Lethargic bird, sudden onset

[babybop11]

One of our most active Forager’s, top of the pecking order hands started laying down a lot today appearing on interested in eating and somewhat of a squishy abdomen. I’m not sure if I’m just now noticing this change in abdomen or if this is what it always feels like. Not overly squishy but just somewhat. I don’t believe she is egg bound as I saw her take a large poop but her crop fields mostly empty and she is not acting like herself. what can i do? i have a syringe i could attempt to drain abdomen and see what it looks like. i just tried a warm soak

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Same hen that you posted about draining on another thread today or a different one?
If it's the same hen, it seems like you have hopefully figured out what's going on and will be able to offer her supportive care and treatment.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ear-liquid-please-help.1620285/#post-27915830

Hi! I am currently dealing with this. Drained belly and clear liquid came out. what can i do??

I think the only treatment would be to get a hormone implant by a vet which can last 6 months, or to do surgery. If I were dealing with it, I would probably drain the abdomen on occasion if she was having labored breathing or uncomfortable. There is always risk of infection or death with draining. Here are 2 good articles that have recommended treatment:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...em-in-poultry/cystic-right-oviduct-in-poultry

https://poultrydvm.com/condition/cystic-ovarian-disease

I ended up being able to drain almost 35ml of fluid. She then was interested in eating and ate a good amount of scrambled eggs and blueberries. She was acting normal at this point so I put her out in the run and will keep an eye on her/drain again as needed. We happened to have an antibiotic from another chicken ailment last month that ended up not being used so I’m starting her on that. I also gave her Vitamin E and about a quarter of a Tums for some extra calcium. Does that sound okay?

She could probably take a whole Tums, or calcium citrate with vitamin D 300-600mg. How much does she weigh? How old? Vitamin E is fine, but that is usually given for neurological problems or wry neck. Does she normally lay eggs?

She’s just over a year old. She lays eggs. I need to get a scale, Im not sure how much she weighs. She is one of our best foragers and is top of the pecking order so eats well. I have Vitamin D3 5000Iu dose (125 mcg). Should I give her one of those with a tums and the antibiotic in the morning? We also have some leftover anti-inflammatory medication from the previously sick bird. This particular hen has a history of getting egg backed up and needing to be soaked- attached a photo of the egg that came out last time I had to soak herView attachment 3904136View attachment 3904137

 

[babybop11]

Same hen that you posted about draining on another thread today or a different one?
If it's the same hen, it seems like you have hopefully figured out what's going on and will be able to offer her supportive care and treatment.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ear-liquid-please-help.1620285/#post-27915830

Yes, I ended up finding a similar thread to get more info through. I’m still not entirely sure what is going on with her but she seems OK since I drained about 35ml of fluid from her belly. Is this likely something I will have to continue to do until it may take her from us? It seems strange to have come on so suddenly and now she’s fine for the time being. I suppose she has had egg issues in the past so that could all tie together.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, I ended up finding a similar thread to get more info through. I’m still not entirely sure what is going on with her but she seems OK since I drained about 35ml of fluid from her belly. Is this likely something I will have to continue to do until it may take her from us? It seems strange to have come on so suddenly and now she’s fine for the time being. I suppose she has had egg issues in the past so that could all tie together.

Some people find that they have to drain periodically, time will tell if that's what you will need to do.

 

[babybop11]

I just noticed that her waddles and face are swollen when I had to touch them to give her medicine. Is this consistent with water belly? (Included photo of a few months ago vs last night) @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t know about the swelling. I haven’t seen it. You hen has a cystic right oviduct, not ascites/water belly. I have only seen ascites/water belly before, and there was no swelling that I noticed.