Hen Vent Trauma

[Toffael]

I’m seeking urgent advice and treatment for my 2-year-old Plymouth Rock hen.

She experienced a laying-related trauma 4 days ago, likely due to a soft-shelled egg. She became lethargic, passed bloody mucus from the vent, and was showing signs of exhaustion and straining. I provided isolation, warmth, supportive feeding (including vitamins and calcium), and two Epsom salt baths to help soothe the vent.

She has since improved in energy, appetite, and mobility, and even laid a properly formed egg yesterday. However, today her vent area is still very inflamed and raw, and I’ve observed:

• Scabbing and exposed red tissue around the upper vent
• White-yellow discharge, possibly pus or residual egg material
• Mild vent pulsating and continued discomfort

She is currently isolated, eating well, and alert — but I’m very concerned this could be infection, prolapse, or retained egg tissue.

I’ve attached a clear photo of the vent area taken today. Could you please advise urgently on examination and appropriate treatment? I suspect she may need antibiotics (e.g. Baytril, Synulox) and anti-inflammatories (e.g. meloxicam), or further internal care.

Thank you very much for your help

 

[Eggcessive]

Her vent looks to be prolapsed, and she may have been pecked due to the red color. Keep it from drying out with ointment, honey, or cream. Vaseline, hemorrhoid cream, are okay. A daily warm soak in soapy water or Epsom salts water would keep her clean after passing droppings, and help healing until swelling decreases, and the cloaca can be pushed back inside. I would consider giving her a human calcium tablet with vitamin D 300 to 600 mg daily for the next 7 days. A prolapse can occur if the hen strains to lay, and others may be attracted tp peck due to the red color.

 

[Toffael]

Her vent looks to be prolapsed, and she may have been pecked due to the red color. Keep it from drying out with ointment, honey, or cream. Vaseline, hemorrhoid cream, are okay. A daily warm soak in soapy water or Epsom salts water would keep her clean after passing droppings, and help healing until swelling decreases, and the cloaca can be pushed back inside. I would consider giving her a human calcium tablet with vitamin D 300 to 600 mg daily for the next 7 days. A prolapse can occur if the hen strains to lay, and others may be attracted tp peck due to the red color.

many thanks.

She still active, eating and drinking, standing and moving about, albeit slower than normal.

do i have to push the clocoa inside or will that happen naturally?

so you think she can make a full recovery? if not and she’s suffering badly, i’m prepared to humanely cull her, as i don’t want her to suffer.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can try pushing it in, but it may come back out when she strains. That can be normal for a few days. Keep her separated so she is not pecked, and keep her away from flies. Let us know how she does. Read this:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/

 

[Toffael]

You can try pushing it in, but it may come back out when she strains. That can be normal for a few days. Keep her separated so she is not pecked, and keep her away from flies. Let us know how she does. Read this:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/

Thanks
would anti biotics or painkillers help her?
i have vet grade amoxicillin Tryhydrate and metronidazole 2000mg

 

[Toffael]

yesterday I gave 1/10 of 500mg amoxicillin tablet (via syringe as 1.5ml liquid) and also applied honey/turmeric blend on vent (as didn’t have vetericyn that just arrived this morning)

and this morning gave 1 calcium tablet and vitamin drops mixed into small amount of rice peas and chick crumb (she at all of it.)

3 photos show 4 days ago, yesterday and just now

i let her free range with flock for 90 mins keeping a close eye to make sure she wasn’t pecked and she was moving freely, eating and also pecking at lower ranking birds when they came too close. she was also preening. Not fully active but 75% compared to healthy hens.

I sprayed with vetercyn this afternoon.

it’s now 8pm. I’ve just given a dose of amoxicillin orally via liquid in syringe , washed vent, applied sugar and washed 3 times, and then sprayed with vetericyn.

seems like the amoxicillin aspirin and honey were game changers

hopefully the vetericyn should complete the job?

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks good, but I would keep her separated unless you remain with her.