bokbok87 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Hello All, Recently one of my hens started to became flustered when being picked up and was miserable with the other girls. She still eats, drinks and poops regularly though. After a gentle feel of her tummy it seemed she was in a lot of discomfort and hadn't laid for at least several days to a week (its difficult to check when they lay all the same coloured eggs!) We thought her to be egg bound and put her in a nice warm Epson salt bath but that didn't help, we wormed her as normal. Something wasn't right and she kept opening her beak at us so we took her to our nearest avian vet. She seems to be egg bound and the vet has agreed. Its been two days and so far my vet bill is over £200 (I live in London) and there has been no sign of an egg. NO VET would take her where I lived as they claimed some other might be better suited- extremely frustrating when you are desperate for treatment. If it doesn't come tomorrow......should I put her down? It seems awful to keep her in an unfamiliar place on lots of antibiotics. Also I was wondering if you have any diagnostic books for hens you could recommend. I have several chicken keeping guides but they aren't detailed enough for my liking. I would like to spot something much sooner next time! Thanks x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Sorry to hear of your experience. I can't recommend any books I'm afraid, but I will repeat one of Egluntyne's sayings which has often been used on this forum - when this situation arises we have to consider whether we are prolonging life, or prolonging death. If she is unhappy, and if the vet can't solve the problem ('agreeing' that she is egg-bound isn't really a diagnosis in my view), then I think the kindest thing might be to bring her suffering to an end. I'm not sure how old she is, but unless the vet has a clear diagnosis of the problem and an effective treatment, I wouldn't go on trying things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I agree with Olly. £200 is an astonishing amount to have to pay for not very good advice and no clear diagnosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Once again I agree with olly. I know you probably want to give her every chance though. I had the same with my princess layer, she had EP and I had an implant fitted and tried abdominal draining, she died two weeks later although she was well for those last few weeks then went downhill within a day. Good luck and I hope you reach the decision that's right for you and your girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbok87 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 It brings me great sadness to let you know that Baby our Maran hybrid died yesterday. An x ray confirmed that there was an egg which was stuck quite far up her and no amount of fluid, calcium or other vet intervention could help. She looked so unwell compared to Monday and was sitting down - we decided she should go to sleep. I stayed with her to the very end and now she is in a better place. As I write this at work I can already feel Myself holding back the the tears. She was a bossy girl with an extreme love for cucumbers. So much so she would peck heads to make sure that slice was hers! Baby, you will be greatly missed ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Ah I am really sorry to hear this, you have done what's best for your girl regardless of how tough it was for you. You didn't let her suffer so well done you. Sleep tight little one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 That is very sad to read, but you know that you did all that you could possibly do for her. RIP Baby xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 So sorry you lost her but take comfort you did your very best for her, it's always so hard. Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
