Yoko off to the vet tomorrow

[Oola]

Tomorrow we're taking our hen Yoko to the vet to get some of her egg yolk drained off from her abdomen. She's huge now, and we thought we ought to get it down now. We decided a while back to only have it done when necessary, to minimise the discomfort for Yoko. She's been getting more and more tired, a clear sign that she really needs it doing now.
It's a different vet doing it this time; our old vet left for pastures new, and although we've had a couple of appointments with our new vet, we've lost the relationship we built up with our old vet, and how she knew our animals.

But the good news is that our new vet lists exotics and birds amongst her specialist interests. I'm hoping that it bodes well for Yoko tomorrow, as we're seeing whether her procedure can be done without anaesthetic (which would carry a much higher risk in itself). Last time it was successful, but they only took 20ml of fluid out - we were hoping for around 200ml. I explained this and our vet said she'd see what she could do, but you can't take too much fluid out because of the effect it can have on the organs, which would make her go into shock. Birds are very prone to shock, so you have to be extra careful. They also have to be careful not to introduce any bacteria into her body, but as the whole thing is done in a sterile environment with sterile equipment, hopefully again the risk is minimal.

So I'm getting quite agitated and nervous about it all, I'll have to wait in reception whilst Yoko goes in tomorrow. It only took them 10 mins or so last time, so I'm hoping that this time I won't have to wait too long to find out if she's ok or not.

[sunflower]

Hi Oola, just read your thread. Hope all goes really well with Yoko, and that the new vet will become a good friend. xxx

[Crocus]

Hi Oola, hope it goes well at the vet for Yoko - let us know the outcome please? Best wishes for you to in the waiting room. xxxx

[Katelb]

Hi Oola,any word on Yoko? I do hope you .and Yoko have managed to establish an initial rapport with the new vet,and the treatment has been sussessful.

[Oola]

Hi everyone

Well Yoko is back in one piece. The new vet is good, she's not new new, because we've had a couple of appointments with her, and it turns out she was around last time Yoko had her procedure done.

They tried doing the same procedure again,but unfortunately they managed to get even less out this time. They only managed 5mls because the stuff in her abdomen is so thick, it almost blocks the biggest needle they could fit in there. So for now we're trying to 'trick' Yoko into thinking the days are shorter by putting her to bed earlier. The aim is to try and get her biological clock to think it's winter, and stop producing eggs. Then she'll be able to reabsorb some of the fluid back into her system, and the swelling may go down. That's the plan. If it gets to the point where we really think she's going downhill and not coping with it, then surgery to remove the fluid is an option, but carries a lot of risk. But if she's going to die anyway, then if she goes under anaesthetic it wouldn't be a terrible thing. But that's a final last option. We'll try this light restriction first - only 10 hours of daylight and 14 hours of 'sleep' time. She gets quite tired and I think the days are too long for her at the moment anyway, so I don't see it'll be a problem.

[Crocus]

Hi Oola, glad to hear the vet could at least get some of the stuff out and I hope the 'trick' works. Must you take her back to the vet some time to check if everything is fine? xx

[jazzactivist]

Hi Oola, sorry t hear about Yoko's continuing problems. Hopefully the 'winter' trick will help her to relax and reabsorb some. It is a very difficult position to be in, I know, but because you care so much about her you will make the right decisions. I think that adopting rescue animals and birds does seem to bring some hereditary difficulties. My neighbours recently brought back two Dartmoor rescue ponies and both have had to have tracheotomies as they developed severe breathing difficulties which the Vet says is quite common in rescue ponies if they have suffered neglect or been too in-bred.

[sunflower]

Hi Oola, several weeks ago, when I contacted an expert who sells Flubenvet for gape worm, he also gave me some interesting information. This guy stated that, to give hens a rest from egg producing you can bring about a 'winter season' for your hens. They are not to be offered layers mash or pellets, but instead only corn. He said this also brings about a moult which automatically stops egg production. During this time, the hens are offered poultry spice, and lifeguard in their water to build them up. He personally thought that all ex bats should go through this artifical winter season to give them a rest after constantly producing. At the time, I thought this would be too traumatic for hens recently rescued, but, Yoko is emotionally happy and settled now, so this method maybe worth a try. Lots of love to her.xxxx

[Oola]

HI sunflower, yes we've heard of that too, and it's basically what we're doing with reducing Yoko's light. She prefers mixed corn to layers mash too - but she has wet layers mash. We used to give them poultry spice in their water but they weren't always that keen on it. However, we're going to be putting CCF and Avipro in their food and water during this time so that Yoko can get extra nutrients and energy during her shorter days. She has a tendency to eat a lot of her food later on in the day, so we're trying to encourage her to graze more. Going to try putting some sunflower seeds (too many for hens that lay normally can result in soft shells though) in her food (she loves them), and give them some dried mealworms soaked in water too for a bit of variety.

[Crocus]

Hi Oola, how is Yoko doing today? xxx

[TIGGYWINKLE]

My heart goes out to you Oola. I hope Yoko is doing well. I always worry about rescue animals, in so far as having so many complaints, and what it must cost to have them treated, not to mention the upset you have to ensure. Do you get sponsership from the Blue Cross or anyone for doing this.? I love animals, but I don't think I could cope with the emotion of it all. Take care, and I hope she gets better. TIGGYWINKLE X

[sandybay]

Fingers crossed for Yoko.

[Oola]

Yoko seems to be ok at the moment, much more sprightly since her days aren't so long. It's Pattie that I'm really worried about at the moment, she seems very tired and down despite having had a course of antibiotics. The frustrating thing is she goes through a cycle of being like this - excessive drinking, stops eating so much, then gets very tired, then mopes for a week or so before bouncing back to her usual self. She's fine for 3 weeks or so and then does the whole thing again. The vet seems to think it's part and parcel of her sterile EYP problem, but I'm not so sure. Rich and I might send off some poo to a place called Retford, who'll anaylse it for us and explain the results (cheaper and faster than going through the vet). We're sure there's something else going on there. Very worrying and taxing

[Crocus]

Goodness Oola, you really have a struggle with your beloved chooks! I hope you can sort something out with Pattie as well.:)