Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[Fizzybelle]

Lol, she might not take any nonsense, but she sure dishes out bowlfuls of her own.

 

[Anniebee]

Ascites is the name given to free fluid in the abdomen . This can be the result of a number of diseases, infection or tumours. As part of my insidious disease there was an 18 month period of time that I had upwards of 3 litres drained from my peritoneal cavity on a monthly basis.
Personally I wouldn't even attempt to aspirate as the risk of infection is too high.

I have read on-line the variety of diseases that can cause, or be associated with resulting ascites.

I would think that an avian vet would aspirate under correct control - i.e. isopropyl swabs at site of puncture ... new sterile needle and syringe at sites for every aspiration. At least a proper caring and fastidious veterinarian would.

I wouldn't advocate anyone doing it at home ... only posted the link to show how it is done - without any real problem to the hen, in case the idea freaked anyone out. . Not nice to contemplate having a long large needle inserted into a hens abdomen.

And I repeated Vet - - Vet - - VET ... several times, so's my post would not be misunderstood.

When I have to give myself an IM injection - which I am permitted to do by my doctors for any abscess type infection under damaged teeth ( dentists - 7 of them so far - won't touch me because of another medical condition unless I have extractions in a hospital !!!

) ... I use a 23 gauge needle which is an absolute whopper ... draw up the Lincocin from the vial, change the needle to a new one ( the rubber on the vial top can blunt a needle ) ... use an isopropyl swab, rotate up and empty the syringe of any bubbles, fill the neck to overflowing, and slowly introduce the injection to the deltoid muscle in my left arm - the next one in the right arm ( which is a tad difficult as I am naturally right handed !!

). Fortunately, I only have a problem about once or twice a year - and often have to get a new prescription to have on hand, because the expiry date is reached before the next gum / root trauma occurs.

***********

Had a friend who had to have peritoneal aspirations, due to a rather rare cancer some years back. Unfortunately for her, infection did set in after one aspiration - even though they were done under strict medical procedure and proper sterile conditions. So I certainly empathise - for your 18 months of aspirations - which would have been absolutely awful to undergo - and on a monthly basis as well.

In the case of a hen, all kinds of bacteria could intrude ... and if I had to have one of my girls aspirated .... by a Vet ... I would keep her in clean containers / on clean bedding inside the house for at least a week. I would also probably apply Bactroban around and on, the sites of each aspiration. I believe chickens can have Bactroban used on wounds - dogs can, and I wouldn't be without it, for our own use. It is brilliant stuff.

.............

 

[Teila]

Good morning folks

SilkieChickStar wow, that is a big egg for a little bantam!

MyHaven as I was working on site yesterday, I am late in my response but I do hope that Miss Chicken From The Train is on the improve. As already suggested, the symptoms sound and look like internal laying or other egg plumbing issues. Dusty also displays similar symptoms when attempting to pass a soft shell. Because they are soft, the canal can not grip them and push them through as well as the hard shell. On the rare occasions she does lay a soft shell, it is usually overnight when she has relaxed on the roost but she can be very uncomfortable leading up to roost time.

I had a bantam Leghorn with similar symptoms and I am sorry to say that we lost her. I read at that time that Leghorn’s are prone to plumbing issues, particularly internal laying, due to the fact that they are such prolific layers.

MyHaven and Fizzybelle Love the pics of your gals!

Fizzybelle good news about Agnes’ eye!

Fancy how lovely to read about Buddy’s recovery.

Tee hee Anniebee Bambrook Bantams are living proof that chickens can have mental problems lol

So, broody jail has gone back in the shed [for now] and GodCilla has reverted back to the lovable Cilla. Crystal has also stopped being quite so noisy and demanding. As appps and Fancy were discussing, could be pent up hormones.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I have read on-line the variety of diseases that can cause, or be associated with resulting  ascites.   

I would think that an avian vet would aspirate under correct control - i.e. isopropyl swabs at site of puncture ... new sterile needle and syringe at sites for every aspiration.   At least a proper caring and fastidious veterinarian would.     

I wouldn't advocate anyone doing it at home ... only posted the link to show how it is done - without any real problem to the hen, in case the idea freaked anyone out.  . Not nice to contemplate having a long large needle inserted into a hens abdomen. 

And I repeated Vet - -  Vet - - VET ... several times, so's my post would not be misunderstood. 

