Ascites + Heavy Breathing: 5 y/o hen

[Rhode]

My group of gals are all 5 years old. One of my Barred Rocks came down with flystrike 3 weeks ago. Successfully caught that early & treated it, but noted she had ascites. No meat to her breastbone area whatsoever.

Since then, noticeably lethargic. Today, breathing very heavy, often closing one if not both eyes. Sometimes her head will even just start to fall forward as if it’s just too heavy to keep up.

Still hanging with her friends, preening, eating, healthy poops.

What’s the general timeline for death d/t ascites? If she’s having respiratory problems, I don’t want to prolong her suffering. I’m not a huge fan of draining her for palliative purposes, considering the fluid will come back + risk of cardiac arrest/shock/infxn. Want her to live comfortably without prolonging the inevitable.

 

[nuthatched]

Is her belly swollen like acsites? I'd say not very long for her to be uncomfortable.

 

[Rhode]

Is her belly swollen like acsites? I'd say not very long for her to be uncomfortable.

Yes, classic water balloon. I know prey animals can hide their weakness so well, hoping I can read her cues well enough as the days continue.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, classic water balloon. I know prey animals can hide their weakness so well, hoping I can read her cues well enough as the days continue.

Poor honey. Depending on what's causing it, it could build up slowly or quickly. I guess if she just seem to spend more time sleeping than other things is a good cue. I'm sorry your going through this

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My group of gals are all 5 years old. One of my Barred Rocks came down with flystrike 3 weeks ago. Successfully caught that early & treated it, but noted she had ascites. No meat to her breastbone area whatsoever.

Since then, noticeably lethargic. Today, breathing very heavy, often closing one if not both eyes. Sometimes her head will even just start to fall forward as if it’s just too heavy to keep up.

Still hanging with her friends, preening, eating, healthy poops.

What’s the general timeline for death d/t ascites? If she’s having respiratory problems, I don’t want to prolong her suffering. I’m not a huge fan of draining her for palliative purposes, considering the fluid will come back + risk of cardiac arrest/shock/infxn. Want her to live comfortably without prolonging the inevitable.

Hard to know the timeline, but if she's having respiratory distress and you don't want to drain her to offer supportive care, then putting her out of her misery now would be the practical thing to do.