Bloody discharge from vent, HELP!*Graphic Pic*

[baltimoreharps]

Our Black sex link hen is lethargic today, not eating or drinking and has started laying in the last 2 weeks. She was fine yesterday other than a slight cough and today she's listless and there is a bloody discharge coming from her vent. In addition to that, she also has a discharge from her nose.
I didn't feel anything that would indicate that she's eggbound, but I'm a little freaked right now so I could be missing something being upset.

The flock is on a 16% layer feed, oyster shell daily plus treats on the list and until today she's been eating and drinking just fine.

Vent area is deleted, Hook passed away tonight.

And the discharge, not the best pic...

Hope that someone can help, I REALLY don't want to lose this chicken!!

 

[Jenski]

Sorry about your poor hen. The appearance of the vent suggests to me (not a vet, just a chicken person) that she may have an internal infection and/or an egg broke inside her.

The nasal discharge, though, suggests a respiratory or generalized infection. I guess they could both appear at the same time, or perhaps they are part of something larger I am not identifying.

Either way, your hen is very sick. Do you have a quiet, dark place to keep her? Provide softened food and water (probiotics or vitamins?). Poly-vi-sol infant drops (without iron) from drugstore, 2-3 drops into beak, can help but aren't a cure. Experienced folks may chime in with recommendations on antibiotic types, but you want to be sure to administer the right kind if you go that route.

Do you have access to an avian vet?

 

[LynneP]

I agree with Jenski, this hen needs a vet.
It looks like a case for antibiotics, IF she can be saved.
I'm so sorry, and please don't hesitate if you can get her to a vet, or have one make a call.

Possibly peritonitis.

 

[baltimoreharps]

Right now, she's in the coop in the top of the tractor and is isolated from the rest of the flock. I'm thinking about moving her to the bathroom, but I don't want to stress her anymore than she already is.
If she did have an egg break inside, would that be palpable to feel? And what do I do to help her with it?
I did go and clean the vent area up, and her vent appears pink, and ot swollen and so far it doesn't look like a prolapse, but it could just be in the beginning stages...

We don't have an avian vet within 50 miles, so I'm going to have to go this alone.

Thanks for replying and trying to help, I really appreciate it.

 

[LynneP]

She may indeed have a broken eggs inside and this has damaged her oviduct and caused bleeding/infection. She is in deep trouble. Now I have to stand back and let the expert owners advise on whether to remove or not, and how and what antibiotic you may use. What do you have on hand?

Here are some threads on this topic.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/se...-1&q=antibiotic+for+peritonitis&sa=Search#834


To my eye, it looks like there is pressure just inside the vent.
An egg nay have broken and she is getting damaged by the attempt to pass it.
Even without experience, I'd put on a rubber glove, have some vaseline or bag balm handy and try to help her extricate the pieces.

 

[Jenski]

Have any pieces of egg shell some out of the vent? Any yolk, or other egg parts?

 

[baltimoreharps]

Quote:
What type of antibiotics would I be looking at? We don't have an avian vet within 50 miles, and the regular vets don't do chickens.

Is this transmissible to the rest of the flock?
Man, I really don't want to cull her, but will if it's better for her.

 

[baltimoreharps]

No egg shells that I've seen, and there was a very watery bloody tinged discharge coming from th vent area. Am going to check her now to see what it looks like after cleaning.
The only antibiotic on hand are for humans. We've only had the flock for less than a month.
Will be back in just a minute...

 

[LynneP]

I can only say what I would do, if it is peritonitis she has to be taken from the flock for treatment.

Certainly heat will help, either dry heat on a heating pad, or a shallow belly bath , both take about an hour.

When you examine her, use the gloves, and if possible a little vaseline or bag balm as a lubricant after. The thing is, she already looks like she has broken pieces in there and the heat will speed up contractions. In the photo there appears to be broken bits below the vent, is that what I'm seeing?

You need to decide if you want to go ahead, this hen may die, either way. Now me, I''m stubborn and I'd probably try the wet belly bath because it is mosre likely to ease the pieces out. But you have to realize that after, especially if infected, she may not make it.

If you think if will extend her suffering, no one would think less of you for culling her. Sometimes it's very lonely having chickens.

I'll wait here...

Jenski- still there?

 

[baltimoreharps]

Thanks Lynne, I'll try the shallow belly bath first before anything else, she's awfully weak so it can't hurt to try.

My heart's just breaking right now.