she isn't laying and hasn't for weeks. I understand it cant be cured and don't want her to be in pain as I would then have to consider having her PTS I am worried she is fine at the moment but once the medication stops the peritonitis will take over her little body?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 You have to stop her laying Gavclojak. This can be done with a hormone implant. Not alway successful first time and you need to discuss with your vet. I have heard of several pet hens treated successfully that way, but I think it is expensive. As you say it will probably return unless treated. I'm not sure I'd be prepared to put a pet through the procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 23, 2014 Author Share Posted June 23, 2014 Thanks beantree, the vet thinks she has stopped laying by all accounts. She hasn't laid for ages but will talk to her about the implant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
