Lash eggs from older hen

[Frolicking Flocks]

My 7 year old black sex-link hen has released three lash eggs within a 6 hour period. She stopped laying years ago, and was never a good layer. A few days ago I found her in the nesting box trying to lay. She’s been acting tired, listless and not eating much. I found a lash egg in the nesting box she must have dropped during the night. I noticed she had a messy bottom and placed her in a bath with Epsom salts. That’s when I found a lash egg stuck in the cloaca which was protruding out. I gently worked the “egg” out and cleaned her vent and applied betadine. When I checked her day time coop I found two lash eggs she released earlier. Could this be a cancer or bad infection? She is so old and managed to thrive despite many of life’s obstacles (predators, molting in dead of winter etc) I don’t want to give up on her and would like to treat her myself. Is there anything else I can do other than euthanasia at this point?

 

[Eggcessive]

Salpingitis is an inflammation of the oviduct, and lash eggs are a sign of that. Can you cut into one and post any pictures? Some people use antibiotics such as amoxicillin or Baytril to treat for infection, hopefully to extend the life and make them more comfortable is they are sick. That is controversial since it probably won’t save their lives, but could help temporaily to make them feel better and get around. Here is some reading:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/disorders-of-the-reproductive-system/salpingitis-in-poultry?network=g&matchtype=e&keyword=salpingitis in chickens&creative=223892130142&device=t&devicemodel=&placement=&position=1t1&campaignid=939309541&adgroupid=44403887942&loc_physical_ms=9015895&loc_interest_ms=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjM7Uof_f2gIVmUwNCh3dqgF3EAAYASAAEgLCr_D_BwE

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/

 

[TwoCrows]

I am no expert on lash eggs but from what I understand, they are made up mostly of pus from new and old infections in the oviduct. I have an old hen that at 6 years old and had stopped laying, began laying lash and pus ball eggs. She appeared not to feel good at all. So I ran some Amoxicillin through her for 10 days and she cleared up completely. She is almost 8 now and she has no oviduct issues what so ever.

 

[coach723]

I've lost several to salpingitis, I've also treated with amoxicillin and enrofloxacin, but never had one recover completely, just bounced back for a while. It's certainly worth a try, it will either work or not. I usually try unless the bird is just too sick since I have heard of a few that said their birds recovered. If you have a vet that will do labs for you they may be able to recommend which antibiotic that it may respond to also. In all my searching for info I've found no absolute definitive cause and the various bacteria involved seem to vary case to case, and it's hard to know how long it's been there since sometimes you don't see the lash eggs until it's been going on for quite a while. Best of luck. If your bird recovers let us know, and what you did.

 

[micstrachan]

Is amoxicillin the first antibiotic to try when there is salpingitis? Was thinking of having a couple types of antibiotics on hand in case of emergencies or infection and wasn’t sure which to get.

@Frolicking Flocks, sorry about your sick hen and I hope you are able to help her.

 

[TwoCrows]

Is amoxicillin the first antibiotic to try when there is salpingitis? Was thinking of having a couple types of antibiotics on hand in case of emergencies or infection and wasn’t sure which to get.

@Frolicking Flocks, sorry about your sick hen and I hope you are able to help her.

Amoxicillin is a wonderful broad spectrum antibiotic and does well on deep tissue infections. It works better given orally vs via injection. It is easy on the digestive tract and tends less to cause crop issues. It is also recommend for complications of internal laying and other reproductive issues. (Not to mention pneumonia, bumblefoot, infections fron amimal bites and attacks, etc...) The only other medication that would equal Amoxicillin is Cephalexcin.

I keep Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Duramycin and Baytril in my antibiotic arsenal cabinet. These seem to cover it all, at least in my flock.

 

[TwoCrows]

More on lash eggs, many times yolks do not get shells put on and get caught in the uterus for extended time and cook. Eventually, and hopefully, the hen passes these and if you disect a lash egg you will find several cooked yolks all bound up like rings on a tree stump. Its possible this long delay of expelling these yolks is one cause of oviduct infections and pus filled egg like substances.

 

[Frolicking Flocks]

Do you have to go to a vet to get the antibiotics?

 

[Frolicking Flocks]

Amoxicillin is a wonderful broad spectrum antibiotic and does well on deep tissue infections. It works better given orally vs via injection. It is easy on the digestive tract and tends less to cause crop issues. It is also recommend for complications of internal laying and other reproductive issues. (Not to mention pneumonia, bumblefoot, infections fron amimal bites and attacks, etc...) The only other medication that would equal Amoxicillin is Cephalexcin.

I keep Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Duramycin and Baytril in my antibiotic arsenal cabinet. These seem to cover it all, at least in my flock.

 

[Frolicking Flocks]

How much Doxycycline do you give them? And do you get it from a vet?