HELP! Young hen seems to be egg bound AND has prolapse?

[courtneyq]

Please help! I have a young Buff Orpington, around five months old, not yet laying, and the picture of health until now. This morning I noticed her straining, and her poo was kind of clear with perhaps a drop of blood, so I picked her up and checked her vent and felt her abdomen and everything looked and felt fine. I thought maybe she needed worming so watched her close today and read on the forum here. Later she went into the coop to rest. This afternoon she came out and I saw her straining to poo, and I could see the red of her vent. I picked her up and it is sticking out pretty far. I've felt around, and it is hard--there seems to be a full egg hanging out inside the red tissue. Poor thing! I've brought her in and put Preparation H on it and am going to search the boards here for more advice. What are the best ways I can help her right now? She is making the most pitiable noises. Thank you!!!!

 

[courtneyq]

I've tried Preparation H, pushing carefully back in twice, but she keeps pushing out. I bathed her, blew her dry on low but warm temp. Gave her heating pad and scrambled egg with olive oil and cheese, yogurt, and crushed Tums, but she's not touching it. Called local vet school, and they'll charge over $500 at least, and I just can't afford it. Any tips on how to give her comfort?

 

[coffeelady3]

First, let me preface this by saying I'm NO expert! That being said, I would think that you would want to treat for the egg bound condition before the prolapsed vent. Anything you do for the prolapse is going to make passing the egg that much more difficult. I would separate her from the others, to prevent pecking, keep her in a dark area, to inhibit further egg production, and soak her bottom in warm water throughout the day, to get her to relax those muscles making it easier to pass the egg. Once the egg is out, then I would start with the Preparation H to try and get the vent to prolapse to stay put.

Good luck!

 

[courtneyq]

Thanks for the support. I gave her Tums with yogurt and tried another hot bath, but she didn't find it soothing. I managed to get a vet appointment this morning. Apparently the egg was not coming through a natural path, and though surgery to cut it out was possible, there wasn't a hopeful prognosis, and there was already some necrosis on the prolapsed tissue. So I was sad to do it, but I had him put her to sleep. She was just a young little hen with a very sweet disposition, and I am sad to say good-bye.

 

[magsrags]

You did all a that you could and more. My condolences.

 

[coffeelady3]

I'm sorry you lost her. I know that's always a hard decision to make.

 

[BabyGirls]

I am so sorry for your little one and for you. I know it can be difficult to put them down and I am going through the possiblity of doing the same thing now. My heart goes out to you but you did what you could to make her last days more comfortable.

 

[courtneyq]

Thanks to everyone for your kind wishes and support--it means a great deal. I'll miss that sweet little chicken, but I think I did all I could do, and I don't think she suffered too long.