Ascites

[krissyweso]

@krissyweso ascites can be a result of heart failure in broilers, but in layers, it also may be from a reproductive disorder, liver disease, and cancer. Most of the time we won’t know until after death when you or the state vet can perform a necropsy and examine organs. It is common for the fluid to continue leaking even from a small needle hole. It usually stops within hours. Each case is different, depending on the cause, and how advanced the disease is. My 10 year old bantam died about 3 weeks after the first draining. I have found ascites in many chickens when I did a home necropsy.

It would make sense that it's a result of a reproductive disorder. Her sister was diagnosed with Pyometra this summer (I tell her story here https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/we-thought-she-was-egg-bound-its-pyometra.1541796/ . I'm pretty sure I talked to you about it. ).

Thanks for the info. Was your girl eating and acting normally? Nermal is zippy and sassy and eating and drinking like normal which, from what I've been reading, not typical.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mine was not acting normal which is how I noticed her swollen bluish belly. After I drained her, she began eating and became active until she needed draining again.

 

[krissyweso]

Well, we drained her again tonight. I tried to take her to the vet today, but the doctor didn't end up coming in this evening, so I'm going to take her tomorrow. I am coming to terms with the fact that she probably doesn't have much time, but I want to take her to the vet so I can make sure she's comfortable for whatever time she has.

I'll post any information the vet gives me tomorrow on the thread.

Hope you've been having a nice holiday (and got some fun chicken gifts if you're celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah).

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know what the vet thinks when you see them.