Another bloody vent

[Aschuchert]

After a prolapsed vent last week in a pullet i have a new issue.
4.5yr old Americauna, stopped laying 6+ weeks ago, didn't think anything of that as she's was great producer and earned the right to become a pet. She was a Feed store chick, vaccinated, no real health issues til this week.
3 nights ago we isolated her after noticing some blood around vent. I have soaked her and cleaned area, photos attached.
It appears like a growth near the edge of her vent. We were worried about coccidosis, start Corid treatment on whole flock 2 days ago.
She's listless, ate well yesterday but not much today.
Still passing droppings but does seem to be straining, but that may have been from cool vetrycin spray and gloved inspection, I didn't feel anything inside her cloaca other than the photos growth with bloody attachment shown.
Worry she's dehydrated, started forcing some medicated and electrolyte water by syringe to supplement.
Also concerned it may be cancer but really don't know, this is our first older flock.
Looking for suggestions, thoughts, other possible diseases. We go 4.5 yrs yrs with only minor bumblefoot and now 2 vent issues in a week.
The other was a prolapsed vent and torn product so not a contagion that I can track.
All the best

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Aschuchert,

Sometimes chickens are suffering from a common condition, and it's easy to know how to treat it. But, when there is bleeding from the vent, there are only so many conditions that cause bleeding.

A prolapse is one of those conditions that is common. And then, pecking the prolapse from other members of the flock, causes the bleeding, even death of the hen.

I have taken the time to research a couple of conditions that may fit your hen's symptoms. However, treatment does not exist for either of the conditions.

I have heard that so many times before. I have learned anything can be treated, sometimes successfully, and sometimes not. I always keep the quality of the hen's life in consideration. Then, I get to work. Good supportive care is the best treatment to start with. Then, antibiotics even for viral conditions, as, they can protect from secondary infection while the chicken's own immune system fights the virus. In the case of a bacterial cause, a broad spectrum is the best treatment.

According to chicken health literature, it can be the following:

Campylobacteriosis (bacterial)- listlessness, shriveled comb, weight loss, not preening or caring for feathers, sometimes mucousy, bloody diarrhea, but, a drop in egg production may be only sign.

Treatment: none effective

- or -

Gumboro, Infectious Bursal Disease (viral) - Birds can pick at own vents, straining to poop, sometimes blood tinged diarrhea, sticky diarrhea, slight trembling, stop eating and drinking, weak, fever then drop in temp, death.

Treatment: none - keep warm, may recover.

Looking at the pictures, that could be a cancerous growth, or the hen could have pecked her own vent, causing injury. The fact that she is not eating, tells me some type of infection is present in the body. If she were my hen, I would continue to keep her vent clean, perhaps some Vetericyn spray would also help. If you have a good broad spectrum antibiotic, like Enrofloxacin, I would put her on a 7-10 course. You may also have to feed her manually or even tube feed her, if you would like to try and help her survive. Keep her hydrated. Watermelon, diced up, and other juicey fruits are good for this. Care must be taken not to aspirate the hen, if manually giving water. I use a thickening product for water hydration, and add a bit of agave nectar for energy.

You should keep her isolated in a hospital crate, due to the possibility of infectious disease and to protect her from the flock while she is weakened.

These are my thoughts on your hen's bloody vent symptom. I hope they are helpful.
Other members will have advice, please consider them too.

I send my prayers for you and for the healing of your hen.

God Bless

 

[Aschuchert]

Thanks, I think that you have summed up what we are currently doing to help her heal.

We added an Epsom salt bath this morning to ease her suffering and help clean vent well, it was very well received. Antibiotics aren't available without a vet script, so will add oregano oil and tube feed her tonight and boost her protein.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Epsom Salt soaks are excellent! Boosting the protein is also good. I use hemp protein powder when my chickens are sick and have stopped eating. It nourishes and boosts the immune system. Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic. I'm all for natural healing, let me know how everything goes.

Members here on BYC, can tell you where and how to order antibiotics, if you decide to use them. Just start a thread with that question.

God Bless

 

[Aschuchert]

A much delayed update.

When is definitely feeling better, we alternate plain water and Epsom salt warm baths each morning. Redness and bleeding stopped. The little nodule still present, i try to clean in while soaking but she its always cooperative.
She's eating and dropping are small but normal. She gets cooked egg treats, 1/2 egg + oregano oil daily.

We're in a wait and see more, probably going to stop baths for a few days to see if things get worse, better, etc.

All the best.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

I am glad to hear your hen is doing better.

I've been having a similar problem with an older hen for a almost a week now. She doesn't have any bleeding, but goopy stools which irritate and inflame her cloaca. She hasn't been eating well. So, she too is getting her vent washed each day. I am currently having a fecal culture run, to test for any bacteria that may be causing the upset to her digestive system. Her crop has started to empty very slowly, which is causing more upset.

These symptoms cause another condition, vent gleet or cloacitis. There is a strong odor that is foul or sometimes pungent like urine on the feathers. Advanced stage presents with straining to deficate, and even bleeding. This may be what is ailing your hen, as it happens frequently to older hens, hens that are having problems laying, or experience stress from weather, fright, injury, eating something bad, etc.

If your girl is improving, advanced cloacitis may be the problem. More serious problems like gumboro would have taken her life by now. Perhaps some Neosporin ointment (without pain reliever) on the nodule, will help.

Also, instead of a soak everyday, I set up a large container of warm water on the patio, a towel, and a pump bottle with some dog shampoo. Then, I just pour clean water on the vent area with a cup, soap up the vent, a rinse with more water, then towel dry her bum. I finish with a quick blow dry and fluff, as it is unseasonably chilly here. If I see any redness, I'll put a little Desitin Baby Diaper Rash ointment on the skin. I can see the relief on her face.

The fix for vent gleet/cloacitis is keeping the vent clean, and addressing the infection causing the digestive upset.

But, if your girls poops are firm, there shouldn't be a problem with irritated skin anymore. The oregano oil may be helping with any infection.

Great job!

Update on her recovery is very much appreciated.

God Bless and peace to you.

 

[Aschuchert]

Sounds like a similar issue indeed.

Poops are relatively firm but I do remember that smell you describe about 2weeks ago. I'll do some additional silver gel alternating with Vetrycin gel spray applied to the vent and just inside around the sore.

I too noticed her crop empties more slowly and attributed that to why she may eat less along with the bonus of daily egg in her breakfast.

Going to continue that daily and limit soaks to weekends if she continues to improve.

All the best and hope your flock stays healthy!