Laying hens with "water belly" or "ascites"?

[Shabana]

This is baby Bluebell. She zooms about so it's hard to get a good shot of her.

I'm sorry to see Fanny struggling. My hen stood like that and I drained her and she is now on a medication from the vet ( see previous posts in this thread for details and dosages)
A month later she is doing brilliantly and like Fanny she was at deaths door.
I'm not saying it's plain sailing or that it's 100 % but if you're at the point where it's do or die then there's nothing to loose and at least she will be more comfortable.

It's awful and I respect your decision. I am sending all my love to you both x

 

[chicknmania]

Bluebell such a cutie! Poor Fanny. YOu could try the Milkthistle or draining? She is really big though...so don't wait too long to decide.

 

[chicknmania]

This is Fanny, she has gotten huge! It's so hard to watch! Since there's no cure is it most humane to put her down? Or should I be draining the fluid to keep her comfortable or the rest of her life?

Can you get Milkthistle where you are? It's worth a try, as is draining her. If you can. I don't know if I could do the draining myself, I'm squeamish, I'm lucky I had a friend to help. But it is not that difficult. Also, I don't know if you can get the Zyfend, look on line...maybe you can. I am beginning to think seriously it might be making a difference for Bitsy. Still tooo early to tell, but tonight her fluid was very soft and squishy...less fluid. I am hopefull, but still reserving opinion.

I just read that Yucca (the primary ingredient in Zyfend) is used as an anti-inflammatory, is also to soothe inflammation in the intestines AND for liver disorders...and it's being studied as a cancer fighting agent...hmmmmm.....

 

[Shabana]

That's interesting about yucca. Am gonna read up on that
Ye baby bluebell is cute. Proper little madam
Got my fingers and toes crossed for Miss Bitsy and for little Fanny x

 

[chicknmania]

:Thank you. The fluid was a bit more today, and it had moved...to her underside all the way across. But it's not much. AND her appetite is excellent...she's eating like a horse....all her feed and eating it dry. And gaining some weight, too....

 

[chicknmania]

Bitsy is not huge at all. She just has a little fluid. It does move around, and her underside seems to be a little sensitive, and warm. But she is eating well, pooping, perching, running around. I asked our four leg vet today about draining her and he said he didn't think he felt comfortable with it. His nurse said we could try to just let her go, and watch her, if she isn't any worse than what she is. I'm worried about it, but I think I might. Idk, should I?

 

[TherryChicken]

Alot of our hens seem to be a little watery, but nothing to come out and act normal. Could I just be feeling wrong??

 

[chicknmania]

Alot of our hens seem to be a little watery, but nothing to come out and act normal. Could I just be feeling wrong??

You mean feeding wrong? What do you feed?

 

[TherryChicken]

You mean feeding wrong?  What do you feed? 

No feeling. I've never dealt with ascites before. So im wondering if I'm feeling wrong. It feels like most of my girls have watered bellies, but they do just fine. Act 100% healthy. So im wondering if the "fluid" I am feeling is the normal way they should be and not actually ascites. Especially since nothing ever came out

 

[jkirkp5]

I would just let her enjoy herself if she seems fine otherwise. All my girls that developed acsites had other symptoms as well. I would never drain them until I noticed them open mouth breathing or laboring to breathe. Draining would relieve pressure on the air sacs and lungs. However, personally I would leave well enough alone until you notice her getting substantially larger.
Much luck and blessings!