Inflated body. Air pockets under skin, 6 month old chicken

[nano852]

Here are some articles to read about subcutaneous emphysema (leaking air sac
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/171121/deflating-subcutaneous-emphysema
http://ijasvm.com/ijasvmadmin/upload/IJASVM_5113cbc51d31b.pdf
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/223/subcutaneous-emphysema/

Thanks. Those were articles I found.

We had this awhile back in one of our pullets, she wasn't sick or anything but just puffed up. We used needles to extract the air, but found it easier and more efficient to use a sterile surgical blade, we made a small incision under the wing and pressed out the air 2 days in a row (probably 2 times a day) and then covered the incision in neosporin. We kept an eye on any other signs or sickness or infection just in case antibiotics were needed and she recovered without meds. No problems or anything. That was probably over a month ago now or so.

I think releasing the air is the best option. Since the last time, overall pockets are smaller. I will keep doing it a few more times.

 

[nano852]

Hi,
just a quick update. After this couple of days releasing air, she is looking much better, pockets does not reinflate. I just prick a small hole near keel, above the pocket of neck area, and press air out.

 

[hannah311189]

I'm glad she is doing better

 

[nano852]

I'm glad she is doing better

Thanks!

All pockets are too small to extract remaining air. I hope this will help other users.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

great to hear.

 

[casportpony]

Hi everyone,
my chicken has a problem, air pockets under skin, that became notably visible one week ago.

At first it only appeared on her right side, covering from her rear, thigh, to near breast, and a separate small pocket on the back of her neck. But one week later, the air pockets expanded, and on her left side is appearing another one too.

I tried to extract all the air, but it just reinflates in no time. I have seen many posts about this, but, except one, all of those are not updated, leaving with no clear solutions. The one that I have excluded says that after removing the air, massage and press the area to avoid reinflation, but as I said, did not work.

She has no symptoms or strange behaviors, she is very active and happy all the time, like running around the house and escaping the box where she sleeps covered with cloth, and purring when I pet her neck. She normally eats vegetables, like cabbages, sunflower seeds, and corn, although sometimes she eats dirt from pots and steals my foods from my hands.

She did not received any major trauma, as she do not show any sight of uncomfortable.

Here I have some photos of her showing the affected area. I gave her a quick bath to make it more visible:

Left side:

Is there any way to cure this?
I would like to see your comments and solutions, and I am going to keep this post updated until the situation changed.

Thanks

Excellent pictures! Glad to hear it's getting better.

-Kathy