Help - French Hen bottom issue

[RoosterOnWatch]

Hi guys, my French Hen (4 years old) wasn't eating as much as she usually does and was acting quite withdrawn. Her bottom had a lot of poo on it and I discovered what is pictured below. I'm not sure if she's trying to push it out or if it is part of her cloaca.

She's currently being bathed in warm water.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a prolapsed cloaca. It needs to be kept moist and not dry out, with honey, or a mild oil, ointment or cream. It can takes days up to a week for the prolapse to be able to be pushed back inside and stay. Keep her separated from others in a crate with food and water, to keep her vent from being pecked and injured.

 

[RoosterOnWatch]

That is a prolapsed cloaca. It needs to be kept moist and not dry out, with honey, or a mild oil, ointment or cream. It can takes days up to a week for the prolapse to be able to be pushed back inside and stay. Keep her separated from others in a crate with food and water, to keep her vent from being pecked and injured.

Hi, thank you so much for the info. I'm taking her to the vet today. Is the prolapsed vent injured at all judging by the picture?

 

[RoosterOnWatch]

Ok, the vet managed to fit the prolapsed cloaca back in, she said it prolapsed again afterwards, and I've taken her home and it prolapsed again. They said they used a glucose solution on the prolapsed cloaca, any ideas how I could make an equivalent version? I tried early to put it back in myself but found it very difficult (nobody would help hold her for me)

I saw a post on this website as well where someone was successful using a bandage to hold it in place but still allowing poo to come out, I will most likely do this.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can coat the prolapse with honey, or make a paste of sugar plus a couple of drops of water. That works the same as glucose to help reduce swelling. But keep the prolapse from drying out until it stays in. It sometimes takes a week or so to stay in. If the prolapse dries out, it can become necrotic or dead.

 

[RoosterOnWatch]

You can coat the prolapse with honey, or make a paste of sugar plus a couple of drops of water. That works the same as glucose to help reduce swelling. But keep the prolapse from drying out until it stays in. It sometimes takes a week or so to stay in. If the prolapse dries out, it can become necrotic or dead.

Thanks, how often should I apply this?

 

[Eggcessive]

Around the clock would be best, but you could apply an ointment at night before going to bed. I have never applied honey to a vent, but I would think it would need to be applied every 3 hours or so, to keep the tissue moist, and prevent it drying out. The sugar or honey works by osmotic pressure to reduce swelling, while the ointment or oil just keep it from drying out. People also sometimes use hemorrhoid cream or hydrocortisone cream for prolapses. You might want to read this article about prolapse causes:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/

 

[RoosterOnWatch]

Just an update if anyone is curious, I applied hydrocortisone twice or three times a day, cleaning the prolapsed cloaca with warm sterile water as much as possible. After 3-4 days, to my absolutely surprise, the prolapsed cloaca went back to normal all by itself. She's been fully introduced back into the flock (other than the rooster, who I'm worried might be harsh on her, he's quite big) and everything has been well.

Thank you for the help.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for the update and glad to hear that her prolapse has healed and is staying in.