I think one of my hens has ascites (very bloated, water balloon-like abdomen), should I try to drain

[OwO]

For at least a week now she has been waddling with her legs much further apart than usual with a very large squishy belly. She stands around a lot not doing much, hunched over, but still eats and drinks when she gets a chance. I am not sure if she is still laying eggs, but I can't feel any eggs when I feel her abdomen. I have researched ascites and I think that is what it is. Should I try to drain her with a needle?

 

[Akrnaf2]

What you are giving here to eat? You should reduce the amount of protein and fats in here food! I would give here to eat for the next few days only grains (Brocken corn,wheat,oats etc.) saturated in water and some shredded vegetable, and estimated here condition then.

 

[OwO]

We are just giving her normal chicken food (pellets and mash with occasional corn)... all of our other chickens are very healthy.

 

[Akrnaf2]

You should keep here on a very restrict diet for the next 3-5 days.

 

[OwO]

Why? Will this help with ascites?

 

[Akrnaf2]

The main cause of Ascites is the failure of the hurt and lungs to supply sufficient oxygen to the bird. In this condition a lot of the bird organs fail from normal working,
Especially the liver. And this failure causes the accumulation of fluid. Because fat need a lot of Oxygen for it metabolism, you need to help your chicken by trying to reduce here need for Oxygen, and that is the reason way I recommended a poor fat diet, I also recommended to reduce the protein in the chicken diet to help here kidneys to work better to gain again the fluid equilibrium that you chicken need so much!

 

[Eggcessive]

Ascites is a chronic condition, and I have never treated it, but it can be a result of heart failure or liver failure, many times secondary to internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis. The outlook is not good. Draining fluid occasionally may make the hen breathe easier and more comfortable. Here is a good thread about draining a hen with ascites, and another that you can search for more threads:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=ascites

 

[Akrnaf2]

I have never said that the chicken have a good prognosis, but if you want to give her a chance you begin by restrict diet and good ventilation! Drainage of the fluids is the last resort! Here in Israel we have a good rate of success treating this condition by restricting the feeding.

 

[casportpony]

Draining the fluid will make her more comfortable, and it's probably what most vets would do. I've done a few and a couple have lived for another six months, but one died while being prepped for draining and a few others lived for a few more weeks. Guess what I'm trying to say is that it's not a cure, but it can make them much more comfortable, but it can kill them.

Here is the hen that died while I was prepping her:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...scites-and-eyp-very-graphic-necropsy-pictures

Here is one that lived another week or two (her cause of death was internal laying and cancer, I think):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-need-of-some-help-and-guidance#post_12770501

If you decide to drain her, do it only if you are 100% sure that the swelling you are seeing is fluid.

-Kathy

 

[OwO]

Thank you everyone. This is all very helpful. I decided to take her to the vets and the vet drained a lot of the liquid (which was yellowish in colour) but he first suggested it could be peritonitis, though now he thinks it is cysts or a liver problem. There is still a lot of fluid left in her as he said he didn't want to drain too much of it. She is eating and drinking completely normally and seems much more comfortable with less liquid - should I get the vet to continue to drain her? Does she have any hope?