Chicken with ascites. Please help!

[LittleBird123]

On Sunday I first noticed that one of my chickens was looking a bit bloated. By Monday her abdomen was very large and she was struggling to breathe. On Tuesday after some research, I determined that she likely has ascites. I watched some videos on how to drain the fluid. I used a large syringe and an 18 gauge needle and drained about half of the straw-colored fluid from her. I did not want to drain all of it at once and send her into shock. She felt much better after this and her breathing improved. On Wednesday she was still acting better but she still had quite a bit of fluid in her abdomen. I did everything the same and drained some more fluid from her abdomen. She felt much better after this and was running around and eating. later that night I was putting her in the coop and I noticed that the area on the right side of her keel bone was getting swollen and felt like It was filled with fluid. The skin was also a bluish color. And the area where I removed the fluid was still draining. Today (Thursday) Both sides of her keel bone are swollen and feel like bags of water. The skin in this area is a light bluish/pink/white. The area where I poked her is still draining. Her abdomen has not filled back up and she is still walking around and has an appetite. Her comb and wattles are a normal color as well. She has been having a lot of VERY watery diarrhea. I don't know what to do. Are these areas filled with blood or more fluid? Should I try to drain them or would that be dangerous? Is this just swelling from when I drained her abdomen or did I cause internal bleeding? Would soaking the area in Epsom salt water help or would it be better to place a cool pack on the area to reduce swelling. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't know what to do next and I just want her to be comfortable.
( I can post more pictures of specific areas if anyone needs them)

The skin near the site where I drained her. It is on the right side of her abdomen at the low point behind her right leg.

The blueish colored skin that is swollen and feels full of fluid on the right side of her keel bone. It is also like this on the left side.


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Closer picture of the skin on the right side of the keel bone.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

later that night I was putting her in the coop and I noticed that the area on the right side of her keel bone was getting swollen and felt like It was filled with fluid. The skin was also a bluish color. And the area where I removed the fluid was still draining. Today (Thursday) Both sides of her keel bone are swollen and feel like bags of water. The skin in this area is a light bluish/pink/white. The area where I poked her is still draining. Her abdomen has not filled back up and she is still walking around and has an appetite. Her comb and wattles are a normal color as well. She has been having a lot of VERY watery diarrhea.

Dear, I am sorry your hen is unwell.

On Tuesday after some research, I determined that she likely has ascites.

What is her age and breed?

If it is indeed ascites, prognosis is poor and any draining your do will be mostly to increase comfort level on her way out... which is fine if that's your choice.

That swelling in the breast tissue is likely fluid that has no where else to go.. the bodies organs ARE shutting down, the liver, congestive heart failure, etc.. as you describe it to a tee.. I'm sorry.

Epsom salt soak will absorb magnesium through the skin into muscles which can help with soreness for athletes or in egg binding.. I mean it MIGHT be relaxing to her, some birds enjoy it. Mine never do. If she drinks will cause more diarrhea, I don't think it will draw out the fluid. No I don't think you caused internal bleeding.

If it were ME, I would NOT subject a bird to more treatments as considered. I would end it quickly!

was running around and eating. later that night I was putting her in the coop and I noticed that the area on the right side of her keel bone was getting swollen and felt like It was filled with fluid. The skin was also a bluish color.

For the sake of argument.. What was she eating? Any possibility she bumped BOTH breast on the way down from roost?

You seem like a brave soul, sorry you both are facing this. No matter what, it's always a tough choice even when it's the right choice!

 

[LittleBird123]

Dear, I am sorry your hen is unwell.


What is her age and breed?

If it is indeed ascites, prognosis is poor and any draining your do will be mostly to increase comfort level on her way out... which is fine if that's your choice.

That swelling in the breast tissue is likely fluid that has no where else to go.. the bodies organs ARE shutting down, the liver, congestive heart failure, etc.. as you describe it to a tee.. I'm sorry.

Epsom salt soak will absorb magnesium through the skin into muscles which can help with soreness for athletes or in egg binding.. I mean it MIGHT be relaxing to her, some birds enjoy it. Mine never do. If she drinks will cause more diarrhea, I don't think it will draw out the fluid. No I don't think you caused internal bleeding.

If it were ME, I would NOT subject a bird to more treatments as considered. I would end it quickly!



For the sake of argument.. What was she eating? Any possibility she bumped BOTH breast on the way down from roost?

You seem like a brave soul, sorry you both are facing this. No matter what, it's always a tough choice even when it's the right choice!

Thank you for your reply. I think she is a little over two years old. She used to belong to my neighbor so I don't know her exact age. She is an amberlink. I dont have any way to end it quickly for her. She is still walking around, eating, and scratching some, so I just want to make her comfortable for as long as I can. she was eating their chicken food and an egg with turmeric and oregano in it that I made for her. I noticed the swelling around a half-hour after I put her on the roost. Should I try to drain some of the fluid from her chest to make her more comfortable or should I leave her alone and see how she is in the morning? I also have some liquid meloxicam, I have read that it can be used in chickens. Would it be a good idea to give her a few drops to reduce pain and inflammation?