Draining chickens abdomen and getting green-tinged fluid

[crysi727]

I have a 4 year old Rhode Island hen who has been "sick" for a few months. My husband and I have been draining fluid from her abdomen every 2-3 weeks. Up until now it has been clear/light yellow. Last night the color I drained out was green-tinged. We drain her under sterile conditions, keep her in overnight and liberally apply anti tic ointment before she goes back "home" with her sisters. I'm pretty sure she didn't pick up an infection from the draining.

She is eating and drinking fine, is happily running around with the rest of her flock and is generally acting like herself. She has no fever. When I palpitate her abdomen I feel what seems like a floating object. I want to say it could be an egg, but I'm not positive. We have no chicken vets in the area so that's (unfortunately) an option.

What could the change in color indicate? I do have a Tractor Supply a few towns over, if there is anything we would need, I'm sure I could buy it there.

So far, we haven't been overly worried about our Lucy, but now with the change in fluid color were becoming more and more concerned. Any advice/information would be GREATLY appreciated. We don't eat our chickens and they're like family members to us.

Crysi

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just my thoughts, but if the fluid you are draining from the abdomen has taken on a green color, then most likely advanced infection is setting in.

I would assume that since you've been giving supportive care (draining the abdomen) for a few months, that she has Ascites, Egg Yolk Peritonitis or something similar. You could try antibiotic treatment, but usually this is not effective.

If you have vet care available, then that would be best.

 

[crysi727]

I've called every vet, 4H and co-op in the area. Nobody takes chickens

I do nursing so I was pretty sure it was ascites and possibly an infection. My other thought is maybe I got the intentional system instead?

We have her out with her sisters and she hasn't showed any signs of decompensation so far. I'll go up to put local farm store and inquire about antibiotic therapy. I'm willing to try anything until I know it's her time.

Thank you for responding, I appreciate it ! Crysi

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've called every vet, 4H and co-op in the area. Nobody takes chickens

I do nursing so I was pretty sure it was ascites and possibly an infection. My other thought is maybe I got the intentional system instead?

We have her out with her sisters and she hasn't showed any signs of decompensation so far. I'll go up to put local farm store and inquire about antibiotic therapy. I'm willing to try anything until I know it's her time.

Thank you for responding, I appreciate it ! Crysi

Your local feed store should have some type of antibiotics.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Your local feed store should have some type of antibiotics.

I am as yet unsure of the ramifications but you may wish to stock up on antibiotics for your animals use. I saw a small snippet in the paper that soon only your vet will be able to write prescriptions for animal antibiotics. This will likely result in you having to

carry any sick animal to the veterinarian for both examination, lab testing, and evaluation before you are allowed to purchase life saving medicine for your critters.


It would be a good idea for someone else to confirm this governmental overreach. Don't take my Right Wing Nut Job, Basket Full of Deplorables word for it. Research it and learn the truth for yourself then share the news with the rest of us..

 

[crysi727]

I'm taking your advice, thank you

I'm going to my local farm store and stocking up. We have no vets within a 25 mile radius that takes chickens. It's sad that with so many people raising flocks that there Arent more vets to help them when they get sick. I'll do research, completely unbiased if I can find it, and share it .Thank you for responding to my post, I truly appreciate it

 

[3feathers]

I had a chicken with water belly (ascites) which this sounds like. Yellow fluid and all. Good article on it : http://www.thepamperedpulletsfarm.com/Water_Belly.html
First guess would be a nick to a digestive wall from the needle that let contamination into the body cavity. The fluid is protein rich and would be very good breeding ground. Smell the fluid for that "infection smell" see if it smelled different from the previous fluid. The fluid I removed had a very distinctive smell.

 

[DesertChic]

I have a 4 year old Rhode Island hen who has been "sick" for a few months. My husband and I have been draining fluid from her abdomen every 2-3 weeks. Up until now it has been clear/light yellow. Last night the color I drained out was green-tinged. We drain her under sterile conditions, keep her in overnight and liberally apply anti tic ointment before she goes back "home" with her sisters. I'm pretty sure she didn't pick up an infection from the draining.

She is eating and drinking fine, is happily running around with the rest of her flock and is generally acting like herself. She has no fever. When I palpitate her abdomen I feel what seems like a floating object. I want to say it could be an egg, but I'm not positive. We have no chicken vets in the area so that's (unfortunately) an option.

What could the change in color indicate? I do have a Tractor Supply a few towns over, if there is anything we would need, I'm sure I could buy it there.

So far, we haven't been overly worried about our Lucy, but now with the change in fluid color were becoming more and more concerned. Any advice/information would be GREATLY appreciated. We don't eat our chickens and they're like family members to us.

Crysi

I know this thread is pretty old, but can I ask how everything turned out? I just drained one of my own hens and all of the fluid was also green with no foul smell or anything to indicate infection other than the color. I was wondering how long your girl lasted after her fluid turned green, and whether or not you managed to treat with antibiotics.

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

I know this thread is pretty old, but can I ask how everything turned out? I just drained one of my own hens and all of the fluid was also green with no foul smell or anything to indicate infection other than the color. I was wondering how long your girl lasted after her fluid turned green, and whether or not you managed to treat with antibiotics.

Hello! Not to hijack the thread but I just drained my 2 year old buff brahma and the fluid was pretty dark yellow green, foamy but no bad smell. Smelled like chicken broth to me weird huh? Should I drain her again? I too am afraid I got the intestinal fluid or something... she's probably a good 4 cups of fluid in her, I took about 1 cup on wednesday. then she started coughing a little so I stopped. I really want to help her!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello! Not to hijack the thread but I just drained my 2 year old buff brahma and the fluid was pretty dark yellow green, foamy but no bad smell. Smelled like chicken broth to me weird huh? Should I drain her again? I too am afraid I got the intestinal fluid or something... she's probably a good 4 cups of fluid in her, I took about 1 cup on wednesday. then she started coughing a little so I stopped. I really want to help her!

Hi @Evelyn's Mom Is she having trouble breathing, walking, not eating, etc.?
I would see if she improves after the initial draining. Taking too much fluid at once can be hard on them and send them into shock or cardiac arrest.

You may find this helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sick-chicken-with-big-belly.1204480/