HELP! Gasping for air/Swollen eyes?

The packet says it all. Very common spice used in Indian cookery.
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I wrote down the steps I went through to post it - a bit long winded but works fine.
The most tricky bit is getting the image small enough for the site to accept. The image above is 800 by 600 pixels and that is the maximum landscape format. I downloaded an app called image resized on my phone but desktop programs like Photoshop will also do it.
Select 'Post Reply' as you would to post on the forum normally with the full editor.
At the bottom of the page select the tab 'upload attachment'
'Browse' to find the image you want to post on your computer
When the address of the image is in the window click the 'add the file' button
The image address will then appear in 'Posted Attachments' list.
Click the 'Place Inline' button
The link to the image will then appear in the text editor and you can type your post above or below it.
If you click 'Preveiw ' then you can see what it will look like before you 'Post'
 
image.jpeg

Not sure if this will work. Oh good, it seems to have done! Thank you Rick. I just downloaded an image resizing program called iResize which appears to work from my camera roll in my iPad. I used to be able to do it on my laptop but that's now defunct and not been replaced. I couldn't ever manage it from my iPad.
There seemed o be lots of resizing programs in the App Store, most of them with either no reviews or very poor ones. This one had some good reviews and was 79p. Ever so easy to use from an iPad.
 
She looks a lovely little bird. She is a little anaemic but doesn't look too hunched up, fingers crossed she will start to show some improvement soon.
 
She looks pale and tired. Anemic as dinosaw said. I take it she's not laying?
It's important to always complete a course of antibiotics but, and I'm sticking my neck out here and do not wish to go against the cavat at the top of this section - 'vet always knows best', I think the prescriptions have been a bit of a shot in the dark.
Some extra iron would be my guess. Can you get fresh spinach? Along with a good, balanced diet of course but you say she is eating well enough? Good quality pellets or crumble should provide all she needs generally it's just thinking how it might be tweaked to give her a boost and I'm thinking heart/blood might be where it's needed.
I'm just guessing along the lines of what I might try myself.. Try to get her system back into a proper ballance and you must be brave, for her sake, if she takes a turn too far downhill - but I really hope that doesn't happen.
 
rick said:
She looks pale and tired. Anemic as dinosaw said. I take it she's not laying?
It's important to always complete a course of antibiotics but, and I'm sticking my neck out here and do not wish to go against the cavat at the top of this section - 'vet always knows best', I think the prescriptions have been a bit of a shot in the dark.
Some extra iron would be my guess. Can you get fresh spinach? Along with a good, balanced diet of course but you say she is eating well enough? Good quality pellets or crumble should provide all she needs generally it's just thinking how it might be tweaked to give her a boost and I'm thinking heart/blood might be where it's needed.
I'm just guessing along the lines of what I might try myself.. Try to get her system back into a proper ballance and you must be brave, for her sake, if she takes a turn too far downhill - but I really hope that doesn't happen.
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This picture of Lilybug is actually in the earlier stages of her illness. She looks worse right now. She is definitely anemic and I've been trying to tackle that problem but not sure exactly how.A vet had told me to add sugar to their drinking water.I did that for like a month but got scared that to much sugar would do harm. I actually have spinach in my fridge that I had bought for her but I read online that spinach decreases their calcium absorption, so I did not give it to her.She has been on her antibiotics for 5 days now and is suppose to complete it till gone.There is a lot left! These decisions are so hard, but they didn't do any good before why would it be different now.She is on medicated chick crumbles as suggested by vet along with all the supplemental food I've been feeding her and vitamins!Any iron ideas would be great.Thank you kindly.
 
dinosaw said:
She looks a lovely little bird. She is a little anaemic but doesn't look too hunched up, fingers crossed she will start to show some improvement soon.
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She is very lovely! And sweet! Thank you :D Like I told Rick....this picture is from the earlier stages of her illness.She has gotten worse, but I refuse to give up and obviously so does she!
 
Marigold said:
I wonder in you've noticed the Poultrykeeper main website? (Link st the bottom if each Forum page.) it's a veritable poultry encyclopaedia, very useful and practical. You might be interested in the section on ?External Problems, see https://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/ which describes various skin infestations such as chicken lice and Northern Fowl Mite. Whatever yours has got, Ivermectin is probably the normal treatment, in moderation.
Turmeric is often sold in food shops. It's a yellow powder of plant origin, often used as a natural food colouring, eg to make rice golden,as well as some health uses.
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I will definitely check that link out. I could kick myself for not educating myself about internal and external parasites a long time ago. I've raised chickens for 10 years and never had the problem so it never crossed my mind :x I'm wondering if the bugs could have that much effect on Lilybug to make her this ill or if it is just a coincidence that she got ill at the same time.Plus our eldest died from gasping for air before we found the bug problem! What a mystery. Thank you for the link.
 
