14 Week old d'Uccle with Swollen abdomen

[mymilliefleur]

Last night I noticed one of my 14 week old d'Uccle pullets seemed a little ''off''. I picked her up and found that she was very thin and light feeling, and her abdomen was very swollen. It felt almost like some one had pumped her up with air. She has gotten this way very quickly, as she was fine last week.
She is drinking, eating, and pooping, though her poop is runny and smells bad.
When she's not doing anything she just stands in one place and strains a bit.
I do not think this is egg related at all since she is no where near laying.
All the other birds in the coop seem to be healthy and thriving.
Any idea what could be wrong with her? Is there anything I can do for her, or should I cull and necropsy?

 

[Kiki]

What do you feed your flock?
Can you post a picture of her...from view to see this swollen area?

 

[mymilliefleur]

What do you feed your flock?
Can you post a picture of her...from view to see this swollen area?

She is fed 18% non GMO starter grower, which I ferment.
I'm about to upload some photos.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Here are some photos. The swelling is not very obvious unless you pick her up.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is her belly soft or firm and tight? Could it be air under the skin? Some possible causes might be an intestinal affliction, such as coccidiosis or worms, ascites or fluid in the abdomen from heart failure, or a leaking air sac. You may want to get some droppings checked ASAP by a vet for cocci and worms, and possibly a gram stain for enteritis. Or start some Corid for possible coccidiosis for 7 days. Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of the powder per gallon of water. I love my Mille Fleur d'uccle, so hope she gets better.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Is her belly soft or firm and tight? Could it be air under the skin? Some possible causes might be an intestinal affliction, such as coccidiosis or worms, ascites or fluid in the abdomen from heart failure, or a leaking air sac. You may want to get some droppings checked ASAP by a vet for cocci and worms, and possibly a gram stain for enteritis. Or start some Corid for possible coccidiosis for 7 days. Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of the powder per gallon of water. I love my Mille Fleur d'uccle, so hope she gets better.

Her abdomen is firm, but it feels air filled, not fluid filled.
Interesting that you mentioned Cocci. This pullet did get cocci when she was ~6 weeks old, and I successfully treated her with corid. Should I put her back on Corid? Possibly worm?

 

[Eggcessive]

Usually a leaking air sac will fill puffy, not firm. I would try the Corid again. Sometimes they can have cocci and get it again or get enteritis. A fecal float test by the vet would be good, but you could go ahead and start Corid in the meantime. Make sure that she is drinking plenty. Enteritis would be treated with Corid, plus an antibiotic from your vet. Here is some reading about enteritis and leaking air sac:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/101/necrotic-enteritis/
http://ijasvm.com/ijasvmadmin/upload/IJASVM_5113cbc51d31b.pdf

 

[mymilliefleur]

@Eggcessive Thank you! I will read up on the links you posted.
I'm afraid this pullet is not longer with us. I went out to check on her a few minutes ago, and she was stretched out in one corner of the cage, dead. I feel bad for not discovering she had this problem sooner, but I'm glad that she is no longer suffering. I will do a necropsy on her in the morning. Again, thank you!

 

[Kiki]

@Eggcessive Thank you! I will read up on the links you posted.
I'm afraid this pullet is not longer with us. I went out to check on her a few minutes ago, and she was stretched out in one corner of the cage, dead. I feel bad for not discovering she had this problem sooner, but I'm glad that she is no longer suffering. I will do a necropsy on her in the morning. Again, thank you!

Sorry for your loss.
If you do perform a necropsy in the morning would you please take pics and share.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am so sorry that you lost her.