Claireabella Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 (edited) Apologies, I know I only seem to post when there's a problem. Just in need of some moral support I think Poppy is not right. After her last bout of sour crop she was really well again until my mom overdid it with corn while I was at work (even though I had asked her not to give any corn ). Since then Poppy has become lethargic, standing around puffed up (but not all the time) and although she doesn't have a massive squishy crop, I am suspicious that there is something fungal going on because there is always some fluid in her crop in the mornings and she brought up a little brown fluid from her beak the other day. I've been to my local vet twice and to an avian specialist twice. The local vet gave her anti inflammatory and antibiotic injections and tried to figure out if there was an underlying cause. She thought maybe the onset of peritonitis or an egg stuck somewhere and referred us to the avian specialist. The avian specialist ruled out peritonitis straight away (no fluid at all in the abdomen) and the egg theory. so no treatment other than feeding her some sweetcorn, which she ate at the vets. Back home Poppy was still not right so back we went two days later. She had fluids this time and the vet asked me to inject antibiotics into her breast muscle (terrifying ). In short, she's not responding to the antibiotics (she is no worse but equally no better) and the vets just won't seem to listen to me about the crop issue She has quoted me £215 for xrays and blood tests, which I just can't pay. I'm feeling desperate (can you tell?) I fully understand that this could be an internal issue, but in a last attempt, I rang again this morning to ask about antifungal meds, she said she can't administer those without a crop swab that takes 4-5 days to get the results. It's just too long and she is losing weight through lack of food. She obviously wants to eat but sometimes when she bends down I see her swallowing fluid back and she just turns away from the food So sorry for the long post but feel like I'm going mad here!! Edited May 24, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 So, (deep breath) the vet has just rang me back, after everything, and told me to use ACV!!! I have Battles poultry cider vinegar but I don't think this is the live stuff is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 What is she pooing like Claireabella? It does sound like a sour crop but perhaps she has some kind of digestive obstruction for whatever reason? Possible she overfilled with sweetcorn and is now only drinking? Can't see what ACV will do, but I'm not a vet. The quote they gave you sounds ridiculous. Is there a BHWT approved vet near you? Poor Poppy. Hope you get her better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Thanks Beantree. Her poos are green and slimy, sometimes watery too. It all points to sour crop, I just wish I had trusted my instincts in the first place. The vet gave her the sweetcorn in the back room and then took me through to show that she was eating. I know they have done what they thought was right but I'm really starting to lose faith in vets I don't think I have an approved BHWT vet near to me. After searching, I took her to the nearest avian vet but it's still almost a 50 mile round trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Hi Claireabella. Sorry to hear you and Poppy are still having a rough time. Like Poppy, Bernie doesn't seem to have totally got better either, although she did at first. She's not as bad as Poppy, and some days she's fine, but a few days a week her crop is a bit squishy and too warm, and she's really lethargic and her face looks different around the eyes. Beantree has suggested I try avipro avian for a few days, or starve to try to totally get rid of the nasty fungi / bacteria. My plan is to give the avipro for a week (the idea is that this will re-balance gut flora). If she's still no better, I'll starve her for 36hrs then treat with anti fungal (daktarin from the chemist - not licenced for poultry), then feed just pellets and water with avipro for a while. I'm in a slightly easier position than you because Bernie is still eating. Have you got nutri drops? Lots of people say they're good if a chicken is losing weight. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 have you lent her forward to try to drain some of the fluid build up, that might make her more comfortable. The Dogmother recommends neat ACV for sour crop so maybe PM her? If you try to drain just do it for a few seconds at a time, lift her back to recover then continue until she clears....and PS..i was given anti-fungal meds (nystatin*) without a swab?? I will PM you anyway * not licenced for use on poultry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Thanks Mullethunter and Gavclojak. That sounds like a good plan Mullethunter. I think the ongoing problem is that it appears that the sour crop has gone but it doesn't take much to upset the balance in the crop again as the fungus may still be present. Poppy doesn't seem to have enough fluid in her to empty the crop, just a little at the bottom but the brown fluid that came from her beak the other day gave it away. She also perked up a bit after that and ate some food. In terms of the antifungal meds, they said that it is not licenced for poultry and is hard on their liver so won't administer it without the crop swab I guess all vets are different. I've sent you a PM Gavclojak. Hope it's worked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Don't have much to add - but wanted to wish you luck and hope for a good outcome! They are such a worry - big hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 Ah thank you Mrs B, especially as you have had such an awful time lately. I just wanted to post a little update on Poppy. She seems to be showing some signs of improvement. Don't get me wrong, she's not 100% and she needs to regain some weight but she is showing interest in food, is wandering around the garden a little more and has had a dustbath the last couple of days. Her poos are fairly solid and are not green anymore. She still has periods of looking a bit puffy and standing still but this seems to be getting a little less often. She's not out of the woods yet but for now it's looking a bit more positive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 I don't know if it will help Poppy, and I don't know if it's a coincidence, but since starting having the avipro in their water 4 days ago, Bernie has been much better and poos are back to normal too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 I've been using Avipro too, so it might not be a coincidence that it appears to be helping. I've been giving Poppy some Nettex vit boost + as well because I couldn't get hold of any nutri drops. She has ate a fair bit of food this evening too. Me and OH were watching, sort of holding our breath waiting to see whether she was going to eat or walk away from the feeder but she ate and then ate some more!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Ah, so lovely to have your update Claireabella Well done you and Poppy They are a worry when they're off colour I've just ordered some more avipro to keep in my chicken "meds, lotions & potions" cupboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 That's really good news Claireabella. Hopefully she'll continue to improve and put on some weight now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 Thank you both I just wanted to post one last update because today Poppy laid an egg the first one since before she was poorly. I'll be keeping a close eye on her but for now she's doing really well. I've never been so happy to see a chicken, well, do chickeny things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Hooray Well done you and Poppy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 That is such good news, i'm really happy for you and I think we all know how you feel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