A bit of everything in moderation is fine I think. Spinach, greens and green cabbage, cauliflower leaves, they all should have some iron, vits and minerals. If you also have a bowl with oyster shell or limestone grit freely available she will take extra calcium if she needs it.
The thing with antibiotics is that if you don't finish the course then there is a chance that a bacterium thats present may become immune to that antibiotic in the future. Any bactiria that survive the treatment will have heightened immunity and so the antibiotic becomes unless against that strain of infection. Personally, after all the treatment she's had I think it quite unlikely she has any infections left but I cannot know that. Most courses are 7 days. Ihf you were given a pot of powder then it's quite likely you were given more than enough so using it all up would probably take you way beyond what was neccessery. But I would hope there is a dosage and period of treatment on the prescription label. Tablets are differnt, you usually get exactly the right quantity and use them up.
 
rick said:
A bit of everything in moderation is fine I think. Spinach, greens and green cabbage, cauliflower leaves, they all should have some iron, vits and minerals. If you also have a bowl with oyster shell or limestone grit freely available she will take extra calcium if she needs it.
The thing with antibiotics is that if you don't finish the course then there is a chance that a bacterium thats present may become immune to that antibiotic in the future. Any bactiria that survive the treatment will have heightened immunity and so the antibiotic becomes unless against that strain of infection. Personally, after all the treatment she's had I think it quite unlikely she has any infections left but I cannot know that. Most courses are 7 days. Ihf you were given a pot of powder then it's quite likely you were given more than enough so using it all up would probably take you way beyond what was neccessery. But I would hope there is a dosage and period of treatment on the prescription label. Tablets are differnt, you usually get exactly the right quantity and use them up.
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Lilybug and the others gets oyster shells and grit everyday.They also get lettuce everyday but Lilybug doesn't show interest in the lettuce lately. What is everyones opinion on raw egg? They won't eat it scrambled, they used to eat it boiled but turn their noses up at it now, but when it is raw they LOVE it including our sick Lilybug!Normally I would let them have raw egg without worrying about it because I would only do it once a week,but since Lilybug LOVES it so much how often do you think I can give it to her?
 
My hens have never liked lettuce, well not the sort we get around here. Any supplements to her food shouldn't be more than 10% but then chickens do have an amazing ability to eat what they need. That assumes, of course, that everything they need is available to choose from. I occationally just break an egg on some pellets/crumble and give it a good stir. It's high in protein and she may be craving that for recovery.
But turning their beaks up to scrambled? My lot practically mug me if I walk into the coop with scrambled egg!
Something else occurred to me - eggs also have vitamin D. If she's been indoors for a long time then she may also be short of that. There's nothing wrong with raw egg generally except if they actually figure it out and start breaking eggs - but that is the least of your worries where Lillybug is concerned.
Cod liver oil is good for a single boost of vit D. 1 level teaspoon on the days ration but just for one day as a top up. When a hen is really ill and will eat nothing then cat food is popular as a last resort. Again, high in oils and protein in an emergency.
 
rick said:
My hens have never liked lettuce, well not the sort we get around here. Any supplements to her food shouldn't be more than 10% but then chickens do have an amazing ability to eat what they need. That assumes, of course, that everything they need is available to choose from. I occationally just break an egg on some pellets/crumble and give it a good stir. It's high in protein and she may be craving that for recovery.
But turning their beaks up to scrambled? My lot practically mug me if I walk into the coop with scrambled egg!
Something else occurred to me - eggs also have vitamin D. If she's been indoors for a long time then she may also be short of that. There's nothing wrong with raw egg generally except if they actually figure it out and start breaking eggs - but that is the least of your worries where Lillybug is concerned.
Cod liver oil is good for a single boost of vit D. 1 level teaspoon on the days ration but just for one day as a top up. When a hen is really ill and will eat nothing then cat food is popular as a last resort. Again, high in oils and protein in an emergency.
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That is hilarious about the mugging! I needed a laugh! I wanted to let you know that Lilybug has had 3 decent nights in the row with the gasping for air while roosting.The gasping has not been as intense or even at all.She still is very ill, but maybe this is a sign of a road to recovery. My husband said not to get my hopes built up because she definitely is far from better and looks so poorly.She is trying so hard and I think I will reward her with some raw egg tomorrow morning.The Cod liver oil sounds like a really good idea.I will get some for sure.I also want to look into getting some of that tumernic stuff from an earlier post.Luckily every since I've been giving her Nutri-Cal she started to eat better.Not great, but better,so I'll keep the cat food thing in mind. In fact, I might just buy some just so I have it! I want to thank you Rick for all your input! You have been so very helpful :-)17 Thank you so very much! Lilybug thanks you too!
 
Don't forget good old cheap tinned tuna for a pick me up and treat, I get mugged for that, which I sometimes give as a one off; and it does not taint the eggs at all.
 
valeriebutterley said:
Don't forget good old cheap tinned tuna for a pick me up and treat, I get mugged for that, which I sometimes give as a one off; and it does not taint the eggs at all.
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That's good to know too. I usually always have that in the house.In water though,right? I'm gonna need an extra pantry and mini fridge just for my chickens! :-)11
 
rick said:
The packet says it all. Very common spice used in Indian cookery.

