Gasping hen and bloated begin leg area…why?

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Hello all! I hope you are well. Thank you in advance for any help!



About a week ago I noticed my four year old Welsummer panting. It was a bit of a hot day so I didn’t think anything of it. But, she hasn’t stopped panting and it has progressed into a more, ‘gasping for breath’ kind of thing, like they do when they are choking. She is lethargic and not really wanting to eat. Wattles are red and she is an otherwise healthy hen.



The only other strange thing I noticed today is that under her vent and between her legs- that whole area- feels very swollen and tight and full.



Any idea what may be wrong with her? What should I do? Thanks!

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

One more thing to add, I looked down her throat to see if she really was choking, but I couldn’t see anything abnormal.

 

[Goosebaby]

Im so sorry!
A swollen abdomen could be ascites. Typically ascites are a symptom of heart failure but it can be a result of other organ failure/dysfunction, infection, or a serious reproductive issue.
The buildup in fluid is probably pushing on her lungs and airsacks, of the heart is having trouble that can also cause gaping, more so if she exerts herself.

Is a vet an option? Whatever the reason her symptoms are serious, some things can’t be fixed but some can possibly be treated.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Im so sorry!
A swollen abdomen could be ascites. Typically ascites are a symptom of heart failure but it can be a result of other organ failure/dysfunction, infection, or a serious reproductive issue.
The buildup in fluid is probably pushing on her lungs and airsacks, of the heart is having trouble that can also cause gaping, more so if she exerts herself.

Is a vet an option? Whatever the reason her symptoms are serious, some things can’t be fixed but some can possibly be treated.

Thank you so much! I thought of Ascites, but would that be more the front of her belly? Like, under her crop? This girl is swollen behind her legs.

Unfortunately a vet isn’t an option…we live super rurally with a chronic deficiency in all things vet related! The nearest farm vet is about 3 hours away, and he doesn’t even treat chickens….

Anything I can do for this poor little hen?

 

[Goosebaby]

Ascites fluid builds up in the lower abdomen because gravity pulls it there, treatment really depends on the cause but usually the fluid is drained. Sometimes chronic kidney problems can cause it and draining the fluid is a periodic thing that can be done every few weeks to months depending on how fast the buildup is. I’ve heard of a few instances where a hen lived years with the condition so long as her fluid was periodically drained.
I have a gander who has it as a result of something wrong with his pancreas and so far he’s had it for about five years now.

For heart failure draining relieves pressure and can help extend life but overall that’s a very poor prognosis. In my experience with another gander who had it as a result of heart failure he lived only four months from when the fluid accumulation started.

For a reproductive infection prognosis is guarded to poor. She’ll probably require antibiotics if she has an infection in the oviduct or coelomic cavity but the source of the issue has to be addressed, if she’s been internally laying, has a tumor, whatever the cause she may need surgical intervention. Sometimes hens can have their oviduct removed but they’ll require a suprelorin implant to suppress egg creation because just removing the ovaries themselves is a very dangerous procedure and usually isn’t done, unfortunately the implants aren’t permanent, they have to be replaced.

If it’s a virus like mareks it causes tumors to form throughout the body, with it and heart failure the best you can do is keep them comfortable and let them know that they are safe and loved.

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive probably has better advice than I do.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Ascites fluid builds up in the lower abdomen because gravity pulls it there, treatment really depends on the cause but usually the fluid is drained. Sometimes chronic kidney problems can cause it and draining the fluid is a periodic thing that can be done every few weeks to months depending on how fast the buildup is. I’ve heard of a few instances where a hen lived years with the condition so long as her fluid was periodically drained.
I have a gander who has it as a result of something wrong with his pancreas and so far he’s had it for about five years now.

For heart failure draining relieves pressure and can help extend life but overall that’s a very poor prognosis. In my experience with another gander who had it as a result of heart failure he lived only four months from when the fluid accumulation started.

For a reproductive infection prognosis is guarded to poor. She’ll probably require antibiotics if she has an infection in the oviduct or coelomic cavity but the source of the issue has to be addressed, if she’s been internally laying, has a tumor, whatever the cause she may need surgical intervention. Sometimes hens can have their oviduct removed but they’ll require a suprelorin implant to suppress egg creation because just removing the ovaries themselves is a very dangerous procedure and usually isn’t done, unfortunately the implants aren’t permanent, they have to be replaced.

If it’s a virus like mareks it causes tumors to form throughout the body, with it and heart failure the best you can do is keep them comfortable and let them know that they are safe and loved.

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive probably has better advice than I do.

Thank you so much! I really really appreciate your help. How would I go about draining it?

 

[Goosebaby]

Thank you so much! I really really appreciate your help. How would I go about draining it?

Milk thistle, denamarin, lemon juice are supplements that can also help with liver and pancreatic problems, hawthorn and vitamin C can strengthen the heart also.