When I have to give myself an IM injection - which I am permitted to do by my doctors for any  abscess type infection under damaged teeth ( dentists - 7 of them so far -  won't touch me because of another medical condition unless I have extractions in a hospital !!!    ) ... I use a 23 gauge needle which is an absolute whopper ... draw up the Lincocin from the vial, change the needle to a new one ( the rubber on the vial top can blunt a needle ) ... use an isopropyl swab, rotate up and empty the syringe of any bubbles, fill the neck to overflowing, and slowly introduce the injection to the deltoid muscle in my left arm - the next one in the right arm ( which is a tad difficult as I am naturally right handed !!  ).  Fortunately, I only have a problem about once or twice a year - and often have to get a new prescription to have on hand, because the expiry date is reached before the next gum / root trauma occurs. 

***********

Had a friend who had to have peritoneal aspirations,  due to a rather rare cancer some years back.   Unfortunately for her, infection did set in after one aspiration  - even though they were done under strict medical procedure and proper sterile conditions.  So I certainly empathise - for your 18 months of aspirations - which would have been absolutely awful to undergo - and on a monthly basis as well.  

In the case of a hen, all kinds of bacteria could intrude ... and if I had to have one of my girls aspirated .... by a Vet ...  I would keep her in clean containers / on clean bedding inside the house for at least a week.   I would also probably apply Bactroban around and on, the sites of each  aspiration.   I believe chickens can have Bactroban used on wounds - dogs can, and I wouldn't be without it, for our own use.   It is brilliant stuff.

.............  

Annie my point was that as ' hands on ' as I am , I wouldn't attempt to aspirate. Dr Google is only of help if you understand the entire picture. As with my case and most cancer patients the ascites is only removed in an attempt to make the patient comfortable. Without treatment of the underlying cause , the ascites will usually return, and so begins a viscous cycle.
A veterinarian is always the best option , but not always possible or practical . In the country it's a case of learn to deal with things yourself and if you can't then be brave enough to do what is the kindest thing for the animal in trouble.
This week alone I have a goat down with a foot abscess , which I have trimmed , bathed , scrubbed with a tooth brush, sprayed liberally with Terramycin and then vet wrapped. With no one around to help me , it was made all the more difficult to hold on to a horn and keep him down while I tended him.
To add to my woes I found that one of my silkie girls has a large growth over her nostril, which I promptly removed to find that she now has a rather large open wound. So far so good , she is in the laundry recovering.
Raising animals comes with its own set of challenges , but the joy of learning is all part of life.

 

[MyHaven]

Ascites is the name given to free fluid in the abdomen . This can be the result of a number of diseases, infection or tumours. As part of my insidious disease there was an 18 month period of time that I had upwards of 3 litres drained from my peritoneal cavity on a monthly basis.
Personally I wouldn't even attempt to aspirate as the risk of infection is too high.

Oh yes, been there and done that too. And while I remember that horrible feeling and the nasal gastric tube. (6lt one time. Oh yuk.) but I can imagine that could be my chooks problem.

I'm sitting here beside her now while she soaks in a tub of Epsom salts. Looks like she enjoys it too or is at least giving her some relief.

She seems to be labouring with breath - mouth breathing and weasing on the way in.

She's been squatting in the tub for about 10 minutes. Just started giving a little cluck, has stood and looks at me with the - "get the towel, it's time to get out and give me my massage" look.

No other change in her.

 

[Anniebee]

Oh yes, been there and done that too. And while I remember that horrible feeling and the nasal gastric tube. (6lt one time. Oh yuk.) but I can imagine that could be my chooks problem.

I'm sitting here beside her now while she soaks in a tub of Epsom salts. Looks like she enjoys it too or is at least giving her some relief.

She seems to be labouring with breath - mouth breathing and weasing on the way in.

She's been squatting in the tub for about 10 minutes. Just started giving a little cluck, has stood and looks at me with the - "get the towel, it's time to get out and give me my massage" look.

No other change in her.

We do everything we can for our much loved pets - be they four legged or two legged. Are you far from an avian vet ? Not sure I like the sound of that laboured breathing.

I so hope you can bring her through this awful situation. But if medical intervention is required ... via whatever means ( anti-biotic ? - I do not know ) ... then I hope you can have some help for her. Meantime, all the best of good luck for you - and especially for her.

 

[MyHaven]

@Fancychooklady
I'm at Dapto High now in class looking for chickens to buy!!

Can I say lmao on here. Find out I guess.

Lovely photo of Derpy.

 

[MyHaven]

 We do everything we can for our much loved pets - be they four legged or two legged.   Are you far from an avian vet ?  Not sure I like the sound of that laboured breathing.

 I so hope you can bring her through this awful situation.   But if medical intervention is required ... via whatever means ( anti-biotic ? - I do not know ) ... then I hope you can have some help for her.   Meantime, all the best of good luck for you - and especially for her.   

 

The best avian vet around here isn't opened weekends.

The good one I went to last time was the other side of the city.

