Drained ascites, now a few questions

[BPaula]

I drained 200ml of fluid from Scarlet who is 3 1/2 years old RIR with water belly, a very purple comb, and weak (happened very fast - water belly could have been going on for some time, but her comb was fine and she was pecking around as normal and then suddenly she was weak with a purple comb). After taking out the needle, she must’ve drained another 200ml or so on two towels. The fluid was clear yellow however towards the end of the draining it was tinged with pink / blood. I’m worried I might have nicked something inside with the needle? Should I give her her metacam or any antibiotics? It’s about 10 hours later and she’s eating and drinking a little but still pretty weak looking. I gave her vitamins and electrolytes and some oregano. Going to get some vitamin C next. Mainly wondering if I should be giving her any kind of medicine at this point? Also, it seems so hard when doing this to keep the needle from going in too far, I’m using an 18 gauge needle but it is like an inch long maybe I should get a shorter one? Also, it seem like it drained out so easy when I pulled the needle out I’m not sure pulling the liquid out with the syringe is the greatest of ideas because it seems it leaves more time where the slightest movement could cause the needle to nick something inside. It seems like it would be better to do a poke, remove needle and let it drain naturally since just as much came out draining on its own. Any thoughts here?

 

[ChicNmom]

I have drained several chickens. It sounds like the draining went fine. If there was a lot of fluid and under pressure you will get more out.


How do her feet look? Are they puffy? The purple comb leads me to believe there could be a heart issue. Was her comb still purple after draining?

You could give some metacam to make her more comfortable.

Depending in the situation and hen I have given a round of antibiotics to a hen with ascites. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't but makes them more comfortable for as long as they have left.

 

[BPaula]

Her comb is still purple, so yes worry she’s not getting enough oxygen. Her feet look normal. She isn’t very active, and is hunched up. I might have caught it too late

 

[ChicNmom]

@BPaula

If it's heart failure there is nothing you can do.

Did you check her over for lice or mites? If she's been filling up with fluid she may not be dust bathing and caring for herself. A severe mite infection could cause the comb to darken although I've never seen that deep purple shade, usually just deep red.

 

[BPaula]

She’s actually still hanging in there! A lot of the purple left her comb - there’s just a little left at the top. She still is not as energetic, and doesn’t eat as much but she’s pecking around and acting like she’s got a little life left in her. She definitely seems to do better when warm in the sun, even in the upper 50’s seems like her comb gets a little darker like maybe she expends more energy trying to stay warm (it’s been cool here at night and she is very skinny). I will try to figure out if she has mites, that is one thing I haven’t diagnosed yet since I’ve had chickens (just 4 years) so I hope I’m not missing the signs of it. Anyhow hoping Scarlet can peck around in the sun a little longer!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How's Scarlet doing?

 

[Eggcessive]

That is probably way too much fluid to drain. It is hard to control how much drains out after the needle removal though. That may be the cause of the purple comb and weakness. I would offer some electrolytes or Poultry NutriDrench and fluids. Unfortunately the main causes of water belly are eventually fatal, and those include heart failure, fatty liver disease, egg yolk peritonitis, and cancer. I usually only drain if they are having labored breathing. Repeated draining can cause infection or death. When I lose a hen, I usually do a necropsy, and look for ascites or other problems.

 

[catballou]

She’s actually still hanging in there! A lot of the purple left her comb - there’s just a little left at the top. She still is not as energetic, and doesn’t eat as much but she’s pecking around and acting like she’s got a little life left in her. She definitely seems to do better when warm in the sun, even in the upper 50’s seems like her comb gets a little darker like maybe she expends more energy trying to stay warm (it’s been cool here at night and she is very skinny). I will try to figure out if she has mites, that is one thing I haven’t diagnosed yet since I’ve had chickens (just 4 years) so I hope I’m not missing the signs of it. Anyhow hoping Scarlet can peck around in the sun a little longer!

I hope your hen is doing better.
I have a 3 yr old sapphire gem hen with water belly right now. I'm going to try draining her but very nervous about doing it alone. She is my favorite, of course.

 

[AmidalaBrahma]

That is probably way too much fluid to drain. It is hard to control how much drains out after the needle removal though. That may be the cause of the purple comb and weakness.

All the videos and websites I found before treating my hen said not to take out too much too fast or it could put them into shock and then kill them. Eyeballing it is difficult but I'd rather not take out enough and have to do it again soon instead of taking too much.