Egg yolk peritonitis

[Molly1090]

I have a hen with EYP. She was breathing heavy so I took her to the vet. They drained her and put her on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. He said she’ll likely go downhill again pretty quickly. She is filling back up but she is happy and actually roosted for the first time in a couple of weeks. Vet said as long as she’s happy we can keep draining her and he could show me how to do it at home. Do I continue to drain her as long as she’s happy? Will it be worse when she is off the meds? Should I just let nature take its course?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a hen with EYP. She was breathing heavy so I took her to the vet. They drained her and put her on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. He said she’ll likely go downhill again pretty quickly. She is filling back up but she is happy and actually roosted for the first time in a couple of weeks. Vet said as long as she’s happy we can keep draining her and he could show me how to do it at home. Do I continue to drain her as long as she’s happy? Will it be worse when she is off the meds? Should I just let nature take its course?

I'm sorry about your hen.

It would really be up to you to decide whether you want to continue with supportive care like the vet suggested or to leave her be.

A lot of folks do drain the fluid to make their hens more comfortable. This of course is not a cure, but draining can help them have a better quality of life while they are still here. If the vet is willing to show you how to drain, that would be good. There are several good youtube videos, but seeing it first hand with an experienced vet is better.

It's really hard to know if she will go down hill after the antibiotics or not. A lot depends on the cause, if her organs (liver/heart) are involved, etc. It's a gamble like most anything we do - try it and see how it goes.