Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[mollyripkim]

Have a 3 year old orpington bantam who has been in isolation in the garage for four weeks now, started with sneezing and wheezing, three lots of antibiotics later she was no better so she had lung biopsy and camera down her throat which showed nothing more than that she was extremely overweight and her airways/lungs were being compromised by this. Vet did say it probably started with micro plasma or something similar.

 

She has been off the antibiotics for a week now and still sneezing and wheezing, not losing weight despite reduced feed. I can't put in back in the with flock for fear of infecting or losing them all yet I know its not fair on her to keep her in a cage in the garage forever.

 

The test were done to find out an answer to enable the rest of the flock to be treated as necessary but it hasn't solved the problem.

 

So what would your advice be, would it be kinder to let her go or persevere with her in isolation. I am in such a dilemma over this, she is perky in herself, nice red comb etc.

Edited August 24, 2015 by Guest

[gavclojak]

I think I remember OP. I think the conclusion was that it could be peritonitis. I'm only giving you what happened with my girl who had EP

She had her yummy drained a few times and an implant fitted, she lasted a few weeks post implant then passed away. The fact she isn't eating and still not losing weight could be due to it being fluid in the abdomen and not fat?? I think the consensus is that you cannot cure EP but in some cases manage the symptoms. I think when there is no improvement and her quality of life as a hen is affected then your decision is made isn't it

[Olly]

It's a tough decision, and it's not made any easier by the fact that she seems well in herself.

 

Egluntyne has a very wise saying on this: is what we are doing prolonging life, or prolonging death?

For me, it's all about quality of life, whether it's a hen or any other animal- are they able to enjoy their normal behaviours, or are they just getting through the day.

 

Only you can decide. If the vet can't identify a problem, is there any reason to think she might be infectious? It would obviously be preferable if she could go back with the flock. Otherwise I think you've done all you can for her.

[mollyripkim]

Thank you Beantree but EP definitely been ruled out, I took her to Andover to a specialist Avian vet.

 

Thanks Olly too, thats a really wise saying and I think sums it up, although she is still sneezing and wheezing she hasn't really got a good quality of life for a chicken as she is in an indoor rabbit cage in isolation, albeit she is bright in herself. I guess getting though the day is all she is doing at the moment.

 

The avian vet said he can't rule out that she is infectious as she is still sneezing although the Endoscopy and Laraopscopy didn't show anything specific, he said it probably started with a micro plasma type illness.

 

Guess I am really going to have to make a decision one way or the other but it really helps having other people's perspective on it.

[gavclojak]

Ah so EP has been ruled out. You have done so much for her already and it's really by an easy decision to make as we all know. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[mollyripkim]

Sorry Gavclojac, meant to put your name about EP, don't know how I managed to put Beantree.

[mollyripkim]

Poor Elsie was still wheezing and sneezing this morning so made the sad decision to let her go, the vet was very kind and agreed it was the right decision, it was hard as she was still perky in herself, but we had explored every angle for treatment to no avail. Oddly the weather helped as it is pouring with rain so the garage door was shut and it made me think about her living like that forever.

[gavclojak]

Really sorry to hear your news but i personally think you have made the right decision for her however hard it was for you. when they can no longer function as a chicken in a flock then you have to consider your options.

sleep tight little Elsie and say hello to my gone girls for me XX

[mollyripkim]

Oh, thats really sweet thank you Gavclojak, I know you are right.