Advice for Water Belly Drain?

[tt1912]

It took me a while to figure this out actually, but my hen unfortunately has water belly. I would like to drain her just to give her comfort until she passes and so she can play with her sisters normally again. I have some questions regarding drainage and I'd love to get some advice!

1. First off... Do I have the OK to drain her? (pictures of her below). She's been super lethargic and spends most of her days napping or just standing still while keeping her eyes closed and her neck tucked in. Her comb is pale and she waddles a lot. Her legs are bowed and she has a visible bald spot/bump on her belly which is what confirmed my suspicion of water belly. Fortunately she still has an appetite and tries her best to be active with the other hens (but usually just stands there). I've read in some places that sometimes drainage isn't necessary and I'd like some clarification on that.

2. My hen is very jumpy and when I pick her up her breathing becomes very labored. In some videos demonstrated of water belly draining, hens in those videos seem to display similar breathing (the most prominent symptom I observed in my hen was resporitory issues, and times where I would try to give her a bath she would heave like crazy and would almost pass out). How should I handle this? How can I prevent any sort of shock or cardiac arrest, especially since I'll be poking her with a needle?

3. How can i be ensure that I'm 100% pricking her in the right area? Is there any way I can feel which part is the right area? When it comes to the actual part of putting the needle in, the videos I've watched seem to spend 3 seconds on it which ticks me off.. helpful much..? From the information I've gathered though, I have a good idea of where to prick, but some specific directions rather than "just poke the right side" would be more than helpful. I just want to be 100% safe and confident, and to not have to prick her more than once.

Thats about it! This is my first time experiencing this in a hen and I unfortunately do not have any vets around me who specialize in poultry (ugh!). I'd appreciate some honest advice. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t usually try to drain a hen with suspected water belly unless they have labored breathing when not being bothered. An 18 gauge needle and a large 35 ml syringe can be used, or just use the needle by itself, after disinfecting the skin. It is just inserted barely into the abdomen when yellow fluid comes out. That is the confirmation of water belly/ascites. The hen may continue to drain fluid for awhile after the needle is removed. Give her some electrolytes after draining. Casportpony has posted some pictures of her hen being drained in post 66 of this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6136086/width/500/height/1000

 

[tt1912]

I don’t usually try to drain a hen with suspected water belly unless they have labored breathing when not being bothered. An 18 gauge needle and a large 35 ml syringe can be used, or just use the needle by itself, after disinfecting the skin. It is just inserted barely into the abdomen when yellow fluid comes out. That is the confirmation of water belly/ascites. The hen may continue to drain fluid for awhile after the needle is removed. Give her some electrolytes after draining. Casportpony has posted some pictures of her hen being drained in post 66 of this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6136086/width/500/height/1000

There are days where her breathing is labored, and other days where she is fine. But I can always see her body moving when she breathes. Is it still necessary? Thank you for information on the needles and syringe!