Frusimide and hens

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 19 Mar 2009, 21:17

Violet had yet another visit to the vet today as she is swollen under her tummy, so she walks a bit spread legged if that makes sense ?
He gave her frusimide but to be honest he is not really sure what it is, she is eating drinking and walking around with the other two.
He examined her and says it feels like fluid so hope the tablets work.
Has any one any ideas as to what it could be ?
Dee

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 19 Mar 2009, 21:40

Just read the post on water retention , now im panicking !!
She seems ok in herself , wolud hate to lose her now after everything she has been through , she is such a fighter.
If she does have ascites is it really a death sentance if so what do i do now ?
Dee

juicylucy · Post by **juicylucy** » 19 Mar 2009, 21:59

Oh dee try not to panic.
I havent ever had a hen with ascites so dont have too much experience with it, only the things i have read about it.
The fluid that your girl has may not be ascites.
where exactly is the fluid is it near the crop or is it her undercarriage towards the back kind of between her knees if that makes sense? x

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 19 Mar 2009, 22:31

Its her undercarriage, between her legs..
Im pretty sure she is not in pain.
Dee

juicylucy · Post by **juicylucy** » 19 Mar 2009, 23:18

Dee with ascites, the cause can be one of many things. If the feel of her is squashy and soft then you could get her drained by an avian specialist. If she feels sold and quite lumpy it could be EYP which can be kept at bay with baytril.
Its hard to determine why they fill up with fluid, i have had hens that have and they carry on quite happily. Some hens dont manage so well with it.
Theres not a lot that can be done apart from having her drained, but if she is comfortable and happy i would let her carry on and see if the meds the vet gave you reduce her swelling.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 20 Mar 2009, 08:56

Thanks for your replys Juicylucy
She seems to be coping ok, vet suggested scanning her to see if her heart or kidneys were failing but we decided to try frusimide.
If he had found something i would of had to decide weather to keep her or not and as she is not in any pain....she is wandering around with the other two i will just let her be.
If she goes downhill then i would do the dreaded thing but till then i will leave her be.
Not noticed her drinking much more water as yet but the vet said she should so will give some watery mash to make sure she is getting plenty of liquid.
Have a months supply of tablets so will see how she goes.
Still feel she a better quality of life than she did in the battery cages!!
May give the BHWT careline a call today.
Will keep you posted.
Thanks once again
Dee

juicylucy · Post by **juicylucy** » 22 Mar 2009, 12:53

Dee thats is exactly what i would do....let her carry on as long as she seems relatively happy )t'

You will know if she begins to suffer and then you can take things from there as to what will be best for her.
Its such a worry when a hen is poorly with something but you have done everything right, she has been seen by the vets and is on medication, so really its a wait and see situation.
Well done for your excellent care with her x

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 22 Mar 2009, 17:56

She has eaten quite well today and with the water in the food im not too bothered about the drinking side of things.
She is quieter than the other two and has just taken herself off to bed, but they have been up since six this morning so i suppose if she is not one hundred percent thats to be expected.
thanks once again
Dee

heebiejeebie · Post by **heebiejeebie** » 23 Mar 2009, 19:26

Hi Dee, one of mine had the same problem. Fusemide helped slow the retention and if she got too swollen the vet would use a syringe to drain the fluid. She seemed fine otherwise and not in pain, happily joined in the scrum for porridge oats every evening. (Unfortunately the poor girl couldn't waddle very fast and the fox got her).

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 24 Mar 2009, 21:30

Thats good to know, thought about having her drained but she seems to be coping.
Did you have her on frusimide all of the time and would you have any idea of the dosage as the vet was not too sure as he had never given it to a hen before.
She is running around ok or should i say waddling !!
Dee