Egg peritonitis

[Laurenpedler]

Hi, I have a polish bantam, a very special pet, who I discovered last Thursday with egg peritonitis, I have had her on antibiotics for nearly 10 days, and she seems to be doing very well, however I have just taken her to the vets to have her fluid drained again, as she hasn’t been eating well. Generally in herself she is very perky, I was just wondering if anyone else has any experience with a chicken who recovered from egg peritonitis and how long it took for the fluid to stop coming back, and if theirs stopped eating how long it took for them to start again properly.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m so sorry to have to tell you I tried VERY hard to rid my girl of Egg Yolk Peritonitis, but ultimately she succumbed. She did have a few good months, but never quite gained her weight back and was prone to illness afterward. She had a second round of antibiotics and draining, and we even put her in hormones to prevent laying. I spent about $2000 on her and so much love and care. When she passed, it seemed like she had the beginnings of salpingitis and a respiratory infection. I think she was just too weak.
I hate telling you this, as I remember when I was DETERMINED to prove the nay sayers wrong. Rusty wanted to live! We fought hard together.
Please enjoy every little cute thing she does. I sincerely hope your outcome is better than ours. Hugs.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Laurenpedler,

First welcome to BYC.

I had to finally euthanize a hen that suffered with ascites (fluid build up), for a year. She had suspected egg peritonitis. This infection of the ovary is caused by E. Coli bacteria.

My hen, "Filamena", had three remissions from the fluid build up during that year. She was treated with antibiotics in the beginning of her infection, which really did help. In fact, after many months of not laying an egg, she suddenly laid an egg three time in one month, then stopped. I provided good supportive care each time she swelled. Her supportive care included: herbal antibiotic remedy, epsom salt soaks twice a week, supportive meals, as she would go off feed, and I placed step ups around the yard, to accommodate her. Her perching area in the coop was also modified with netting under, to prevent her from falling. They are very clumsy, because of the swollen belly. They cannot and should not jump up, or down from the perch. Some hens have ruptured their bellies from this, and death resulted. You can also let her sleep in a nest box; my hen would not have it.

So, you see...caring for the hen will be quite involved. If she is a pet, it is something you may want to do for her. But, many keepers will cull the hen because they don't have time for this level of care.

Some hens live several years, but mild infection does reoccur. E. Coli is a common bacteria that exists in the environment and in the intestines of the chicken. There are different strains of E. Coli, some are deadly. Because of the chicken's unique anatomy, the bacteria is able to invade the oviduct through the cloaca. It is believed that some hens are just more prone than others due to intense egg laying, and hormonal shifts.

My poor Filamena, her last relapse with ascite swelling lasted four weeks. The day before I euthanized her, she was injured running up a hill. The injury wasn't serious, but, she had such labored breathing, that I just felt she was now suffering. It broke my heart to end her life, but, in doing so, I also ended her suffering. She had a good life with much chicken joy!

Your hen may not go through this, only time will tell.

These are my thoughts on your hens issue, based on my experience with oviduct infection and the ascites resulting. I hope this is helpful.

God Bless and peace to you.

 

[Laurenpedler]

Hi all, tbh

Hi, I have a polish bantam, a very special pet, who I discovered last Thursday with egg peritonitis, I have had her on antibiotics for nearly 10 days, and she seems to be doing very well, however I have just taken her to the vets to have her fluid drained again, as she hasn’t been eating well. Generally in herself she is very perky, I was just wondering if anyone else has any experience with a chicken who recovered from egg peritonitis and how long it took for the fluid to stop coming back, and if theirs stopped eating how long it took for them to start again properly.

Hi everyone, just wanted to thank you all for your advice and to give you an update! After having the fluid drained for the first time, the fluid came back again much worse and had to be drained again. This affected her and she stopped eating anything apart from mealworms. After having it drained again, it didn’t come back and she was so much better in herself! She had more antibiotics and had the implant a couple of weeks later. She is back to her old self now and thriving! I am so relieved as she is part of the family. Thank you again for all your advice, and I hope you find the success that I have had with my girl!

 

[coach723]

It's great that she's doing so well, very likely the implant has made the difference. You are fortunate to have access to a vet that can do this for her (and you). Hope she has a happy, long life!