There is one near here that is ok, but I haven't been able to get in to them on the past - which really makes them useless.

So I'll se how I go. Will let you know.

 

[Anniebee]

Annie my point was that as ' hands on ' as I am , I wouldn't attempt to aspirate. Dr Google is only of help if you understand the entire picture. As with my case and most cancer patients the ascites is only removed in an attempt to make the patient comfortable. Without treatment of the underlying cause , the ascites will usually return, and so begins a viscous cycle.
A veterinarian is always the best option , but not always possible or practical . In the country it's a case of learn to deal with things yourself and if you can't then be brave enough to do what is the kindest thing for the animal in trouble.
This week alone I have a goat down with a foot abscess , which I have trimmed , bathed , scrubbed with a tooth brush, sprayed liberally with Terramycin and then vet wrapped. With no one around to help me , it was made all the more difficult to hold on to a horn and keep him down while I tended him.
To add to my woes I found that one of my silkie girls has a large growth over her nostril, which I promptly removed to find that she now has a rather large open wound. So far so good , she is in the laundry recovering.
Raising animals comes with its own set of challenges , but the joy of learning is all part of life.

It would appear that we are in total agreement, although to other readers it may not seem that way.

Applause to you, for not attempting to aspirate anything.

I too, would NOT.

"Dr. Google", is only a small degree of help - and I am not foolhardy enough to take a huge amount of notice, as there are soooo many different and conflicting opinions on any subject whatsoever ... one cannot put faith in much at all. Especially on other forums … that is a futile exercise. However, legitimate medical and veterinary websites, do in fact give proper answers - yet sometimes it depends on which country that advice is coming from. And then it has to be decided as to whether a Vet is consulted or not.

Having had 63 years or so, of hands on experience with horses ( showing ), dairy and beef cattle, dogs ( breeding, owning, showing ) cats ( breeding, owning, showing ) and birds ( breeding, owning ) budgerigars - - and having cockatiels, and now hens … I can call on experience, however, I would not attempt to incise any lump or protruberance from a hen or animal, unless I could be sure it was just a lump of woopsies or strange gunk, stuck in an unusual area. Kudos to you for removing that lump from your silkie, successfully – I hope she continues to improve. I would not have done so … but then I am nearer a vet, than perhaps you are. And I could not have dealt with the goat by myself – although even at my age, if I had to, I would probably find a way. We have to find a way, don’t we, at times. I would like just 20 cents for every time I have had to medicate, swab, deliver drops, apply new bandages, use variety meds. and even ‘drain’ a dogs swollen scrotum sac which was a 'sterile' drain ( after neutering ). To keep it that way, I swabbed him 3 times a day with mildy salted warm boiled water – lying on my back to do so, which helped him heal more quickly than he would have normally, and also to relieve any discomfort he was having. That was not a lot of fun.

Living in the country certainly does have its’ own challenges, and as far as I am concerned, 1st, 2nd and 3rd and ever onward – the animal / bird comes first … always. As it obviously does with you. I am married to a city slicker, who is too laid back for my liking, in being ‘on to’ anything that might be of distress in a bird or animal. e.g. Sonya ( Guide Dog being raised ) bit off a half 5 cent piece sized chunk of ultra hard plastic from her feeding bowl, 3 days back. It took a great deal of hefty persuasion, to get hubby to return any faeces she did on a walk, in a plastic bag for my intense inspection. I trawled through that woopsies thoroughly … and finally – 2 days later, it passed. But it could have been stuck at the pyloric sphincter between stomach and small intestine which could have torn her innards, and / or required surgery … hubby said “phhfft – she will be ok “ … I decided to watch and wait carefully – for signs of distress, blood, lack of bowel action or the opposite - diarrhoea – and to go through her bowel motions thoroughly.

And so it always is – with animals and birds … for me anyway.

I do take on board here, your ( and MyHavens' ) comments about aspiration [ by various means ], to make a person ( or animal ) more comfortable. An awful experience for you both, but thankfully - obviously successful.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Oh yes, been there and done that too. And while I remember that horrible feeling and the nasal gastric tube. (6lt one time. Oh yuk.) but I can imagine that could be my chooks problem.

I'm sitting here beside her now while she soaks in a tub of Epsom salts. Looks like she enjoys it too or is at least giving her some relief.

She seems to be labouring with breath - mouth breathing and weasing on the way in.

She's been squatting in the tub for about 10 minutes. Just started giving a little cluck, has stood and looks at me with the - "get the towel, it's time to get out and give me my massage" look.

No other change in her.

It's surprising how much they enjoy a good soak. The longer the better and the salts do help.
When was the last time she was wormed and what product did you use ?