Any idea what could be wrong with my hen?

[feathryfrnds]

My first thought was waterbelly but could she be egg bound or possibly something else? No idea how to help her. I have her inside currently and have soaked her in warm water. She is our only chicken with pasty butt that I have since gotten cleaned up. She has feathers missing on her belly, bloating, panting, her comb occasionally turns purple, and she waddles when she walks. She is eating and drinking fine. Picture of her beside another of the same breed and age.

 

[AGeese]

Picture of her droppings? Also how does her crop feel? Has she layed an egg? Panting could be a sign of stress. Does either her vent or mouth smell bad?

 

[feathryfrnds]

Picture of her droppings? Also how does her crop feel? Has she layed an egg? Panting could be a sign of stress. Does either her vent or mouth smell bad?

Her crop doesn't look or feel abnormal to me. She has not laid an egg today and I'm not sure if she had yesterday. Her vent and mouth smell normal. Stomach is big and squishy so I'm still thinking water belly, just need a second opinion really.

 

[feathryfrnds]

Update: still unsure of what this was, but she unfortunately has passed.

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry, just saw your thread. When a hen develops waterbelly (ascites), it indicates a serious internal issue. It's often a reproductive problem like cancer or infections. The fluid in the belly is from the liver leaking into the abdomen. Less commonly it can be from heart failure. So the waterbelly is a symptom of something else going on. There really are not any good treatments. Sometimes the fluid can be drained and the bird made more comfortable for a time, but it's temporary and the underlying condition is still there. And they hide the symptoms very well, so it's often been going on for a while before it's noticed. Some birds can go on for quite a while depending on the underlying cause, some pass very quickly. The only way to know exactly what the cause was, is a necropsy.

 

[feathryfrnds]

I'm very sorry, just saw your thread. When a hen develops waterbelly (ascites), it indicates a serious internal issue. It's often a reproductive problem like cancer or infections. The fluid in the belly is from the liver leaking into the abdomen. Less commonly it can be from heart failure. So the waterbelly is a symptom of something else going on. There really are not any good treatments. Sometimes the fluid can be drained and the bird made more comfortable for a time, but it's temporary and the underlying condition is still there. And they hide the symptoms very well, so it's often been going on for a while before it's noticed. Some birds can go on for quite a while depending on the underlying cause, some pass very quickly. The only way to know exactly what the cause was, is a necropsy.

Thank you, this is much appreciated