Gapeworm or Egg Peritonitis?

[PaxtonSageNOnion]

One of my hens has recently been showing signs of gapeworm but on reading a bit about the peritonitis I feel it may be one or the other. She is a Sussex and seems generally happy in herself but is the largest of the hens and weighs quite a bit. She tends to walk with a limp rather than a waddle but has a very bald and sore looking behind. It also seems quite inflated. Recently she has started making a very odd noise which I can only compare to those toys you buy kids that are plastic tubes that make a weird noise when you tip them to the side. A sort of last bit of breath croak. She stretches her neck right out and her breathing seems very laboured. It seems to have been worse today and she has spent most of her time laying down. I've heard that double yolkers are common with egg peritonitis and we have had a few of them recently. Really hoping it not as it would be a shame to see her go. She doesn't have any runny nose or discharge around her eyes. She sleeps on a mix of sawdust and straw when not on her perch and the other hens seem fine and healthy. Thanks guys.

 

[Judy]

If she has gapeworm you should find them on a moistened Qtip if you swab her mouth and throat. It sounds like egg peritonitis or a similar egg laying problem, though, I'm sorry to say, from the swollen bottom. Here is a good thread on the subject:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362422

 

[PaxtonSageNOnion]

Thanks, we are taking her down to the vets today, finges crossed its gapeworm but if not we will have to say our goodbyes

 

[rlouie246]

Hi I am new to this, we bought chicks in march and they all seemed healthy until today. They are free range but we put them in at night. This morning I found one that had her neck outstretched and looked as if she was having trouble breathing, a short time later she died (she was a barred rock). then I was walking around the area and I found one on my Male cornish rocks had died a short distance from the coop (I think he must have died maybe a day ago). There were no signs of being attacked or any others signs looking at there bodies.
What could be going on? Please help.

 

[rlouie246]

Hi I am new to this, we bought chicks in march and they all seemed healthy until today. They are free range but we put them in at night. This morning I found one that had her neck outstretched and looked as if she was having trouble breathing, a short time later she died (she was a barred rock). then I was walking around the area and I found one on my Male cornish rocks had died a short distance from the coop (I think he must have died maybe a day ago). There were no signs of being attacked or any others signs looking at there bodies.
What could be going on? Please help.

 

[rlouie246]

Hi I am new to this, we bought chicks in march and they all seemed healthy until today. They are free range but we put them in at night. This morning I found one that had her neck outstretched and looked as if she was having trouble breathing, a short time later she died (she was a barred rock). then I was walking around the area and I found one on my Male cornish rocks had died a short distance from the coop (I think he must have died maybe a day ago). There were no signs of being attacked or any others signs looking at there bodies.
What could be going on? Please help.