Help, Lethargic Chicken with Red/Warm/Molting Patch Below Vent

[dnascimento]

Hello,
My Rhode Island Red, Scar Face, is 4 yrs old and she stopped laying about 8 months ago or so.
She had some pasty feathers around her vent today and I noticed she is walking very slowly and not herself. She was trying to poop at lot at one point with nothing coming out. So I washed her vent and below her vent in warm soapy water and did a vent "inspection" with an olive oiled finger and didn't feel anything. (Admittedly I'm not sure exactly what I'm doing.) The area below her vent is red and warm to the touch (like an internal infection or something). I attached some pictures.
She is still eating a bit and drinking, but again walking very slowly, not moving much and starting to fall asleep where she is standing. I'm worried.
My other chickens appear fine and normal.
Any thoughts out there what I can do? Thank you much!

 

[sylviethecochin]

That looks very swollen. Does it feel like a water balloon?

 

[dnascimento]

That looks very swollen. Does it feel like a water balloon?

Thanks for the reply! I wasn't sure so I checked again, and yes, it does feel squishy like a water balloon! What do you think?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Thanks for the reply! I wasn't sure so I checked again, and yes, it does feel squishy like a water balloon! What do you think?

Sorry--had things to do.

I believe your hen has ascites. Ascites is when fluid leaks into the peritoneal cavity, and starts to compress the organs. It can have a number of causes, so if a vet's a diagnosis option, you should probably go, but the "quick fix" for this particular symptom is to use a wide-gauge needle to drain the fluid from the cavity. There are some videos on youtube.

 

[dnascimento]

Sorry--had things to do.

I believe your hen has ascites. Ascites is when fluid leaks into the peritoneal cavity, and starts to compress the organs. It can have a number of causes, so if a vet's a diagnosis option, you should probably go, but the "quick fix" for this particular symptom is to use a wide-gauge needle to drain the fluid from the cavity. There are some videos on youtube.

Thank you so much! I'm trying to track down a 14 gauge needle and syringe. Talking to a vet this afternoon.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Thank you so much! I'm trying to track down a 14 gauge needle and syringe. Talking to a vet this afternoon.

So how's the hen doing?

 

[dnascimento]

So how's the hen doing?

Well she is doing ok. Monday I had to track down a needle and syringe. And Monday night, my fiancee and I (after a few pokes to get it right), drained 3 cups worth of fluid from her abdominal cavity. 3 cups!! Yesterday she was still walking slowly, but seemed a little better. This morning she is also still walking slowly. But she looks better. I've been feeding her (and the other hens) warm oatmeal in the morning with some herbs in it. She does eat but not enthusiastically like she used to and like the others. I'll be keeping an eye on her to see how soon the liquid comes back, and keep draining it as long as it makes sense. I don't want her to suffer. If you have any other thoughts on post care, please let me know. Appreciate your help!

 

[Eggcessive]

Was the fluid yellow, or was it clear and colorless?

 

[dnascimento]

Was the fluid yellow, or was it clear and colorless?

The fluid was yellow. We also saw a few tiny chunks of tissue or something that made it through the needle. Maybe like 4 or 5 tiny pieces. The tissue was white in color.

 

[dnascimento]

The fluid was yellow. We also saw a few tiny chunks of tissue or something that made it through the needle. Maybe like 4 or 5 tiny pieces. The tissue was white in color.

She doesn't seem to be doing better. Should she be better by now? It's been 2.5 days since we drained the yellow fluid. Her skin is still quite red and sensitive to touch on her belly where her feathers have molted. Just wondering if there are any other thoughts out there. Thanks!!