My Cyn could be really ill :(

[Oola]

Been having a read up and it seems Cyn's symptoms match up with something called Lymphoid Leukosis. It's basically a cancer that can affect their liver, kidneys, ovaries or spleen.

Cyn's symptoms match the abdominal swelling, the sour crop, the greenish poo and the reduced egg production. It says it takes around 6 months to reach the final stage, and Cyn has been getting this sour crop for 6 months now. She's taking a lot longer to get better (could be because she had the oral baytril which causes problems with fungal infections), and she's never been this poorly with it. Her comb is still floppy, she's only just started drinking yet and she hasn't eaten anything for the past 3 days or so. We're really worried about her. They are born with the LL virus (sometimes it can be contagious, which is worrying because Pattie has also had a bout of sour crop over the past two days but is managing fine with it) and there's nothing you can do if they have it. There's no treatment.

I'm really hoping it's not that, but so much points to it that I'm preparing myself for the worst :(

[Crocus]

Hi Oola, you've really had a bad time with Cyn these past few months!

[Oola]

We had to have her put to sleep this afternoon

R.I.P. Cynthia my baby girl xxxx

[Crocus]

Oh no Oola, I'm so sorry to hear this! It hurts, I know, we also had to have 2 pet dogs put to sleep in the past and it really hurts. But perhaps you can also feel a bit relieved for Cyn not to suffer anymore. xxx

[sheddie]

So sorry Oola and Rich I can't bear suffering! I have to look at it that if you love someone or something enough you couldn't wish them back ill. I still miss my two dogs I lost called Sam and Charlie who went through so much with me when I lost my Mum.Thinking of you at this time. XX

[Healing Hands]

I am sorry to hear about poor cynthia I know how much you loved her. Take Care and thinking of you. xxx

[Pippa]

Sorry to hear about your poor chook, she sounded an absolute character.

[jazzactivist]

I am sorry to hear about Cynthia, Oola. It is a really difficult decision to make, but you didn't want her to suffer and have put so much energy into giving her the best chance possible.

[Ivy]

Oh I am sorry Oola but I am sure you did what was best for her and saved her unnecessary
pain. I hope the other girls will be ok. Ivy xxx

[Crocus]

Hi Oola, how are you doing today?

[sheddie]

Hi Oola thinking about you. X

[dinger]

So sorry to hear your poor Cyn has been taken from you Oola .I'm sure you always did your best for her and she knew she was loved .x

[sunflower]

Dear Oola, Sooo sorry to hear about your little Cyn. It's heartbreaking. But just think of the wonderful life you gave her Oola. You rescued her from that hen hell concentration camp, and let her experience being a truly beauitful hen. To feel the sun on her feathers, to dustbathe. To have all that freedom on your land. You gave her a wonderful gift...to be herself and die a fulfilled creature. xxxx

[Katelb]

Hi Oola,have only just caught up with this sad thread,I really am so very sorry about poor Cyn,but a although you must be be very sad about it all at present,Sunflower is quite right in saying that you took such good care of her and that you should try to think of that side of it all ,you gave freedom to be herself,and the companionship of other chooks,and all credit to you being the caring soul that you are.She was such a character was'nt she,and you did the most unselfish thing you could do by giving her a wonderful home and then preventing her suffering further.
I do know how hard it is to have an animal put to sleep but if you really love them ,their wellbeing and dignity comes first.
Hope you are feeling a little better by now,take care.

[Oola]

Hi all

thanks so much for your kind words. I know it might seem ridiulous to some people to be so upset over a chicken, but she was a pet and I got to know her character so well. It was a hard yet easy decision to make, given how poorly she was.

I've had a few blubs over the past couple of days, I do miss her but I know it was the best thing to do for her. It's just getting over them not being around anymore, far harder on us than them I think!

I wish things were back to normal, but unfortunately Pattie is having problems so we're going through the whole vet rigmarole with her at the moment. The problem is it takes so long to find a definitive answer to what is wrong with them. We're not sure what her outcome will be but keeping everything crossed that it's not too serious or sinister. Just another stress and worry...

[Crocus]

Hi Oola, it's not ridiculous to feel the way you feel about your chickens. They are your beloved pets, like some have dogs, or cats or whatever kind of animal. The "look after", "to nuture" and mother instincts are very strong in us women. Especially where you rescued these chickens, these instincts will perhaps even be stronger.

I'm also very worried about Pinky as she has developed a lump under her left front arm, more behind the arm actually. First the vet said that we must just leave it as it is, as the anaesthetic will probably be to much for her, but now this lump has become very large. I can't cover it with my hand anymore! Last night we decided to take her to the vet next week to see what can be done. She is old, 10 years, and also has a hart murmur which is apparantly very common in the Maltese breed. But I cannot leave it like that any longer, because it will get cancerous, if it not already has. I can't see that it bothers her, but something must be done about it.

[Katelb]

Oh Crocus,I am so sorry about dear little Pinky, hopefully it will turn out to be harmless but I can quite understand why you want to get it sorted,it must be a little uncomfortable for her with the area that it is in.Hiedi,one of our dogs had a massive lump on her leg,and she had it removed twice,but like your vet,when she got a bit older we were advised to leave well alone,but it was not in such an awkward place as Pinkie's. I do hope everything goes OK when you seek advice,and give her a cuddle from me. x

[mrsj]

Sorry this is so late Oola but I was sorry to read about your hen, we have lost some to Marek's which is similar and also pretty awful as there isn't a cure. Thinking of you XXX