Dolly Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Today I sadly said goodbye to my darling little Chloe. She had only been poorly since Monday after laying a shell-less egg but not really recovering from it. I took her to the vets last night for a check over as we are going away for a long weekend and she was staying with my in-laws, at this point she just looked a bit under the weather. The vet prescribed antibiotics and gave her an antibiotic injection too. However by this morning she was showing bouts of looking really quite unhappy, sitting down with her eyes closed and tentatively walking about, she also took a long time to come out of the run into the garden, she would still take food from me though. Based on this I made the decision it was time to say goodbye as I have had hens with similar signs before and they went downhill while I was away, despite my best efforts. But what I am really beating myself up about is that if we hadn’t have been going away, could I have given her those extra couple of days to see if the antibiotics worked? The vet I saw yesterday seemed to think if she hadn’t shown improvement in a couple of days then we may have to consider putting her to sleep but a different vet today initially thought time on the antibiotics might be worth a try, until I explained about us going away and I didn’t want her to be suffering in my absence. I hope I have done the right thing but I feel so guilty and heartbroken. What makes things worse is that she was my last hen and had been on her own quite happily for the last 10 months, so the garden is now empty and It’s very unlikely I will be having any more due to current health issues. Sleep tight my beautiful darling Chloe, play forever with your best friend Bella xx 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 So sorry to read about Chloe. You will have done the right thing for her and we all have our moments of 'if only I'd done this' It does hurt when we lose a much loved pet but don't feel guilty, you did your best for her xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Sending love, so sorry. It's so hard to say goodbye and to make that call. But I'm sure you did the right thing; we know in our guts when the time is right. They seem to go downhill really fast so sounds like you just spared her lots of suffering. Sorry re no more chooks and poor health. That must be hard. Sending hugs xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 I'm very sorry to read this. I hope you're ok. *hug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 So sorry. Just think of all the good days you gave her. She’s at peace now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 Thank you so much for your lovely replies, it really does help. I can’t bring myself to go into the garden to put the eglu away or take down the WIR, it’s still too soon but equally it’s hard seeing it there. Maybe I’ll have some more girls in the future, I’ve loved having them for the last 10 years but I need a break for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 A big hug from me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Sorry to hear it You did the right thing getting her seen quickly Hope your health issue resolve and allow you to get more ladies in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
