Bloated Serama

[TacticalChickenDad]

We have a Serama hen (not sure of age, but over 2 according to the previous owner) that my wife just discovered is bloated like a balloon. Her entire abdomen (not just her crop) is swollen and distended and she has some raspy breathing going on. We looked into waterbelly, but my wife is convinced that it's not waterbelly based off the fact that she was/is eating fine and is not lethargic, nor does she have pale or blue comb/wattles. I am skeptical of a ruptured air sac based off of the fact that her entire abdomen is swollen, not just a lump. Any ideas on what it is and/or what to do for her?

 

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

Does her breath smell badly?

 

[TacticalChickenDad]

Poked her with a needle and she deflated! All air, so the wife was right.

 

[Zencoop]

Hello! Is she still alright? My favorite hen feels same way…

 

[Zencoop]

Poked her with a needle and she deflated! All air, so the wife was right.

Can you give more info on where you poked her, size of needle and what happened?

 

[TacticalChickenDad]

Seemed like she did a number on herself and had air pockets all over.

I used a 22g needle and poked where the bubbles were biggest, just getting under the skin and letting the air out slowly

 

[Sealizrus19]

Poked her with a needle and she deflated! All air, so the wife was right.

We just had this same thing happen. Husband poked her with a needle and she deflated like a balloon. No fluid.

Was that the end of it, or did it happen again?

 

[Eggcessive]

Subcutaneous emphysema or a leaking air sac causing air under the skin is common when there is a blunt trauma injury, but also can happen with an infection and air sacculitis. If an 18 gauge sterile hypodermic needle is used, it works well, but I used a 22 gauge needle and syringe to aspirate air from a 2 week old baby who was bumped. You can also prick the skin with a sterilized sewing needle and press the air out. Disinfect the skin before puncturing. A leaking air sac can cause sudden labored breathing, and the needle aspiration may ease that.

 

[Eggcessive]

We just had this same thing happen. Husband poked her with a needle and she deflated like a balloon. No fluid.

Was that the end of it, or did it happen again?

Usually, it is just air under the skin. If fluid is present it could be infection.