Bloated chest in pullet- Sour crop??

[Swbertrand1]

Definitely looks like an Impacted Crop to me...

This thread is worth looking at regarding Impacted Crop and Sour Crop:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[azygous]

Yes, @Swbertrand1 that's my assessment, also. I see the alfalfa hay in the poop, if my old eyes are giving me correct intel. I also see the fluids, nearly clear liquid, coming out with the poop. This indicates a blockage. The problem is going to be blasting this stuff out of the gizzard. Treating the yeast infection that may be developing will also be required after the blockage clears.

I recommend a heavy infusion of coconut oil. Olive or mineral oil may also be used, but these liquid oils are very messy and dangerous if some gets in the airway during administering. So coconut oil is my choice.

What I do is to measure out four half teaspoons on a plate, then stick it into the freezer until solid. Then feed her one lump at a time, sticking each directly into her beak. Don't worry, they will slide down into the crop slick as, well, oil.

Have a stool softener ready just in case the oil doesn't bust things loose. Just pop the gel cap into the beak.

Do not withhold water. The blockage is causing her to lose a lot of fluids and she is likely already dehydrated. This only compounds the problem.

Later, I will tell you the horror stories of my compost pile and how I no longer dispose of spoiled food there. The consequences can be far worse than a crop issue.

 

[KnightsMist]

Yes, @Swbertrand1 that's my assessment, also. I see the alfalfa hay in the poop, if my old eyes are giving me correct intel. I also see the fluids, nearly clear liquid, coming out with the poop. This indicates a blockage. The problem is going to be blasting this stuff out of the gizzard. Treating the yeast infection that may be developing will also be required after the blockage clears.

I recommend a heavy infusion of coconut oil. Olive or mineral oil may also be used, but these liquid oils are very messy and dangerous if some gets in the airway during administering. So coconut oil is my choice.

What I do is to measure out four half teaspoons on a plate, then stick it into the freezer until solid. Then feed her one lump at a time, sticking each directly into her beak. Don't worry, they will slide down into the crop slick as, well, oil.

Have a stool softener ready just in case the oil doesn't bust things loose. Just pop the gel cap into the beak.

Do not withhold water. The blockage is causing her to lose a lot of fluids and she is likely already dehydrated. This only compounds the problem.

Later, I will tell you the horror stories of my compost pile and how I no longer dispose of spoiled food there. The consequences can be far worse than a crop issue.

Thank you. I don't have coconut oil on hand but will run to the store now to get some, and give her water back. Hay is Timothy mix, not alfalfa, if that matters at all. Cross your fingers for us, I'll do whatever I can to get her better- naturally it's my favorite hen who is unwell!

 

[KnightsMist]

Yes, @Swbertrand1 that's my assessment, also. I see the alfalfa hay in the poop, if my old eyes are giving me correct intel. I also see the fluids, nearly clear liquid, coming out with the poop. This indicates a blockage. The problem is going to be blasting this stuff out of the gizzard. Treating the yeast infection that may be developing will also be required after the blockage clears.

I recommend a heavy infusion of coconut oil. Olive or mineral oil may also be used, but these liquid oils are very messy and dangerous if some gets in the airway during administering. So coconut oil is my choice.

What I do is to measure out four half teaspoons on a plate, then stick it into the freezer until solid. Then feed her one lump at a time, sticking each directly into her beak. Don't worry, they will slide down into the crop slick as, well, oil.

Have a stool softener ready just in case the oil doesn't bust things loose. Just pop the gel cap into the beak.

Do not withhold water. The blockage is causing her to lose a lot of fluids and she is likely already dehydrated. This only compounds the problem.

Later, I will tell you the horror stories of my compost pile and how I no longer dispose of spoiled food there. The consequences can be far worse than a crop issue.

I'm back with coconut oil. Should I have gotten the unrefined/thicker kind?? I got the liquid oil. I just gave her 1cc with a syringe directly into her beak (just a tiny bit at a time, not 1cc all at once) and that seemed to work well. I have some in the freezer now, will give her more in an hour or so.

After giving her the oil I massaged her crop again. It's softer than a few hours ago, less dense, though still large. I'm assuming softer is better than harder and that this is progress. Will continue to check on her throughout the day- yay for working from home! We actually do have stool softener on hand, I'll give some later if needed.

How long should it take to notice a difference, if the oil is helping? And I assume I should continue witholding food until crop is empty, right? She does have her water back.

Thanks everyone for the help- very much appreciated as I navigate my fiest chicken crisis!

