Egg bound? Tried to examine vent, not sure if I did it right

[Lucysmom002]

Oh and yes, I did use lube to help her pass that egg. I could feel into her vent just fine, if you can't something isn't right.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
I've heard Preparation H works for prolapse. Sorry to hear about your hen.

 

[Lucysmom002]

Very interesting. I'll have to look into that. I hope I never have that happen again.

 

[highwayhens]

Thank you all for your replies. It's really been helpful. I didn't quite understand that the warm bath was actually a remedy--I thought it was just to clean them up before examining them. But now it's on my list of things to try.

We got them some plain yoghurt on Friday and gave the six of them half the tub. Tomorrow hub will go to the Cal Ranch to get the vitamin/mineral/electrolyte stuff, more oyster shell, and some worm medicine if they have it.

I'll try a longer soak in warm water next. Maybe we'll put her in the shed by herself.

We've had a sick baby for the past year, and the chickens haven't gotten the attention they've needed. But we're trying to make it right now that LO is doing better.

 

[Celtic Chick]

This is also something you might want to consider. I cut & pasted some highlights from a thread about ACV:
Unpastuerized ACV (apple cidar vinegar) is a form of probiotics which can boost an animal's immune system. Strong immune systems are more resistant to the affects of cocci. Probiotics maintain a normal and healthy level of culture~good bacteria~in the bowels which prevents the more harmful, but naturally occuring, cocci bacteria from proliferating to the degree that it causes diarrhea, ulcerated bowels, dehydration, etc.
It's been shown to boost calcium absorption from feed & treats-- that makes for nice eggs.
Organic unfiltered (or unpasteurized) ACV helps with pasty bums, and is used as a worm preventative, too. A TBSP to a quart waterer for a few days. And you don't want to put it in metal waterers due to the acidity. The acidity in the vinegar can corrode metal so it can contaminate the water. There is a great article in Backyard Poultry April/May 2008 on the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
It helps the chickens to absorb Vit. D and calcium: also, if put in the chicken waterers daily in the summer it keeps the green slime out of the waterers.
The dosage I always used for the chickens is 2 tbsp of ACV to a gallon of water, do NOT use it with anything else in the water such as vitamins or medications and be sure to put it in plastic or glass waterers.
Mother of vinegar, often tenderly called simply “mother”, is a slimy gelatinous material that is found in unpasteurized vinegar. In general it is the growth of acetic bacteria which are responsible for turning alcohol into vinegar. The acetic bacteria which are the heart of the mother of vinegar are usually filtered and killed by pasteurization in most non-organic vinegars. However, the mother of vinegar when present in the final product, especially that in cider vinegar, has countless health benefits.
If you want more info, just search this site for ACV and be prepared to read alot.

 

[Judy4222]

Thank you for the wonderful advice. I have twice put my chicken in warm water with Epsom salts and blow dried her both times with the blow dryer (which she loved). I didn't feel like the lube was lubing her up enough, so, I put some sweet almond oil around her vent. She hasn't been able to go to the bathroom all day. I did explore her vent and a little bit of liquid came out but that was about it. I have her in my bathtub for now sitting on towels so she can try to be comfortable. I also gave her a tiny bit of prednisone with an antibiotic. I thought that would help with the swelling and pain she may be in. She isn't eating or drinking. I hope she makes it. I have had her for over two years now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the wonderful advice. I have twice put my chicken in warm water with Epsom salts and blow dried her both times with the blow dryer (which she loved). I didn't feel like the lube was lubing her up enough, so, I put some sweet almond oil around her vent. She hasn't been able to go to the bathroom all day. I did explore her vent and a little bit of liquid came out but that was about it. I have her in my bathtub for now sitting on towels so she can try to be comfortable. I also gave her a tiny bit of prednisone with an antibiotic. I thought that would help with the swelling and pain she may be in. She isn't eating or drinking. I hope she makes it. I have had her for over two years now.

Hi @Judy4222 How is your hen doing?
Not pooping all day is very concerning.
Do you have photos of her?

When you examined her, you didn't feel an egg?
What does her abdomen feel like when you cup your hand between her legs - hard, soft, swollen, fluid filled?
When did she last lay an egg? Have her eggs been "normal"?
What symptoms did she exhibit to make you investigate/think that she may be egg bound?

I would not give any more prednisone unless you have a recommendation from your vet. What antibiotic and dosage did you give?

Does your hen have a full crop any problems with the crop emptying overnight?

If she is alert and enjoys the soaking, it won't hurt her. I would try to keep her hydrated too. Since you don't feel an egg(?) and she is not pooping, then something to consider would be a reproductive problem like Internal Laying, Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, tumors or Salpingitis. Inflammation/masses, etc. in the abdomen make be blocking the intestines.

It's hard to know sometimes what is going on until examination upon death when you are able to see inside.

http://www.scoopfromthecoop.com/laying-issues-internal-layers-and-peritonitis/

 

[Judy4222]

Thank you so much for responding. The reason I thought something was wrong with her is that she was staying in the coop by herself. I felt her crop and it was empty and I could feel her breast bone. I brought her in three days ago and just yesterday her belly between her legs is hard and I thought it was an egg, but, it could be swelling instead. I don't know when the last time she laid an egg.

The antibiotic I gave her is some that the vet gave me for one of my ducks (she passed).

This morning when I checked on her, I saw three small poops. I smelt her breath and it doesn't smell sour. When I first brought her in she would peck at some bread and tomatoes but not her feed and now she wont even eat that. I am going to try to upload a picture, although I am not good at that.

Thank you again for your input.

 

[Judy4222]

 

[Judy4222]