If she actually has ascites (fluid) then she has an underlying cause- in a chicken either heart failure or severe liver disease- neither has a long term good outcome, even if you remove the fluid. It will come back again. Removing the fluid may help her breath more easily, but it is not a cure. If you actually put a needle into the body cavity, and were unable to remove any fluid- one of the following applies- 1) either your needle was too small (what size do you have? as you mentioned buying the smallest you could find, and actually for removing ascites- BIGGER needles are better) 2) You didn't put the needle into a fluid pocket- which is possible, but from the photo- her body wall is so distended, that putting a needle into a fluid pocket should be easy. 3) If your needle is small and short, you may have stuck it into the skin only. 4) She does not have ascites- and she has some other disease process like yolk peritonitis, tumors, fatty liver, ect. Sadly, none of these have good outcomes either.
Short term- she is uncomfortable, long term- none of the problems that can cause such a distended belly in a relatively young bird have a good long term outcome. Bringing her to a vet for just a consult should NOT cost 100$, and they can tell you if it is ascites vs tissue easily. Then you can make a decision about her based on more information.
Short term- she is uncomfortable, long term- none of the problems that can cause such a distended belly in a relatively young bird have a good long term outcome. Bringing her to a vet for just a consult should NOT cost 100$, and they can tell you if it is ascites vs tissue easily. Then you can make a decision about her based on more information.
