Elderly hen with prolapsed vent, need some help

[Chido]

So my 8-year-old hen, Megatron, has had a prolapsed vent for a week now. I've followed all the advice I've found online - clean the vent carefully, use prep H, push the tissue back in gently, and spray vetericyn 2-3 times a day and keeping her in a dark place for most of the day. It keeps popping out. Despite being so old and on restricted light access, she's still laying eggs twice a week. The tissue looks healthy and it doesn't smell bad (well, just the usual poop spell), she eats well and doesn't seem to be in unbearable pain. She just can't keep her butt inside.

I can't afford a vet atm because I had to take my rooster for treatment due to a huge abscess in his throat, and the whole thing was way more expensive than I had budgeted for. I am aware that my hen is old and it may be her age that makes her body be like this, but is there anything else I can do?

 

[cottagecheese]

The first thing would be to stop the Prep H because looking at dozens of cases - unfortunately most don't make it if treated like that. Coconut oil (cold pressed, organic) has a better track record. Vitamin A is very important too, so supplementing her diet with something rich in carotenoids is advisable too. Here is something very useful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/advice-wanted-prolapsed-vent-follow-up-treatment.1301970/

If she eats layer, calcium is not a problem. Selenium (sunflower seeds) is a good idea. If you know of an oak in your area, the problem would be remedied without much fuss. Don't be overly concerned about her age. Another recent thread, but please don't consider antibiotics unless clearly needed, for obvious considerations. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/persistent-prolapsed-vent.1306727/#post-21306684

 

[micstrachan]

Hi. So sorry about your hen. I believe there is a way to hold it in with sterile gauze and vet wrap, but you’d need to leave an opening so she can poop. I might be able to find a thread on this. Can you post photos?

 

[Chido]

Here are pictures of how her prolapse looks when it pops out. She had some poop stuck but I soaked her butt and gently worked as much as it off. Then that's the bandage thing i made using the pictures from that thread as guide. since yesterday it's been easier to push the tissue back inside, but her vent is so puffy and swollen, poor Mega

 

[micstrachan]

Poor sweetie. I’ve seen much worse prolapses in these forums, however. You are doing a good job with her. When did you do the bandage?

 

[Chido]

did it like an hour ago, but took it off because it popped out again. It's been easier to pop it back in lately, but I'm just so worried it's been a week of dealing with this and it doesn't seem to improve much

 

[Chido]

So Mega has gone broody which is good because no more egg laying and few poops a day. I put her in her covered crate about 4 hours ago and pushed her prolapse in, went to check on her a few minutes ago and it was still inside, yay progress!!!