16-mo old BO hen internal layer? update: Paris necropsy pics (graphic)

[BCbirder]

I had a hen that was like that. I was sure that she wouldn't make it. She was molting but just laid around, she had difficulty eating. I let her lbe in the hen house but just on the other side of the wire so she could hear the other hens but could relax and sleep without any hen stressing her.

She didn't eat or drink but she was a big healthy hen. She is not 100% yet but she is eating normally again and growing her feathers back in. It was a bout a 10 days of lethargic behavior. I think they get cues from the other hens so I think she did better being around the others. She would seem to perk up when the other hens would get all excited when I put food in. She would peck a bit when that happened.
I don't know what it is and if she is over but her molt was pretty extreme. SHe is a RIR.
I did have one with a growth, she had a watery belly. She crawled under the hen house and I couldn't get her out and left her there thinking she would be OK for the night but something got her and left the carcass and I could see a huge mass.
'
too bad we can't ask them.

It's not Mareks. They get that when they are young and they look drunk. Once they are older I don't think they can get it.

 

[English Chick]

Orpie..... how is Paris today? .....

 

[Highlander]

Hi Orp

Could you try to drain her abdomen if it is still swollen. At least then you could rule out ascites if nothing comes out. I think Ruth had a thread on the procedure, I'll see if I can find it for you. I don't know what else to suggest, sorry.

Found it. There is also a link within this thread to another site where there was an internal layer that had surgery and lived to tell the tale. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=66650&p=1

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Hi EC and V, the link was quite helpful.

Paris is still just sitting in the cage in the bathroom. Her comb is purple, so I am guessing her heart is having a bad time of it with so much fluid in her system. She is breathing fine, though. I am going to try to give her some food and water this morning, yogurt and scrambled egg with molasses. I won't be able to do the warm water bath and vent check til tonight. I will try to get out of work early enough to buy a syringe with a needle at the feed store. (I hope that's where you get them.) If they sell Penicillin, I will also get some of that. I suspect ascites. She is probably an internal layer. I will do what I can. Unfortunately, I can't stay home from work to deal with this.

I will have to take care of it tonight. She seems comfortable where she is. I will cover the cage to keep it dark today. Thanks for all the advice and concern!

 

[ranchhand]

Morning Orpie, just checking on Paris. Sounds like you're on the right track. All your nursing skills are coming in handy!

 

[LilBizzy]

Hoping it is not anythng serious...

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Well, I am home from work. I bought Pen G and syringe/needle, and an electrolyte mix for livestock on the way home. Paris made it through the day, but looks no different. She didn't eat or drink, but I had her in the dark.

First order of business is to give her a warm soak and clean her vent out, then an injection of Pen G. I will have to search for the dosage. I can use the dosing on the bottle, but I will have to weigh her. Plus I have to decide on an injection site. Her thigh is probably meaty enough, but affected by the fluid. Her breast tissue is another option. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The thought occurred to me to drain off her ascites fluid first, so the weight is more accurate, but I was planning to use the same needle, and don't want to contaminate the bottle, or inject any pathogen intramuscularly.

Also, since there might be a lot of fluid to aspirate, do you leave the needle in while disconnecting the syringe to empty it? or, do you use the syringe at all, and just let the needle drip? or, do you re-inject the needle every time you empty the syringe? My inclination is to disconnect the syringe from the needle, and leave it in while I empty the syringe. Any suggestions?

I should also get some food and fluids into her. Will she be easier to handle if I feed her first?

This is going to be interesting with no helper.

Any last minute thoughts?

 

[hinkjc]

If she's a full size Orp, 1cc into the breast meat. Draw back before you push the PenG in to make sure you don't get blood and you're set. Inject slowly. It is quite thick.

I was reading through your thread and wouldn't recommend anymore molasses. That is typically used to flush the system and she really doesn't need this right now. She needs everything her system has got to fight whatever is going on. Good luck with your girl.

ETA - if she has become an enternal layer, her days are numbered unless you get her a hysterectomy. Just prepare yourself. PenG is a good antibiotic, but it can't change her reproductive system and how it works/doesn't work.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Thanks for responding!

She is a full-sized BO. I got the electrolye powder at the feed store today, so will stop the molasses and poly-vi-sol and just use that. I used to be an RN before I became a teacher, so have given plenty of injections. Just a much smaller body now. Injections-- dart fast, aspirate for blood, inject slowly. It's the only way.

 

[Fallchick]

You can also give some sugar water for calories and to boost energy. Sometimes it helps stimulate their appetite. I'm doing that for 3 of my hens now and it seems too help.