Huge swelling on belly, purple comb and labored breathing

[Eclipse3]

This little bantam cochin rooster has been off the last couple of days. He normally crows about every 10 minutes, but I haven't heard him in a couple of days. Yesterday it seemed like his comb was darker and today it's almost purple. I picked him up and he is breathing heavy with an open mouth. His crop is empty. Any ideas of what it may be? There is no mucous or other discharge and no clicking or wheezing noises.

 

[Eclipse3]

I tried to post a video but it wouldn't let me. And his comb definitely looks darker in person.

 

[Eclipse3]

Well crap! I went to check his belly for swelling or anything and found this big rock hard bulge! Now what?

 

[Meandmyhens3]

I hope he’s ok as of now. But with a swelling abdomen and labored breathing, it sounds a lot like Ascites or water belly, which unfortunately is very deadly and the only thing you can do for it is drain the fluid from their abdomen to make them more comfortable until they sadly pass away.

Now I don’t know if it’s definitely water belly but it’s a possibility. On what part of his body is the blockage on? That is unusual to me and I’m not sure what it is.

 

[Eclipse3]

I hope he’s ok as of now. But with a swelling abdomen and labored breathing, it sounds a lot like Ascites or water belly, which unfortunately is very deadly and the only thing you can do for it is drain the fluid from their abdomen to make them more comfortable until they sadly pass away.

Now I don’t know if it’s definitely water belly but it’s a possibility. On what part of his body is the blockage on? That is unusual to me and I’m not sure what it is.

It’s definitely not ascites. There was no swelling or fluid, just this rock hard scabbed up looking lump. It was on his lower abdomen. Not near the vent area. I can’t figure out how to describe it right lol. I’m going to give him a warm soak tomorrow and see what I can do once it’s softened up. I thought maybe it’s an impacted feather cyst. Poor guy. He’s only about 5 months old.

 

[Chicalina]

Maybe this thread will help you
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-is-this-large-hollow-growth.1487721/

 

[Eclipse3]

Maybe this thread will help you
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-is-this-large-hollow-growth.1487721/

Thank you! I actually looked at that thread BEFORE I found the lump, but hadn't actually read through everything to see how it resolved. I'm glad you reminded me to go check!!! I'm about to go soak him now so hopefully he will be ok.

 

[Chicalina]

Thank you! I actually looked at that thread BEFORE I found the lump, but hadn't actually read through everything to see how it resolved. I'm glad you reminded me to go check!!! I'm about to go soak him now so hopefully he will be ok.

Make sure you've got plenty of antibiotic cream before you soak and pick off the lump. You'll need to smother it afterwards in the cream.

 

[Eclipse3]

Make sure you've got plenty of antibiotic cream before you soak and pick off the lump. You'll need to smother it afterwards in

Here's after I cleaned it. Nothing squeezed out, it's still super hard. I packed it with neosporin and he's currently hanging out in my livingroom. Poor guy. He's miserable. Won't even eat mealworms. I've got water with electrolytes for him, anything else you suggest to try?

 

[Chicalina]

A bit of scrambled egg perhaps? It's more important to ensure he is hydrated. If he won't drink, try an oral syringe and drip electrolyte water into the side of his beak.

Do you think it might be a tumour? The flesh looks alive.