The Poultry Keeper

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

I noticed about a week ago that Shadow had been drinking quite a lot, didn't think too much of it but kept it in the back of my mind - then yesterday morning she was panting heavily even though it was cool, I noticed her water was empty so refilled it and she drank nearly a full litre in one sitting! I phoned the vets who thankfully were open on a Sunday and took her in, bloods showed high levels of urea, low blood count and really high haemoglobin and MCH (which I don't remember what the vet said it was)

We were sent home with antibiotics but this morning I noticed patches of urine in various places, and her bed was wet - which seems to suggest she was leaking urine rather than actually 'going' if you know what I mean..

anyway, I took her back this morning, got a urine sample which showed protein and blood and instructions to keep an eye on her as kidney problems can go downhill fast. They're sending off samples for culture and for analysis out of house and hopefully should have some results back Wednesday though the culture will take longer.

She's not panting anymore but she is very quiet - I was told to take her back if she seems depressed and not with it but I don't know where to draw the line, she's certainly not herself but I don't know if it's bad enough to take her back in - I don't want to seem like an overly anxious mother but equally I don't want her collapsing on me!

debcat · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

If it was me I'd err on the side of caution if it was one of my animals
After all your the one who knows her best, you could always phone them and ask for advice if you think she is getting worse

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

I've phoned up and they basically said that she will be quiet and will rest more but as long as she responds when I call her and perks up for treats don't worry too much - if she is slow to respond or starts having other difficulties then call back without delay.

She's in the bad books now though - took a silkie cross when I wasn't looking, killed it instantly..

it's only about 7 weeks but not wanting to waste it I've now got a poussin sitting in the fridge!

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 2429 Location: Monmouthshire

She probably thought she could get away with behaving badly because she's 'sickanill' as the children always put it.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

Yeah probably - well she didn't get told off as such, just sent to bed with a very stern look. I don't know if she's sick or sulking now though!

She's still very quiet but is responding fine - hopefully she'll improve overnight...

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 1972 Location: South Cumbria

sorry about the hen but hopefully it means your dog is recovering

Bhindi · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

I hope too, that she's on the mend.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

I'm almost positive the chicken was a rooster anyway, so he was only bound for the table - had hoped to get a little more meat on him before then though!

Shadow has stopped the constant panting now which I'm very relieved about, however she has also stopped drinking which I'm not sure whether to be happy or not about - the vet said it was important for her to keep hydrated and to make sure she has plenty of water down, even if it means giving her two water bowls. She's hardly touched it today though - I hope that means she's improving and just doesn't need so much.

Of course her lethargy could be to do with the new bed I got her from the charity shop today - it's beautiful, I don't think I'd want to get out of it either!

CP · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 1:32 am Post subject:

I hope she's feeling better. Wink

jaydee67 · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:

How is she today?

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

She is definitely better than yesterday, still very quiet but not panting at all and more perky at the sound of anything remotely food-like.

Thankyou for asking Smile

The vet just rang with the urine results a few moments ago and they are all clear, protein showed up on the dipstick but its within normal levels. Just waiting for the culture to come back and finishing the course of antibiotics. Hopefully it was just a nasty infection that will be cleared up asap!

In other news I had to take one of the snakes to the vets today too as she has been regurgitating up her meals since laying about a month ago - more antibiotics!

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1115 Location: Clawddnewydd

A tip I picked up for getting dogs to drink is to add a teaspoon or two of honey to their drinking water, they seem to absolutely love it Very Happy

Hope Shadow is well soon, I know.... its terribly worrying when they are ill as they cant tell you whats wrong with them. Keep an eye on her, I had similar problems with Moss. Think about making an appointment for a months time for another bloodtest just to make sure she is over it

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

Thankyou - that's a good idea!

I'll definitely try the honey thing too as she's never seemed to drink enough (urine is always very strong smelling)

Pat · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Posts: 561

Hope Shadow soon picks up to full health she's adorable, if you need to rehome you know where I am Wink

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 452 Location: Manchester

haha - yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath on that one Wink

She's still quiet, which is unusual since the vet said rest and no walks I'd have expected her to be bouncing off the walls!

Hopefully we should get the culture back by the end of the week and we'll have a better idea what was going on.

I had the 'poussin' that shadow kindly dispatched for me last night. It wasn't very meaty but was very tasty. Probably about as much meat as a quail but more widely spaced, lol

Jet black bones too!