Unfortunately as you are aware the prognosis is not good. The vet may have misdiagnosed this a little bit. What he is describing is more likely to be internal laying. This is where egg yolks released from the ovary each day, fail to travel into the oviduct to develop into eggs as we know them, and instead drop into the abdominal cavity where they float around in amongst the intestines and other internal organs. Unfortunately there is no exit route from there unless they miraculously float up to the entrance to the oviduct and find their way down the correct passage. The chances of one yolk doing this are very slim, the chances of more than one managing to exit via such a route are probably less than winning the lotto. That said, those egg yolks can sometimes sit in the abdomen quite benignly for months. Sometimes they become infected (Egg Yolk Peritonitis) and the bird gets sick. Sometimes the mass of yolks from months and months of internal laying bloats the belly to such an extent the bird's hips and legs get pushed apart and the bird waddles with a wide stance. Some become lame as the mass presses on the sciatic nerve. Eventually the mass causes respiratory distress and/or digestive tract failure. It is a very common ailment in laying hens.
Unfortunately, even if you had spotted it sooner, there is little that can be done except expensive hormonal implants to prevent the bird ovulating. These need to be replaced every 3-6 months to prevent the problem from getting worse and is a huge financial undertaking with no absolute guarantee of success. Usually $100-150 a shot.
Egg binding is where a fully formed egg (yolk, white and usually shell) gets stuck near/in the cloaca and the bird cannot poop. That causes death due to a build up of toxins in the body in a matter of a few days, unless the egg comes out. The egg can be felt by inserting a gloved finger gently into the vent a short distance. The egg is suspended high up in the body behind the vent and you would not feel it down in the hen's belly near the thigh which is why I think internal laying is more likely. Actually, hormonal implants could still work if the bird is still eating and able to pass some waste if you wanted to try that. Superlorin is the name of the implant, but it would need to be done through the vet.
Does it feel like there may be some fluid in the lower part of her belly? If so, draining it out can give significant short term relief. Combined with a hormonal implant it could buy her more time, but they can also go into shock if there is a lot of fluid and it is removed too quickly. I know it is difficult to weigh up all the options and figure out what is best for her as vets visits and procedures are also stressful. Not suggesting you have to follow up any of these options but just laying them out there. I do not have the funds to seek veterinary treatment for my hens, so I learn as much as I can and do the best that I can at home to make them comfortable and end it for them when there is no hope.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I know the heart break it causes.
Unfortunately, even if you had spotted it sooner, there is little that can be done except expensive hormonal implants to prevent the bird ovulating. These need to be replaced every 3-6 months to prevent the problem from getting worse and is a huge financial undertaking with no absolute guarantee of success. Usually $100-150 a shot.
Egg binding is where a fully formed egg (yolk, white and usually shell) gets stuck near/in the cloaca and the bird cannot poop. That causes death due to a build up of toxins in the body in a matter of a few days, unless the egg comes out. The egg can be felt by inserting a gloved finger gently into the vent a short distance. The egg is suspended high up in the body behind the vent and you would not feel it down in the hen's belly near the thigh which is why I think internal laying is more likely. Actually, hormonal implants could still work if the bird is still eating and able to pass some waste if you wanted to try that. Superlorin is the name of the implant, but it would need to be done through the vet.
Does it feel like there may be some fluid in the lower part of her belly? If so, draining it out can give significant short term relief. Combined with a hormonal implant it could buy her more time, but they can also go into shock if there is a lot of fluid and it is removed too quickly. I know it is difficult to weigh up all the options and figure out what is best for her as vets visits and procedures are also stressful. Not suggesting you have to follow up any of these options but just laying them out there. I do not have the funds to seek veterinary treatment for my hens, so I learn as much as I can and do the best that I can at home to make them comfortable and end it for them when there is no hope.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I know the heart break it causes.
