Help with EYP or Ascites?

[speckledhen]

My NHR died the beginning of this year. After reading and reading threads and posts. I believe she died from EYP. All sya proms were the same. Except I did not catch the water belly. I am the same way worrying about every little hint!

They do not always have the bloat, though. Some of mine never bloated at all, just began losing weight, quit laying and became progressively weak. Upon internal post-mortem examination, they'd have masses of cheesy mess inside of them, but you often couldn't feel it from the outside. So, don't beat yourself up about missing signs. There may not have been many. The first hen I had who died from EYP had no signs, just was lethargic one day, sitting in the shade on a cold day, which alerted me. I picked her up, examined her and could find nothing wrong. Next day, she was just gone, loose yolk all in her abdomen when we looked in there.

 

[kevinmaysie]

They do not always have the bloat, though. Some of mine never bloated at all, just began losing weight, quit laying and became progressively weak. Upon internal post-mortem examination, they'd have masses of cheesy mess inside of them, but you often couldn't feel it from the outside. So, don't beat yourself up about missing signs. There may not have been many. The first hen I had who died from EYP had no signs, just was lethargic one day, sitting in the shade on a cold day, which alerted me. I picked her up, examined her and could find nothing wrong. Next day, she was just gone, loose yolk all in her abdomen when we looked in there.

Thank you! Def learn something new.

 

[kevinmaysie]

I agree with Micstrahan in that I would not withdraw so much fluid without vet care. When you are draining so much fluid it helps relieve pressure, but you are making her shocky and weak. The electrolytes are good though. You cannot cure her condition whether it is egg yolk peritonitis, internal laying, cancer, or ascites from heart failure or as a secondary symptom of reproductive disease.

Speckledhen has a ton of experience with this, and she is an expert on these conditions. I would tend to make her as comfortable as possible, offer foods she likes, and if she appears to be suffering, put her down. Antibiotics probably won’t help at this point, but that is up to you. These disorders are just so common in todays high production egg layers from hatcheries. It always hurts to lose one or have to put one down, but best not to let them suffer. Sorry that you are dealing with this.

Thank you for your advice. I have drained her a few times like every other day but stops when the syringe starts to restrict. It seems to help with the breathing. I am aware that it could cause them to get septic so I’m very careful not draw out too much. Def I want to try anything to help her feel comfortable. So I started her on penicillin which today is Day 2. But I may be too late since it’s Day 6 since we’ve found her. At this point I just want to at least finish the round of antibiotic, make her feel comfortable and definitely give good that she will eat. I brought her inside the house since it is hot where I am. She was panting when I got home. Gave her a little wash and now breathing normal again. I am preparing myself for the worst. I definitely learned a lot about my hen. I have another 2 same as her. So I will be watching out for them. Thank you again for your advice and sympathy. It is hard after loosing one not knowing what happened, harder knowing One is suffering.

 

[kevinmaysie]

They do not always have the bloat, though. Some of mine never bloated at all, just began losing weight, quit laying and became progressively weak. Upon internal post-mortem examination, they'd have masses of cheesy mess inside of them, but you often couldn't feel it from the outside. So, don't beat yourself up about missing signs. There may not have been many. The first hen I had who died from EYP had no signs, just was lethargic one day, sitting in the shade on a cold day, which alerted me. I picked her up, examined her and could find nothing wrong. Next day, she was just gone, loose yolk all in her abdomen when we looked in there.

Now I also know not to get any hybrids or production reds. I still have another 2 that are her sisters. I will be watching them closely.

 

[kevinmaysie]

This is one reason we see this so frequently.

From the article:

http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v13/n6/full/nrc3535.html?foxtrotcallback=true

Thank you for this! I am new and trying to figure how to navigate the site. I just now read this

 

[kevinmaysie]

Thank you for this! I am new and trying to figure how to navigate the site. I just now read this

Hello I was wondering if you can tell me if work could cause ascites? After day 3 of antibiotic she pooped and I saw roundworm. Is it possible it’s not EYP? I always check their poop and never seen worm but now. She only poop 2x a day since I brought her in a few days ago. Today was the first time there’s round worm. So I treated her right away with ivermectin paste. I really appreciate your time.

 

[kevinmaysie]

I've only had one hen to rally several times, even begin laying again briefly, then die soon afterward. If you read here, Ivy in June that year had rallied after penicillin therapy, then by August, she was way down and it was close to the end for her. We drained her numerous times. She is the only one who ever recovered enough to lay an egg again, but it killed her anyway.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-ivy-latest-relapse-shes-gone.195347/
Ivy was a hatchery Barred Rock hen. Her "sister" died at 5 years old of reproductive cancer. It seems the ones who live to that age have cancer, with maybe a few small cheesy masses inside from internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis, while the ones who die from 2-3 years of age are the EYP/internal layers with huge masses of cooked infection and yolks in the oviducts and abdomen. You really get an education when you take a deep breath and open up that abdomen to see what happened.
I no longer drain hens unless there is a specific reason, like they are literally dragging their belly and their legs are splayed out, hindering walking. It never really helps beyond making them slightly more comfortable. Thankfully, I've not had to really think about that in years. Some very old hens may bloat slightly, then their bodies take care of it on their own, but those are my 9 and 10 year old hens and their time is close anyway.

Hello! I’m not sure if I posted on a right one earlier. I was just wondering if you know of roundworms causing ascites? Is it possible it is not EYP? I always check everyone’s poops including our goats and never seen any. Since I brought our hen in shenonly poop 2x a day. But today on day 3 of antibiotic she pooped and it has a roundworm. I know her poop does have the sticky yellowish that looks like yolk. So I’m baffled could it be EYP but now roundworm too? I really appreciate your time.

 

[speckledhen]

Hello! I’m not sure if I posted on a right one earlier. I was just wondering if you know of roundworms causing ascites? Is it possible it is not EYP? I always check everyone’s poops including our goats and never seen any. Since I brought our hen in shenonly poop 2x a day. But today on day 3 of antibiotic she pooped and it has a roundworm. I know her poop does have the sticky yellowish that looks like yolk. So I’m baffled could it be EYP but now roundworm too? I really appreciate your time.

I'd say no to roundworms causing bloat. More likely, they'd cause extreme weight loss and unthrifty look to her feather quality if she had a big load of them. Yes, she could have worms in addition to EYP, which would make her more susceptible to worm overload, her immune system being down anyway.

 

[kevinmaysie]

I'd say no to roundworms causing bloat. More likely, they'd cause extreme weight loss and unthrifty look to her feather quality if she had a big load of them. Yes, she could have worms in addition to EYP, which would make her more susceptible to worm overload, her immune system being down anyway.

I thought it was just an addition. Thank you. Finding the worm should I treat my whole flock? Thank you again

 

[Kiki]

Agreed: here are some more experienced people: @casportpony @drumstick diva @KikisGirls @speckledhen

I see Speckledhen has posted but I don't see a link to her video (unless I missed it )

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ions-my-youtube-video-graphic-photos.1201052/