Chicken has a swollen, tight abdomen and she pants at night. Help!!!!!!

[SweetJoy7]

Hello! Our almost 2 year old golden comet has a very tight swollen abdomen and she pants at night. We tried a warm water bath and we gave her brewer's yeast for ascites. She is very active and she does run/walk around. She waddles because her abdomen is so swollen. We have tried a few essential oils for constipation and such but she seems to be getting tighter. She does not have anything coming out of her vent and when she does go to the bathroom, barely anything comes out. Thank you so much!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Sounds like she may need to be drained.

 

[SweetJoy7]

How do you do that??????

 

[Wyandottes7]

Here is some more information on ascites:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/506157/think-that-my-girl-has-ascites-update-chicken-better
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/734283/ascites-hen-attempted-draining

 

[SweetJoy7]

Thank you! Those links are very helpful. we tried the vitamin B and the protein. Hope she gets better!!1 Any other ideas? Anybody?

 

[SweetJoy7]

Does ANYBODY have any cures for ascites????????our chicken is having trouble breathing now.....

ANYBODY???

 

[Chilali]

Ascitis is caused by a heart problem. There is no "cure"... if she's having trouble breathing and draining the fluid buildup didn't help I don't know what to tell you.

 

[SweetJoy7]

We have'nt drained her yet. Can you tell me exactly how to do it!!!!!!!??????

 

[Chilali]

You should check the links above about that. I usually try to do what I can to help my chickens, but ascitis is one thing that results in culling. Draining will give her some time, but will NOT cure her.

 

[casportpony]

Here are some pictures from when I did one. What is not pictured is the 30ml syringes I used to suck it out. Cause of this hen's ascites was either cancer or internal laying, I can't remember. She died about a week later, but some will live many months after, just depends on what's causing the fluid buildup.

Hen was cleaned with Chlorhexidine, had a 1" 18 gauge needle inserted and I syringed out about 500 ml of fluid.















-Kathy