I wrote down the steps I went through to post it - a bit long winded but works fine.
The most tricky bit is getting the image small enough for the site to accept. The image above is 800 by 600 pixels and that is the maximum landscape format. I downloaded an app called image resized on my phone but desktop programs like Photoshop will also do it.
Select 'Post Reply' as you would to post on the forum normally with the full editor.
At the bottom of the page select the tab 'upload attachment'
'Browse' to find the image you want to post on your computer
When the address of the image is in the window click the 'add the file' button
The image address will then appear in 'Posted Attachments' list.
Click the 'Place Inline' button
The link to the image will then appear in the text editor and you can type your post above or below it.
If you click 'Preveiw ' then you can see what it will look like before you 'Post'
Click to expand...
Hello Rick. Do you remember me? Lilybug is still not well. I've tried everything but turmeric. I want to try it but all I can find is the tiny little spice turmeric from McCormic. It is brown if I remember right. Is this the right stuff?Also,I wanted to know other then Ivermectin,Poultry Protector, and DE Earth, what can I use to treat mites/lice. I don't think she has them but how can I be sure. They hide and if there is no nits couldn't they have them without you realizing it? That Flubenet( don't know if that is correct) is unavailable even online.Is there anything specifically for chickens? Also what type of store would I get a bigger quantity of Turmeric? Thank you in advance.
 
Hello, so sorry about your little hen, I do so hopes she improves.
If mine need a pick up, as I said, tuna is good, also eggs, raw, scrambled or hard boiled just get wolfed down.
I do not know about tumeric or its properties. Another good pick up is a product called Poultry tonic, from places like Mole Valley farmers or Rokers, my local stores, it is online to view, quite well known, and it does what it says for a couple of days anyway.
Also online layers pellets ready dosed with Flubenvet are available in both 10K and 20K bags, from "Marriages" the biggest makers of them I think, you need a prescription, but that also is available online from them, tell them you your hens are due for worming, all the instructions are on the bag.
All the best with your little girl.
 
Hello, I'm glad Lilybug is still with you. However, since she has been heavily medicated with various things over quite a long period, I would concentrate on feeding her up, as Val suggests, keeping her warm and dry, and generally making her comfortable. Then, either she will fight back and slowly get better, or at least you will know you've done everything for her that you can. I'm sorry to say that it's possible she has an internal tumour or other illness which is wasting her away, and if she hasn't responded to repeated antibiotics plus Ivermectin, there's very little else you can do for her, sad to say. The Ivermectin should have dealt with any worms or parasites and repeated doses of other products are just likely to further overload her system, I feel.
 
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Hi Motherhen. I'm sorry Lillybug isn't improving.
I've attached pictures of 'poultry spice' that I have a packet of. Not sure what general pick ups or tonics are available for chickens near you. Turmeric is one of the ingredients. I think turmeric is good stuff but it wont be the answer in itself.
Marigold is absolutely right - Chickens have an incredible physiology and capacity for healing. If you've dealt with infection and parasites (which may or may not have been the original problem) then good food and maybe a general tonic is all she will need to repair the damage if she can.
But if her physiology has gone wrong (I.e. tumors, chronic heart condition) then there is not going to be anything you can do. Birds are both incredibly tough and incredibly delicate - some things are untreatable or rather it would be very unfair to try. One thing not in the medicine cabinet for birds is pain relief and they have no way of expressing pain.
You may need to take a decision in Lillybug's best interest that she cannot take herself. I really hope it doesn't come to that but it is your responsibility and only you can decide if and when it's time to put to sleep.
Good, varied food! Good luck Lillybug!
 
Turmeric on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JMAXOC?psc=1
 
Marigold said:
Hello, I'm glad Lilybug is still with you. However, since she has been heavily medicated with various things over quite a long period, I would concentrate on feeding her up, as Val suggests, keeping her warm and dry, and generally making her comfortable. Then, either she will fight back and slowly get better, or at least you will know you've done everything for her that you can. I'm sorry to say that it's possible she has an internal tumour or other illness which is wasting her away, and if she hasn't responded to repeated antibiotics plus Ivermectin, there's very little else you can do for her, sad to say. The Ivermectin should have dealt with any worms or parasites and repeated doses of other products are just likely to further overload her system, I feel.
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I understand what you are saying, but there is something that confuses me. I had another hen whom was elderly have the same exact symptoms and she passed away while trying to give her medicine. What are the chances that they would both possibly have a tumor or heart condition etc. at the same time.And if it were some kind of contagious disease why aren't the others sick.Plus,she has been sick since late December-early January.That's a long time to hang on. I want to take her to a vet I found that knows about chickens so they can take xrays,and any other tests that might help to get to the bottom of this, but I don't have the money to do so.I am just so baffled by this.
 
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