HELP!!! Chicken swollen abdomen!

[DianeB]

Hi

I have a hen Lucy that is about 23 weeks. She has not started laying. (My other hens started to lay about 3 weeks ago, without any problems.) Lucy's abdomen is swollen, her poop is runny, she has been drinking alot, barely eating and seems to always want to sleep. Also, her wings are spread out and she seems to blank out. I caught her earlier today standing on the side of the house staring into space. This came on quickly yesterday and has slowly become worse today.

Today, I took her to the vet. There was nothing that she could see on the x-ray and Lucy had no other signs of distress. Her comb and wattles and eyes are still bright and no pasty rear-end. All the vet did was give her a pain shot and told be to call her tomorrow if she does not improve.

She hardly looked at my bird. I know there is something seriously wrong with her. Does anyone have any experience with this problem or some advice on were I can take her to get help?

Thank You

 

[purpletree23]

What did the vet say about her swollen abdomen?

 

[DianeB]

She didn't say much, except that she thought it might be gas. She didn't give her an anti-biotic (for possible blockage) or anti-inflamitory. The vet was more preoccupied with arguing about the sex of my hen. She thinks that only roosters can have large combs. (I have experience with a mis-sexed rooster. Lucy is definately not a rooster. ) I had to convience her to take a stool sample. Honestly, I don't think she knows much about avians, let alone chickens.

BTW my chicken seems to now have perception problems. I handed her an earthworm to tried to eat. She couldn't grasp it properly to try to swollow it. Also, she has lost weight. This could be due to a recent growth spert.

DB

 

[Fergie]

She's just about laying age. Maybe she's got egg yolk peridontitis....? I've got a hen with that right now, and she looks pretty good physically until you feel her abdomen, which feels like she's got a water balloon in there.

p.s. Sounds like your vet isn't very experienced with chickens.....!

 

[DianeB]

Unfortunately, my little Lucy died two hours ago. I plan to take her remains to a vet to see what went wrong.

Thank you for your help
DB

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

oh geez - i'm really sorry to hear.

good luck

 

[DianeB]

Thank you

I just recieved a call from the UC extension office. She had very large ovarian tumors. He said it is very rare and there was nothing I could have done. Fortunately, my other chickens will not be effected.

I still miss her very much!!!

DB