8 year old hen

[vanlash]

Hello, so Rosie is still hanging in there. She actually was walking around today following the rest of the flock and even wanted to get back up in the nests tonight. I put her up there for awhile (till I finish work). But her belly is very full again, so I will be doing the draining again. I was wondering if anyone knows if this is a particularly bad sign. That it is filling up so much already. I thought once drained it should stay that way for at least 3-6 months. But it is a balloon again. I was planning on draining it again, but didn't expect that it would fill up again so soon.

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[vanlash]

Hello all, just a short update. Rosie is not doing so well. I withdrew fluid 2 times to days ago (but only about a 1/2 cup the first time; the second was probably more like 1/4 cup). Both times she perked up and showed more interest in her sisters and surroundings. She move up and down the property, albeit, always with that same "penguin stance".

It feels full to me again, but previously....

I got blood once (may a vein?) withdrew and changed direction, yellow fluid, then no more fluid, so I moved the needle, not by withdrawing, but by changing the angle. Sometimes when doing this, I got yellow, and 2x really clear, a couple times with a little blood. I am still concerned about the clear. I called some vets, but they did not want to commit to any comment if they haven't seen her. ( Although, I understand their concerns, I also wish they would help, even over the phone). So, I still don't know what that clear fluid is.

Again today, her belly is full. But she is still eating and drinking an waddling after the other hens, though not a lot. I felt a bit like I was torturing her yesterday. I had her laying on my legs (on her back, and her left leg (not the side I was withdrawing from) kept quivering. I don't know if it was quivering because of nerves, pain or what. But it made me worry.

I'm not sure I should do it again, if it is causing her that much pain. If I leave her be, she will probably pass, but I don't want her to suffer. So decision to end her suffering or not. The decision would be easy if she had lost a interest in life, but that she perks up, after the fluid withdrawal. Ugh... This part of the my post, was not about the process (for ascites), but the emotional process.

If anyone in the future finds out what this clear fluid is, will you post a reply?

 

[micstrachan]

Hi there,
I would be concerned about all the pokes; you could be introducing a pathogen. Are you using aseptic technique? (meaning sterile needle, not touching it to any non-sterile surface, and disinfection her skin where you poke?)

I have a hen with ascites right now (and an unidentified solid mass around her oviduct) who I treated with Lily of the Desert detox formula this week and her swelling went down. She was also on anti-inflamnatories and antibiotics, but it does seem the detox was a factor in her feeling better. Would you be willing to try something like that? Unfortunately, draining alone is highly unlikely to resolve anything g. It will provide temporary relief, but as you are seeing, the fluid returns.

 

[vanlash]

Wow, this good information, I will buy some Lily of the Desert! Yes, I am using sterile needles and disinfecting. I will look at what anti-inflamnatories and antibiotics I can give her. I didn't know you could give a chicken anti-inflamatories. Thank you so much! I feel like it gives me something else to do for her!

 

[micstrachan]

An avian vet prescribed ibuprofen. It was 20mg/mL and she said to dose 0.8mL twice daily. My hen weighed 7 pounds at the time (heavy for her due to the extra fluid.) Do you know how much your hen weighs?

The dose was 16mg for a 7 lb hen, so about 2.28mg per pound.

 

[vanlash]

Thank you! I will weigh her and find out.

 

[vanlash]

Hello All,

Sadly, Rosie passed away today. I had just received the lily of the desert detox.

 

[Sequel]

Hello All,

Sadly, Rosie passed away today. I had just received the lily of the desert detox.

I'm so sorry for your loss! Thanks for sharing your experience with us to help us learn. You worked so hard for Rosie!

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss of your Rosie.