Plum Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 My 6 yr old wyandotte bantam can only stumble a few steps and uses wings to support herself for about 4 weeks. My vet thinks it's just due to a respiratory infection about a month ago but I'm not convinced. She had bubbles in her eye and an upper rattle for a few days which responded quickly to Tylan. I'm not sure whether it is cruel to keep her going and wondered what others would do? She's no areas of tenderness, heat or swelling or paralysis and not lost weight, has pink comb and eats and drinks. I've got her in a separate area of the run and have to lift her in and out of the cube and into the border in the garden for a change. She's been wormed defleed and deliced etc but no signs of parasites. She's on metacam and been on Tylan then Baytril for 3 weeks (no sign of infection anywhere). I'm giving her Lifeguard supplement and occassional cod liver oil in case it's vit D deficiency though vet says it's not. She's not laid for year or two and always been near bottom of pecking order. Any ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 If she doesn't seem to be suffering I guess that is a tricky one. It doesn't sound like she has much quality of life though to be honest with you and if she's been like it for about 4 weeks I wouldn't have thought she's going to get better. Giving advice I'd probably say PTS, but if she was mine I think I'd be more likely to keep caring for her as you ar if she didn't seem to be in any discomfort. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Its not an easy one She is of a good age but it doesn't sound like she is going to progress. I would hazard a guess she has succumbed to the respiratory problem because she is ill but that it's not the underlying problem. I know I'd struggle with seeing a hen unable to walk properly, its part of the essence of being a hen. She's been on powerful meds and they might have helped her fight off something, but they might also be prolonging her life artificially, I wonder if she is deteriorating without them, or whether her abilities have stayed the same over the past 4 weeks. I'd take a critical look at her quality of life (eg is she is eating/drinking/pooing normally for her, does she spend all day hunched up or fluffed up, are her eyes were bright and open, not closed a lot of the time, is her breathing normal and does she scratch and bathe, basically does she strike you as a normal chicken)? Unless I was happy she was being 'normal' in all respects except movement, then I would cull/PTS, but I have to say I'd probably cull/PTS anyway (although I might set myself a deadline for observation to give her a chance) as it sounds as though she couldn't manage in the flock without intervention from you. I don't think you are being cruel, and you must follow your own counsel, end of life decisions are so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Thank you both for your thoughts. She is normal in all other respects but who knows with a chicken they hide pain well and she is on pain killers - metacam. I had another good feel of her legs this morning and the only thing abnormal was she put her right wing out each time I put a finger against the underneath of her right hip joint. Maybe she has something going on there, she's well covered so bones in thigh are hard to feel. Going to research arthritis, fractures etc and see vet. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I have a hen with an arthritic leg, she hops rather than walks and flaps her wings to get to me quicker and has done for at least six months. I was worried it was broken at first but it's just arthritis so she has a dose of metacam every morning and is still top hen and enjoying life.when she can longer get herself in at nigh(I always lift her out in the morning) and not enjoy her life as a hen then I will have her PTS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Thanks for replying I was sure someone else must have a hen with similar problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Turned out it was neurological. She'd not improved and miserable even with metacam so said goodbye this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Sorry to hear that Plum RIP little girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 sleep tight little one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 That's sad Plum but at least you know you tried your best and did what was right. And 6 is a good age I would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Sorry to hear that. It sounds like she was happy until the end though which is all we'd all hope for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
