Chick has swollen abdomen; not responsive.

[LikeTurkeys]

Hello.
One of my six week old chicks has a swollen abdomen and is unresponsive. I noticed it just now and he was still walking around this morning (though I noticed that he did chirp a few times in an odd way). His breathing is labored and he is sitting with his eyes closed. His crop is very small and feels like it has mostly water in it, and I can't recall seeing him join the others this morning when I fed them. Should I put him down? Could it be a blockage in his intestines somewhere? I'm asking because my grandmother had been tossing in grass and weeds not cut into the coop because they were locked up. I know that this can cause impacted crop, but what if the blockage was further down the line? Photos:

Please help.
Thank you.

 

[casportpony]

Can it poop?

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Can it poop?

I don't know, I haven't seen him do so yet. I've only just now separated him, he is in a box right next to me. His vent is clear though, no poop blocking there.

 

[casportpony]

I don't know, I haven't seen him do so yet. I've only just now separated him, he is in a box right next to me. His vent is clear though, no poop blocking there.

In your other thread, you said you were concerned about the growth rate of these chicks, yes? Some things, like coccidiosis, or bacterial infections, can cause slowed growth and sometimes those things can cause swollen abdomens.

Where in Southern California are you? Are you close to San Bernadino? I ask because if this one dies you should have a necropsy done.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

In your other thread, you said you were concerned about the growth rate of these chicks, yes? Some things, like coccidiosis, or bacterial infections, can cause slowed growth and sometimes those things can cause swollen abdomens.

Where in Southern California are you? Are you close to San Bernadino? I ask because if this one dies you should have a necropsy done.

Sorry for the delay. Yes, that is partly why I asked about their growth, I was concerned something like that could be going on but didn't see any other symptoms at the time. I am in San Diego county.

 

[casportpony]

Sorry for the delay. Yes, that is partly why I asked about their growth, I was concerned something like that could be going on but didn't see any other symptoms at the time. I am in San Diego county.

San Diego to San Bernadino where the closest lab is is a long drive. The other option would be to FedEx it to them. Necropsy cost, plus shipping would be about $30. If you cant do that, you could do your own necropsy, take pictures, and we could try to help you figure out what when wrong.

Sadly, I think you might not be able to save this one, but if you have some Corid you could try that.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

San Diego to San Bernadino where the closest lab is is a long drive. The other option would be to FedEx it to them. Necropsy cost, plus shipping would be about $30. If you cant do that, you could do your own necropsy, take pictures, and we could try to help you figure out what when wrong.

Sadly, I think you might not be able to save this one, but if you have some Corid you could try that.

Thank you @casportpony, thank you very much. I think I may be able to do my own necropsy and post pictures here if he dies. I don't have Corid on hand, I just hope he is not in very much pain.
Thanks again.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

@casportpony, he just passed . I am planning on doing a necropsy myself. Thank you for your help.

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony, he just passed . I am planning on doing a necropsy myself. Thank you for your help.

I am very sorry for your loss Have you done a necropsy before? FWIW, I just lost one too and am about to do a necropsy too, and like your chick, mine also has a swollen abdomen, though mine is much younger, so I suspect mine has mushy chick disease.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

I am very sorry for your loss Have you done a necropsy before? FWIW, I just lost one too and am about to do a necropsy too, and like your chick, mine also has a swollen abdomen, though mine is much younger, so I suspect mine has mushy chick disease.

Yes I have, on an adult bird I lost last month. I even started a thread on how to properly do a home necropsy. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-do-you-properly-necropsy-a-dead-chicken.1349277/ which I'm going to review real quick before I start. Thanks, I feel a little better that I'm not alone here.