 

[azygous]

If you will re-read my post, you will be more likely to understand that the purpose of my recommending coconut oil is so that a solid form of the oil can be administered to avoid the danger of liquid oil being aspirated during administration. Buying the liquid coconut oil gets you back to courting the danger of aspiration. You may have used mineral or olive oil to achieve the same end and saved yourself the trip to the store.

The oil may work as quickly as an hour, or it could take 24 hours. It depends on whether the blockage extends beyond the crop down to the gizzard. Did you find a stool softener? This is NOT a laxative, which is too harsh for a chicken.

You may need to administer more oil over the next several hours. Clearing an impacted digestive system is time consuming and intensive. You will need to devote the next several hours to this project, introducing more oil, massage, followed by more oil. You should eventually feel that the crop has emptied. Then you will need to monitor it for the yeast infection. You'll know you have to treat for sour crop if the crop fills with fluids and does not empty.

 

[Swbertrand1]

I'm back with coconut oil. Should I have gotten the unrefined/thicker kind?? I got the liquid oil. I just gave her 1cc with a syringe directly into her beak (just a tiny bit at a time, not 1cc all at once) and that seemed to work well. I have some in the freezer now, will give her more in an hour or so.

After giving her the oil I massaged her crop again. It's softer than a few hours ago, less dense, though still large. I'm assuming softer is better than harder and that this is progress. Will continue to check on her throughout the day- yay for working from home! We actually do have stool softener on hand, I'll give some later if needed.

How long should it take to notice a difference, if the oil is helping? And I assume I should continue witholding food until crop is empty, right? She does have her water back.

Thanks everyone for the help- very much appreciated as I navigate my fiest chicken crisis!

Just in case you're not familiar with giving liquids orally, check out the link below. You don't want to aspirate (put fluids in the lungs) your girl. Pay special attention to the last photo before the comments - shows VERY clearly where to give liquids and where NOT to give liquids.

You're in VERY good hands with azygous, so I'm going to just monitor from a distance to avoid so much clutter in the thred... I hope your girl feels better soon!

https://bitchinchickens.com/2020/02/06/how-to-safely-give-oral-medications/

 

[KnightsMist]

If you will re-read my post, you will be more likely to understand that the purpose of my recommending coconut oil is so that a solid form of the oil can be administered to avoid the danger of liquid oil being aspirated during administration. Buying the liquid coconut oil gets you back to courting the danger of aspiration. You may have used mineral or olive oil to achieve the same end and saved yourself the trip to the store.

The oil may work as quickly as an hour, or it could take 24 hours. It depends on whether the blockage extends beyond the crop down to the gizzard. Did you find a stool softener? This is NOT a laxative, which is too harsh for a chicken.

You may need to administer more oil over the next several hours. Clearing an impacted digestive system is time consuming and intensive. You will need to devote the next several hours to this project, introducing more oil, massage, followed by more oil. You should eventually feel that the crop has emptied. Then you will need to monitor it for the yeast infection. You'll know you have to treat for sour crop if the crop fills with fluids and does not empty.

Sorry, when I hear oil, I think liquid- so that's what I bought. I even looked at the different options, wondering if I should get the thicker stuff (I didn't even know that existed), but then I got the liquid because you said oil. I'm trying to do the best I can.

I have some oil in the freezer in an ice cube tray (not full, just a small amount in each cube) and will see if that works. If not, I'll go back to the store and get the thicker kind.

My hen's crop continues to feel softer, so hoping it's a good sign.

 

[KnightsMist]

Quick update. As of this morning, her crop is still not emptying. I gave her coconut oil either frozen with a few of her crumbles or soaked with tiny bits of bread several times yesterday, gave stool softener 2x, massaged her crop many times, have otherwise allowed her access to water but no food, kept in the dog crate.

I first noticed her enlarged crop Tuesday, so we're going on day 4 of this now. What else do I do? Monostat? I just called a localish vet that sees chickens, but they don't have any openings for a week and a half.

So what next? I feel like I can't withold food forever without negative effects (obviously).

 

[azygous]

You should be offering food and water. She will takes them as she feels she needs to.

Have you tried the stool softener? what did the crop feel like this morning? Did you read through this article on treating crop disorders? https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

You might start her on the miconazole for sour crop and see how that goes.

 

[KnightsMist]

You should be offering food and water. She will takes them as she feels she needs to.

Have you tried the stool softener? what did the crop feel like this morning? Did you read through this article on treating crop disorders? https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

You might start her on the miconazole for sour crop and see how that goes.

Ok, I thought I was supposed to withhold food. I'll give her access again. Yes gave stool softener twice yesterday, didn't notice it helped but I can try again.

I did read the article but just reread it again, thanks for reminder. I'll go get the more solid coconut oil and some monostat and try those and see if we can get it resolved today. Thanks for the help.