MAREK’S or something else????

[Chickenvilla2point0]

I have a hen whom yesterday I believed to be egg bound but now I’m more concerned it’s something more serious such as MD.

I originally thought egg bound because she was sitting constantly and waddling clumsily when she did move. I thought for sure I had seen an egg at the exit ( big white mucusy bulge at vent ) but a few hours later in was gone and upon further inspection I couldn’t feel any egg inside her. I then noticed her belly was very distended and soft kinda like a balloon which then led me to believe maybe ascitis. Today she can’t walk or stand, her wings drooping, belly is still distended and she’s pooping and eating. We don’t have a vet within a couple hours of us and I have no clue what’s going on. I tried doing some research and now it seems like it could be MD since she can’t move.

I’m terrified if it mareks i will have to cull the whole flock??? Does any one know what’s going on with my girl and what I can do to help!?!?

 

[nuthatched]

Sounds more like an reproductive issues like internal laying ir acsites or a hernia.
You likely will have to put her down, I'm sorry.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

I have a hen whom yesterday I believed to be egg bound but now I’m more concerned it’s something more serious such as MD.

I originally thought egg bound because she was sitting constantly and waddling clumsily when she did move. I thought for sure I had seen an egg at the exit ( big white mucusy bulge at vent ) but a few hours later in was gone and upon further inspection I couldn’t feel any egg inside her. I then noticed her belly was very distended and soft kinda like a balloon which then led me to believe maybe ascitis. Today she can’t walk or stand, her wings drooping, belly is still distended and she’s pooping and eating. We don’t have a vet within a couple hours of us and I have no clue what’s going on. I tried doing some research and now it seems like it could be MD since she can’t move.

I’m terrified if it mareks i will have to cull the whole flock??? Does any one know what’s going on with my girl and what I can do to help!?!?

The good news is that it doesn't sound like Marek's, the bad news is that it that fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites/water belly) is a symptom of a serious problem that is often fatal. Some people would put her down now. Personally I'd would drain off some of the fluid with a needle and syringe (there are threads on here and videos on youtube about how to do it) and see how she does. Depending on the cause of the fluid buildup (often liver, heart, or reproductive issue) is she may able to live a while longer, years even, if you drain off fluid whenever it builds up to the point that she can't walk well.

 

[Chickenvilla2point0]

The good news is that it doesn't sound like Marek's, the bad news is that it that fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites/water belly) is a symptom of a serious problem that is often fatal. Some people would put her down now. Personally I'd would drain off some of the fluid with a needle and syringe (there are threads on here and videos on youtube about how to do it) and see how she does. Depending on the cause of the fluid buildup (often liver, heart, or reproductive issue) is she may able to live a while longer, years even, if you drain off fluid whenever it builds up to the point that she can't walk well.

yes I’ve prepared myself that putting her down may be necessary however I would like to try whatever I can first. We really do love our birds as pets and I would hate to do it but I also don’t want her to suffer. I would like to try draining the abdomen I’m just worried I’m wrong about my diagnosis and I could hurt her more if I try and there is no fluid. Do you know if it could hurt her if that’s the case?

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

yes I’ve prepared myself that putting her down may be necessary however I would like to try whatever I can first. We really do love our birds as pets and I would hate to do it but I also don’t want her to suffer. I would like to try draining the abdomen I’m just worried I’m wrong about my diagnosis and I could hurt her more if I try and there is no fluid. Do you know if it could hurt her if that’s the case?

If her belly is soft and distended some sort of fluid is building up and that fluid will be a buffer between the needle and her organs. If it's gotten so bad that she can't walk, I think it's pretty unlikely you would do more harm trying to drain to her. I;ve read that some birds can go into shock and die from draining too much too fast, but I've never had that happen and allowing the fluid to keep building up will put more and more pressure on her organs which will eventually kill her. There is always a risk that something could go wrong, but I think the risk of doing nothing is greater.

Some tips if you do decide to drain her:
1) Wrap the girl securely in a towel and have someone hold her firmly, but not so tight she has trouble breathing.
2) Clean the area on her right side a couple inches below her vent with an antiseptic and also consider get amoxicillin to help prevent infection
3) Try working the plunger on the syringe before hand so you know how much resistance to expect (some are really, really sticky).
Here is a video of a woman draining a hen all by herself (which I don't recommend--definitely have a helper if possible!), talking you through the process and making it look easy:

 

[Chickenvilla2point0]

Okay I agree at this point trying it can’t be much worse than the discomfort she’s already in. Thank you so much I really appreciate your help and for taking the time! I’m going to get a needle today and try to drain a bit off and see what happens.

 

[Chickenvilla2point0]

well I just tried to drain it and nothing came out so at this point I have no clue what’s wrong with her. We’re still quite new to this chicken thing so I’m not sure when the hen is considered to be suffering. She’s still eating drinking ( though not a lot ) and pooping but still can’t walk. I’ve given her a vitamin and electrolyte solution but I’m thinking it may be time to let her go soon?

 

[nuthatched]

well I just tried to drain it and nothing came out so at this point I have no clue what’s wrong with her. We’re still quite new to this chicken thing so I’m not sure when the hen is considered to be suffering. She’s still eating drinking ( though not a lot ) and pooping but still can’t walk. I’ve given her a vitamin and electrolyte solution but I’m thinking it may be time to let her go soon?

It could be a rumor or internal laying if there's no fluid, I'm sorry.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

well I just tried to drain it and nothing came out so at this point I have no clue what’s wrong with her. We’re still quite new to this chicken thing so I’m not sure when the hen is considered to be suffering. She’s still eating drinking ( though not a lot ) and pooping but still can’t walk. I’ve given her a vitamin and electrolyte solution but I’m thinking it may be time to let her go soon?

Sorry draining didn't work. If she is laying internally the egg yolk can thicken (or even cook from the body heat) and become impossible to drain.

That she is eating less is a sign that the pressure on her organs is getting to be too much. I know it's hard, but I think you'll know when she's had enough.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a hen whom yesterday I believed to be egg bound

sitting constantly and waddling clumsily when she did move. I thought for sure I had seen an egg at the exit ( big white mucusy bulge at vent ) but a few hours later in was gone and upon further inspection I couldn’t feel any egg inside her. I then noticed her belly was very distended and soft kinda like a balloon which then led me to believe maybe ascitis.

Today she can’t walk or stand, her wings drooping, belly is still distended and she’s pooping and eating.

What was the big mucousy bulge at the vent? Was it a soft shelled membrane or could it have been a Lash egg?

Get some Extra Calcium into her, be sure she's staying hydrated and eating. You can find Calcium Citrate with D3 in the vitamin aisle of stores like Walmart, CVS, etc. Give 1 tablet daily, just pull down on her wattles, pop the tablet into the beak and let her swallow.

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

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-few-soft-shelled-eggs-prolapse.1471652/