Drained ascites fluid and now in respiratory distress

TwoCrows said:

@dana0710

This happens when you drain too much out and too fast. They can actually go into cardiac arrest. This gurgling and gasping for air is her going into cardiac arrest.

If you have a hen with a weak heart, as it sounds like this hen you have does, I have found that it is far easier on the hen if you only suck out 2 or 3 ml in several spots on the abdomen and let them drip the rest out. You will find that one side of the abdomen tends to have more fluid in it, or at least that you can access. I will suck out a couple of ml in up to 6 places and then stop. And I always stop if they start to go into cardiac arrest. Even though you only drew out maybe 10 total ml, all these poke holes are going to drain out within the next 24 hours and the bird will drip themselves dry. I will use the same needle, but use an alcohol wipe on the skin before each poke and then wipe the needle after each poke. Make sure to use a 20 or an 18 gauge. I have used a 20 with great success, although the 18 will leave a bigger hole for better drainage, but the 20 will also allow for great dripping afterwards. I try to get at least 6 holes going for the best dripping. Keep her someplace clean for the next 24 hours so she doesn't get dirt in these poke holes.

And again, this is the process I use on a bird with a heart condition. Your girl may have a heart condition as well judging from the gasping episode. You need to go easier with birds in this condition. Trying to remove too much fluid so quickly can stop a bad heart.

Good luck with her! Great job on the draining however!! I was horribly nervous the first time I did it. LOL It gets a lot easier each time you do it.

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