3 day old chick swollen vent leaking

[PerkinsChickee]

I have a 4 day old chick who has been acting normal up until last night. All night we head loud squawking like she was in pain and yesterday I had noticed she has a swollen vent, had some leaking bowels but I decided to leave my chicks alone for the first few days.

This morning I made the decision to take her out and rinse her bottom with warm water to loosen up the residue, which seems to be a mixture of clear fluid and a little bit of poop. We have 17 chicks so I hadn't noticed if this particular chick had been eating until today- and she is isn't doing anything but exclusively standing in the corner, refusing to eat or drink (at least today) and on and off squawking (as if still in pain). Any suggestions as to what I should do??

 

[realsis]

Post in emergency forum. I believe this is called a bowel prolapse. I can look in some health books and get back to you. in the meantime post on emergency forum and see if someone can help

 

[realsis]

I read to wear sterile gloves and get a lubricant such as KY jelly. Make sure the rectum is gently washed and clean then gently apply the lubricant and CAREFULLY AND VERY GENTLY push the prolapse back inside. you might need to hold it in for a moment after its been put back once it's back inside keep the chick separated and watch her. you might try to offer scrambled eggs so she will eat. you can read about chick rectal prolapse online and why they happen. I really hope this helps.

 

[PerkinsChickee]

I have looked online regarding rectal prolapse but there doesn't seem to be anything similar to what we have going on here. Her vent doesn't seem to be prolapse but more swollen and just leaking. I have recently noticed what seemed like "gas" bubbling coming out of her vent- as if it were supposed to be poop. I am wondering where she isn't eating if she doesn't have everything developed and something just isn't right. I will continue to look for rectal prolapse scenarios that match out situation...but again she is only days old....I don't see the inside of her....just LOTS of leaking.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Sounds more like a bowel obstruction. I'm guessing the noise you heard throughout the night was her trying to go to the bathroom. And the leaking is what's making it past the obstruction. It would also explain the lack of desire to feed and drink. Are you brooding on pine shavings, by any chance?

Take a pair of tweezers and gently probe inside the vent. If you pull anything out, theres a blockage. If you find small bits of shavings in there, offer your chicks some grit. If it is an obstruction, you'll need to help the chick clear it out until it can go on its own. I've had this happen once (though it seems like its been happening a lot lately), I pulled pine shavings out of my poor chicks behind every time I'd hear her chirp for a couple of days. Mine wasn't lethargic though, so you might want to check more often.

Good luck. I'll try to keep an eye out for an update.

 

[aatx]

I had a similar thing happen a few years back. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I used a tiny syringe with warm water to perform "chick enemas". I had to do this repeatedly, but the frequency did lessen. After a few weeks she was fine on her own. She seemed a bit stunted, but eventually caught up with the others. She is still thriving today and I feel certain that without intervention she would have died.

 

[MrsBrooke]

It's possible she's ingesting some of the shavings. What kind are you using? Is there anything else in the brooder she might have gotten into?

Are you feeding a medicated chick starter? If not, I would consider treating your chicks with Corid to rule out Coccidiosis.

How is the heat lamp in the brooder? If it's too warm, I know chicks are susceptible to pasty butt, which can be life-threatening.

Did you hatch this chick or get her from the feed store or breeder?

MrsB