Help, Im pretty sure its Ascites.

New to BYC. And I'm fairly new to this chicken raising thing. My girls are 2.5 and 2 are 5 months. One of my 2.5 year olds (black sexlink) has a very swollen belly. Fluid filled. I gave her a warm bath and checked for eggs. Then I found the info on Ascites which fits to a T. She's in good spirits, eating, scratching and comes running when I'm outside, but walks dragging her belly and her legs are going out a bit because there's so much fluid. They've been cooped up quite a bit more than usual due to neighbors dogs. Got my stuff together and drained some fluid. I took out 48 ml of fluid as she kept draining out (soaked a towel, the husband almost vomited-light weight) the color was brown/gold, no urine color or clear, like I saw in the videos. I'm wondering if she's got an infection going on also? Her belly is very warm and there's some red skin on her belly, not bleeding. I put her in a separate pen, warm and cozy, seems content, scratching, eating and making noise. Still very very swollen. Thinking I'll be at this draining thing a few more times. When she was little, didnt think she would make it as the others seemed to pick on her but that eventually stopped and she fit in nicely. Never had a sick one before. Any help is appreciated.

Welcome to BYC. Casportpony and some others have a few threads about ascites if you search ascites at the top of this page. I haven't treated it, but I have read that it can be from either heart failure or from liver failure secondary to egg yolk peritonitis and internal laying. Draining at intervals can relieve pressure, ease the pain, and lessen the breathing problems.

Thank you Eggsessive! I'm pretty certain that's what it is, I guess I'm more wondering about the color of the fluid. I will look at the other threads as you mentioned. Thanks again.

Here is a thread--look at post # 4 for ascites fluid: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance

The color I got was more brown/gold than yellow. I can't say if I've seen her lay for a while. I used to know who's was whos. It almost reminded me of, sorry to be gross, but when you have a bad sinus infection (the drainage) I'll go down today and seek out antibiotics and give her a whirl.

Some people use Baytril prescribed by a vet, and it is pretty powerful compared to feed store antibiotics, although it is not legal to use in chickens for eggs or meat. Enrofloxacin, available online, is very similar, and if you do a search at the top of this page, you should find some sources for buying it. Procaine Penicillin G is available at most feed stores in the refrigerated drugs. Dosage is 1/4 ml given 1/4 inch into the breast muscle with a 20 gauge needle once a day for 4 days. Shake well and refrigerate it.