Cinnaminute
Songster
Hi, in my experience with ascites (an EE hen named Cleo, who lasted a little over a year after she first filled up with fluid), when poking them (18 gauge needle) and letting them drain on their own, they almost always end up leaking all of the fluid out over the course of just 6-24 hours. That always made my hen get very sick (shock I assume). She'd stop eating, comb would turn purplish and fall over, and she'd be miserable for 3-7 days before getting over it. I only had to drain her in the summer months, between May and August, so it was worth it for her to have a happy time during fall, winter, and spring.
She passed away this July after a draining and I haven't forgiven myself for it (more info below). I have another hen, an RIR named Marcy, who started getting ascites this year. I want to avoid her going into shock since it looks like I'll have to drain her (this is the 3rd time she's filled and the worst - her comb is falling over and purplish, she's barely walking). Which is why I'm asking about something I can put on her to stop the drip once she's relieved of some of the fluid. Thanks for any help!
P.S. I'm going to try an epsom salt bath prior to draining. I also have access to meloxicam (1.5mg/ml), prescribed to my ferret for his spine injury. I've got more than enough so I can always offer some to Marcy to help with any pain, if you all think it's worth it. Otherwise I have aspirin on hand too.
--Extra Info--
Cleo passed after the 6th-ish time she had to be drained (drained June 24th and passed away July 6th). She was 3 years old. I regret that draining. She was so swollen it looked like she could barely poop, there was tons of pressure on her vent. She had to stand sideways just to scratch at the ground. But she was active, eating, happy, foraging. I feel I should've let her be and died on her own, if she was going to. Instead, she leaked all the fluid out, was icky for 7 days, and didn't bounce back. She lost weight and was already too skinny. Then she couldn't stand. I force fed her and she perked up enough to eat on her own. Comb was proper red and standing up again. She could manage to stand to poop and then lay back down. I thought she was coming around. But the next day she only slept. Stopped pooping entirely. She was dying and I had to let her go. I feel I stripped her of her last happy days and it's haunted me ever since...
Marcy started getting ascites this year after going on a random soft-shelling spree that no amount of calcium helped with. The last thing she laid was a plain full yellow yolk all by itself with maybe a little white. She swelled up twice already (this is the third time). I've refused to drain her due to my bad experience. I've kept her on milk thistle nearly daily. She just molted (her first molt despite the fact that she turns 3 years old in February) and looks gorgeous. She eats great, good weight on her. But she's become absolutely miserable the past few days. Comb is purplish and falling over. She won't forage or walk around. Just stands there or lays there in her hiding spot. She ate just last night, but her crop is full this morning (though she did have food available so she might've eaten some more this morning). She's pooping, but has it stuck on her feathers, likely do to being unable to position herself properly to poop. I don't see her at risk of dying soon (minus the ascites buildup) and draining her seems worthwhile to give her relief. I'm scared to do so, but I'm going to since her comfort matters more than whatever trauma I have. But I want to avoid the worst case scenario if possible.
She passed away this July after a draining and I haven't forgiven myself for it (more info below). I have another hen, an RIR named Marcy, who started getting ascites this year. I want to avoid her going into shock since it looks like I'll have to drain her (this is the 3rd time she's filled and the worst - her comb is falling over and purplish, she's barely walking). Which is why I'm asking about something I can put on her to stop the drip once she's relieved of some of the fluid. Thanks for any help!
P.S. I'm going to try an epsom salt bath prior to draining. I also have access to meloxicam (1.5mg/ml), prescribed to my ferret for his spine injury. I've got more than enough so I can always offer some to Marcy to help with any pain, if you all think it's worth it. Otherwise I have aspirin on hand too.
--Extra Info--
Cleo passed after the 6th-ish time she had to be drained (drained June 24th and passed away July 6th). She was 3 years old. I regret that draining. She was so swollen it looked like she could barely poop, there was tons of pressure on her vent. She had to stand sideways just to scratch at the ground. But she was active, eating, happy, foraging. I feel I should've let her be and died on her own, if she was going to. Instead, she leaked all the fluid out, was icky for 7 days, and didn't bounce back. She lost weight and was already too skinny. Then she couldn't stand. I force fed her and she perked up enough to eat on her own. Comb was proper red and standing up again. She could manage to stand to poop and then lay back down. I thought she was coming around. But the next day she only slept. Stopped pooping entirely. She was dying and I had to let her go. I feel I stripped her of her last happy days and it's haunted me ever since...
Marcy started getting ascites this year after going on a random soft-shelling spree that no amount of calcium helped with. The last thing she laid was a plain full yellow yolk all by itself with maybe a little white. She swelled up twice already (this is the third time). I've refused to drain her due to my bad experience. I've kept her on milk thistle nearly daily. She just molted (her first molt despite the fact that she turns 3 years old in February) and looks gorgeous. She eats great, good weight on her. But she's become absolutely miserable the past few days. Comb is purplish and falling over. She won't forage or walk around. Just stands there or lays there in her hiding spot. She ate just last night, but her crop is full this morning (though she did have food available so she might've eaten some more this morning). She's pooping, but has it stuck on her feathers, likely do to being unable to position herself properly to poop. I don't see her at risk of dying soon (minus the ascites buildup) and draining her seems worthwhile to give her relief. I'm scared to do so, but I'm going to since her comfort matters more than whatever trauma I have. But I want to avoid the worst case scenario if possible.
