Cannot drain ascites (water belly)

[762]

I have a hen that has water belly, no question. I bought an 18 gauge, 3/4” syringe and attempted to drain the fluid as in the video below. It would NOT drain and all we encountered was resistance when trying to draw the syringe. After examination of the little we did extract, it appeared to be fatty tissue. We attempted to draw from another spot and got more of the same, this time no question that it was fatty tissue.

I didn’t want to continue to poke her and get the same result so I tagged her and returned her to the coop.

Should I try a longer needle tomorrow? The lady in the video said to use a short needle.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@Eggcessive

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a hen that has water belly, no question. I bought an 18 gauge, 3/4” syringe and attempted to drain the fluid as in the video below. It would NOT drain and all we encountered was resistance when trying to draw the syringe. After examination of the little we did extract, it appeared to be fatty tissue. We attempted to draw from another spot and got more of the same, this time no question that it was fatty tissue.

I didn’t want to continue to poke her and get the same result so I tagged her and returned her to the coop.

Should I try a longer needle tomorrow? The lady in the video said to use a short needle.

If you're not drawing fluid but fatty material, she doesn't have fluid in the abdomen.

She may have excess fat in the abdomen due to Fatty Liver Disease or just be fat. Possible she has another condition like Salpingitis, EYP, Internal Laying, Cancer, etc., that can cause distention of the abdomen.

What other symptoms does she exhibit? Is she acting sick, lethargic, having difficulty breathing or walking?