EmuCat Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) My chocolate Peking bantam, "Moaning Myrtle" has been under the weather since her flock mate "Lady" died, about a month ago. I've been feeding her daily in order to keep her strength up, and she seemed to improve for a while, but in the last week and a half, she started to decline again, becoming anaemic and getting thinner. On Monday we were about to give up on her as we couldn't find what the problem was, but we suddenly discovered they she had lice! After treating her, we checked the other three hens- not a single louse on them! We treated the eglu anyway, just in case, and Myrtle has lived indoors in a cat carrier since. Because it was just Myrtle with lice, the lice were probably just another symptom of something wrong, not a cause. Her comb colour has slightly improved, but she has now dropped all of her weight, and is basically just skin and bones. We have been feeding her, but her crop hardly empties overnight. The water and a little food seems to go, but the rest just lingers. I can make her eat, but I can't make her digest! Is there anything else we can try, or is it just time to go to the vet for the last trip? I think she's just given up now, but she still seems "chipper" and chats to us! Edited June 14, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I would try her with high protein food, maybe catfood or tuna? she might just need a little boost after trying to fight off the Lice and obviously missing her chum. I would see if that does anything for her or maybe go to a bait/fishing shop and purchase a pint of live maggots and let her fill her boots before she goes to bed and they will not only fill her up but also work away on any potential blockages in her crop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmuCat Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 We've been feeding her high protein food for two weeks- cat food, mealworms, crickets, just tried her with waxworms, which she likes! She shows the most interest in meal worms and definitely in live food! But nothing I've done has stopped her losing weight. We may try her with olive oil, but I don't think we can get bait maggots anywhere nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Well it sounds like your on the ball so good luck with her x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmuCat Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 She's now been to the vet, where he suspects impacted crop- he's massaged her crop with liquid paraffin. I made some mash out of layers pellets and water and she tucked in happily! She also had an antibiotic injection just in case. Her colour has improved, now that she's getting her blood back, and hopefully if she puts on weight, she could have a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Keep massaging her crop and feeding her mash or wet pellets then and fingers crossed she'll improve now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Sounds like she is in with a chance then. Let us know how she gets on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 At risk of repeating my last post, when Betty's crop wasn't emptying over night I fed her live white maggots before bed and whatever was stopping the emptying was resolved with the help of half a pint of those little wriggling rascals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmuCat Posted June 13, 2015 Author Share Posted June 13, 2015 She's very weak now, and refusing any food. We've syringed some into her, we're just hoping that it will go through! We've given her a warm bath, as her feathers were caked in poop because she doesn't move or preen herself. Either she's going to pull through, or she'll die. Our next appointment is on Monday, so we'll see what he thinks then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmuCat Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 Myrtle passed away last night, sitting on the sofa, blanketed by a towel. We found her gently slumped over with closed eyes. RIP Myrtle x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Aw sorry to hear that EmuCat. RIP Myrtle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Sorry to hear it Sounds like you tried your best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
