Dandelion isn’t looking good

Last night once all the girls were in the chicken shed and the automatic door had closed I placed Dandelion on her roost spot. I was surprised to find an egg in the cat box.

This morning she was last out of the shed and when I checked her she looked just the same as the day before .

Dandelion this morning not looking at all happy

It’s not looking good

I cleaned her up once more and pushed the prolapse back in this time with some honey. Honey is hydrophobic, a natural antibiotic and sticky which may hold the prolapse in. It worked last year with Rusty’s first prolapse.

By lunch time when I returned from my deliveries and checked on Dandelion she looked the same once more. I was so disappointed that the honey hadn’t kept the prolapse in.

I bought her inside and repeated the process of cleaning her and pushing the prolapse back in with honey.

When I next checked on her she looked even more miserable. I am now worried that she may be in pain and I know that I can’t let this go on much longer.

Dandelion looks in pain

Speckles was watching over her and keeping her company.

I had hoped that if she could keep the prolapse in she would stop laying and would have a chance to heal. Instead she looks so much worse in herself than yesterday. I can’t bare the thought of letting her go but I also I can’t bare the idea of her suffering.

I know that tomorrow I must make a decision based on how she is then. I only have a breakfast delivery tomorrow so as soon as I return I will make the decision and phone the vet for an appointment if  she is no better.

I am feeling very heavy hearted right now.

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10 Responses to Dandelion isn’t looking good

  1. marion.pharo says:

    Poor little girl,It must be heart breaking for you Such a sweet little one.

    • Carol says:

      It is horrible. She has perked up a bit this afternoon in herself but she just can’t seem to keep the prolapse in. She looked much better at the vets than now but I think it’s the egg that was her downfall. It’s such a shame she had to lay an egg as the prolapse has worsened since then. I am going to clean her and put it in again at bedtime in the hope that she may improve overnight. It’s a faint hope though.

  2. Sophie says:

    Oh Carol, I am so sorry – this is such a nightmare for you. There has recently been a discussion on the omlet forum about hens being spade by a miracle vet in Banbury. If you want his details I can get them for you but I realise it’s not for everyone. I am sending positive vibes your way.xx

    • Carol says:

      I have read that it is really expensive and I don’t think it would help me now anyway but thank you for thinking of me. Tonight she put herself to bed early so I brought her in and cleaned her again and pushed the prolapse back in with the honey again and then returned her to her roost. I hope that if she doesn’t poop much if at all overnight it may still be in place in the morning. It is the nest I can do and all I can hope for at the moment. xx

  3. Sophie says:

    I know you’ll do your very best for her xx

    • Carol says:

      The problem is that it isn’t just about stopping her laying it’s about keeping the prolapse in at the moment. After Rusty I wouldn’t consider operation or anesthetic as that is what killed Rusty. These little girls are too small for that. I will keep doing all I can though.xx

  4. Mary says:

    Hi Carol,

    I’m a lurker on your blog and sorry to hear about the relapse.

    Here’s a link with a successful healing of chicken prolapse, hope it helps to provide an alternative treatment plan for Dandelion. If the link is blocked as spam, let me know and I can email to you.
    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/

    • Carol says:

      Thank you I will take a look. The good news is that the prolapse has stayed in overnight and is still in at the moment so I am more hopeful.

  5. Kevin says:

    Hi Carol,

    Just been catching up after a while of not checking in. The chicks are coming on great.

    I’m sorry to read about Dandelion’s prolapse but seen your comment that it’s stayed put overnight which is good.

    • Carol says:

      The chicks are doing great. I have just removed the dog crate.

      Dandelion’s prolapse stayed in over night and I have just seen her poop properly without getting mucky. I think that if she takes a break from laying she will be okay but if she lays again soon she will be in trouble again. I am hoping that the stress will cause a break in laying and the longer the better.

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