Egg bound/peritonitis

[pruettchickens]

2 days ago I noticed my hen had a dry comb but she was walking around the yard and I didnt think much of it. Then yesterday she was sitting in the run, moving her tail up and down. Also had the penguin walk going on a little. Figured she was egg bound, so I got warm water with Epsom salt ready and put her in for 30 min. She was also very poopy on back end. About 5 min in I noticed that she had a big bulge underneath and so I watched videos and drained about 50 ml of yellow fluid out. Then it kept running out the needle hole slowly as my husband held her. I also noticed I think I felt a small egg but it was farther up than I expected and to the left a little and small. We got her a crate with shavings ready, I gave her water with 2 Tums in it which she hasnt drank much of. She has ate and drank some. Actually ate quite a bit. So we left her in a dark quiet place until we got home about 7 hours later. A lot of the shavings were soaked where she was sitting. I cleaned that up and put in new. The bulge is completely gone. She walked a little when I let her out but was a little wobbly. I put a glove and lubricant on and didnt feel anything, some poop came out. I decided to put some olive oil up her to see if that would help with the egg, which I didnt feel anymore. This morning she was sitting with her tail straight up, she is very awake but she is panting a little. She is in a climate controlled shed so it's not hot. I never saw an egg last night or this morning. Not even shells if she smashed it. I guess I just need to know where to go from here. I dont understand why she is panting, she was comfortable in there yesterday so I dont think its stress. Unless she is better and she just wants out but I doubt it. And also, what exactly is that yellow fluid that came out of her? All the videos I watched never explained. Thank you!

 

[pruettchickens]

I should add that she is 2 or 3. And not overweight. And she is a Rhode island red. Not sure what she layed before this or how often since we have 12 other hens. I feed eggmaker by adm

 

[micstrachan]

Hi there. Sorry about your hen. She may be panting from pain. Did you clean her skin well before inserting the needle? Did you leave it very shallow and use a sterile needle? Was ithe fluid a cloudy (like egg yolk) yellow or clear yellow? If she lost a lot of fluid, she needs to be replenished. Will she drink and can you put electrolytes in her water? I once had an avian vet administer subcutaneous fluid after draining my hen. Is an avian vet an option? It sounds like the mass has moved along. Was it firm?

 

[micstrachan]

I should also share that I once drained my own hen and the same thing happened where she continued to drip after I removed the needle. She stood around lifeless for a lot of the day, but felt much better the next day.
Fluid in the abdomen is indicative of ascites, which could be from infection, organ issues, cancer or if it’s stained with egg yolk, internal laying.

 

[pruettchickens]

I did clean it with alcohol, and I didnt insert the needle too far. Yes it was a sterile, new needle. It was also raining and maybe it was loud on the tin roof and scaring her. It was mostly clear I think, it looked like apple juice but more yellow. I went out this morning and she was sitting there pretty perky. Had some poop in the cage with her. And I saw her drink some but I dont know if it's enough. Where do I find electrolytes at?

 

[pruettchickens]

I should also share that I once drained my own hen and the same thing happened where she continued to drip after I removed the needle. She stood around lifeless for a lot of the day, but felt much better the next day.
Fluid in the abdomen is indicative of ascites, which could be from infection, organ issues, cancer or if it’s stained with egg yolk, internal laying.

I replied to your questions. But not directly but it is in this thread. I went to our farm store and got an electrolyte and vitamin supplement. It says mix one packet to a gallon. I wish I knew what the fluid was from, if it is cancer will it come back? I was hoping it was an egg that busted since it was yellow but I guess it could be other things. As she gets stronger we have a small coop that is empty and clean so I may put her in that in a few days.

 

[micstrachan]

Apple juice yellow and not cloudy like egg yolk is probably not EYP, in my opinion. More likely ascites, in which case draining can sometimes offer temporary relief. Yes, if it’s cancer, I believe it will return eventually. If an avian vet is not an option, I would make her as comfortable as possible and continue supportive care. Pain meds (aspirin) or ibuprofen, may ease her discomfort. If she has an infection, which you may not be able to tell, antibiotics may help. Unfortunately, if she has cancer, organ failure or a laying disorder, prognosis is bleak. But you may be able to help her feel better for awhile. Just know that at some point her suffering may get to a point that ending it is the kindest option. Not saying you are there yet and it may never get to that point.
Do you know when she last laid an egg? She may have a soft one in the works. A calcium supplement can help with that. I have crushed Tums into raw egg yolk to get a sick hen to take it, in case you want to try that.

 

[pruettchickens]

Ok I will try to crush tums and get her to take that. I did in water but she didnt take much. I'll try ibuprofen too. If she doesnt improve soon I think the best option is to put her out of her misery. As much as I hate to.

I replied to your questions. But not directly but it is in this thread. I went to our farm store and got an electrolyte and vitamin supplement. It says mix one packet to a gallon. I wish I knew what the fluid was from, if it is cancer will it come back? I was hoping it was an egg that busted since it was yellow but I guess it could be other things. As she gets stronger we have a small coop that is empty and clean so I may put her in that in a few days.

Apple juice yellow and not cloudy like egg yolk is probably not EYP, in my opinion. More likely ascites, in which case draining can sometimes offer temporary relief. Yes, if it’s cancer, I believe it will return eventually. If an avian vet is not an option, I would make her as comfortable as possible and continue supportive care. Pain meds (aspirin) or ibuprofen, may ease her discomfort. If she has an infection, which you may not be able to tell, antibiotics may help. Unfortunately, if she has cancer, organ failure or a laying disorder, prognosis is bleak. But you may be able to help her feel better for awhile. Just know that at some point her suffering may get to a point that ending it is the kindest option. Not saying you are there yet and it may never get to that point.
Do you know when she last laid an egg? She may have a soft one in the works. A calcium supplement can help with that. I have crushed Tums into raw egg yolk to get a sick hen to take it, in case you want to try that.