Help! My Cochin hen has some sort of abscess? Idk what it is. It’s below the vent and huge!

[CrazyChickenLady35]

How cold is it where you live? Could she have suffered some frostbite to her toe last year? How old is she? It could be a feather cyst. If it was, there would be a feather underneath it. But being located under the vent I would be cautious about exploring it. Here is some reading about feather cysts:
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feather-cysts-in-birds

we live in florida, so no way it could be frostbite. i only got her a few months ago. i’m still in regular contact with her previous owner and she says that she’s 2 years old.

 

[Eggcessive]

She may have lost the toe tip at her previous home. Most of the time it is from frostbite, but the toe could have been crushed, or it could be from tearing off her nail previously. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, since she can make do with the missing part.

 

[redinator]

I’m going to attempt to drain it with a needle tonight. I will update you guys with what happens and her outcome in case anyone else encounters the same issue.

Make sure the needle is sterile and Good luck!!

Also have some sort of ointment handy to prevent infection. Maybe someone can recommended a good option. I'm new to all this chicken raising stuff myself.

 

[CrazyChickenLady35]

Update! Over the last few months the lump has gotten bigger and bigger, and today I decided to investigate again. Previously it was small and hard, about the size of a golfball. Now it’s roughly the size of a tennis ball, maybe a tad smaller. It is also soft and squishy now, so I decided to try again with a needle. Last time nothing came out except for air, but this time pus? I think?? Came out, along with a little blood when the needles was removed. It came bubbling out so there could be air in there too? I filled the whole syringe 2 1/2 ish times before stopping due to her being antsy and trying to get away because she doesn’t like being restrained. It didn’t smell bad from what I could tell and she didn’t really react to me poking her with the needle repeatedly. Does anyone know if it’s an infection, abscess, cyst, or something else? There’s definitely more liquid in there. Should I lance it with a sterilized razor blade and keep her in a clean, dry, space for a few days? Thanks! Pictures below.

 

[Eggcessive]

I still think that it is a hernia, but now may have infection. The air sounds like there is an air sac close to the puncture sight and you may have drained some air with the cloudy yellow liquid. It is probably abdominal contents and probably evidence of egg yolk peritonitis. That is just my guess. Did it get smaller when you drained it? Does she seem to be having any labored breathing or discomfort? I’m going to tag @Wyorp Rock , @coach723 , and. @azygous for any thoughts. If you lose at some point I would either do a home necropsy or ask your state vet lab pathologist to do a professional necropsy where they can give you a diagnosis and thorough description of what they see.

 

[CrazyChickenLady35]

I still think that it is a hernia, but now may have infection. The air sounds like there is an air sac close to the puncture sight and you may have drained some air with the cloudy yellow liquid. It is probably abdominal contents and probably evidence of egg yolk peritonitis. That is just my guess. Does she seem to be having any labored breathing or discomfort? I’m going to tag @Wyorp Rock , @coach723 , and. @azygous for any thoughts. If you lose at some point I would either do a home necropsy or ask your state vet lab pathologist to do a professional necropsy where they can give you a diagnosis and thorough description of what they see.

It doesn’t seem to bother her at all. I’m going to look more into hernias and try to figure out what it is but I’ll take as many opinions as I can get. I appreciate all the help

 

[coach723]

Considering what came out, I would lean toward it being a hernia as well. If you gently push it in will it go in? If it's a hernia, and it's getting larger, then there would be risk of it becoming a strangulated hernia, which could be fatal. A hernia would also possibly get larger from her straining to lay an egg, is she still laying?
More on hernia's here:
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/hernia

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I still think that it is a hernia, but now may have infection. The air sounds like there is an air sac close to the puncture sight and you may have drained some air with the cloudy yellow liquid. It is probably abdominal contents and probably evidence of egg yolk peritonitis. That is just my guess. Did it get smaller when you drained it? Does she seem to be having any labored breathing or discomfort? I’m going to tag @Wyorp Rock , @coach723 , and. @azygous for any thoughts. If you lose at some point I would either do a home necropsy or ask your state vet lab pathologist to do a professional necropsy where they can give you a diagnosis and thorough description of what they see.

I agree.