My 2 hens have a severely swollen abdomen

[marque]

I have 2 beautiful girls that their abdomens have become swollen and warm and feels like a water balloon about to burst. I don't think its a reproductive problem since there's 2 at the same time. They hung out in the same boxes maybe bacterial?? They still eat and drink. I've cleaned the boxes and disinfected with a natural product but what can I do to atleast alleviate the discomfort? One of the girls can barely walk because her legs are spread apart so much because of the swelling. She has got to be in pain and its breaking my heart! Is there anything at all I can do to reduce the swelling and give her some relief?...as well as the other hen? And hopefully save them if possible ?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sounds like ascites. I don't know if @azygous or @Eggcessive are on right now but they may be able to help with this one.

 

[SarahGfa]

have they been laying eggs?

 

[azygous]

@BigBlueHen53 is right that it's likely ascites. There is no cure for it, but there is a way to alleviate some of the discomfort, although it may not last but a few weeks and you'd need to do it again. That would be needle aspiration. A vet would be a better venue to do it, but you can do it yourself with a large gauge needle.

The problem with ascites is that it's a symptom of a more serious underlying condition such as cancer and organ failure. Since two hens are affected, I would guess you have an avian virus working its sinister ways in your flock. If/when a hen dies, it's a very good idea to get a necropsy so you will know what's going on.

 

[marque]

Thankyou everyone. I thought about the aspiration but I wasn't sure if it would help because she looks like she can pop llike a balloon. Where on the body would that safely be done? And how?

 

[azygous]

The fluid is just under the skin. You only barely have to pierce it where it's swollen. You do need to be very careful you do not introduce bacteria as you perform the procedure. Use plenty of antiseptic. There are videos.

I need to confess I did this years ago before I understood how easily this can infect a hen with bacteria and my hen died the next day from a raging infection at the needle site. If I were to do it today, I would put my hen on an oral antibiotic before and after the procedure. But if you use very strict antibacterial measures, it should be okay.

 

[marque]

The fluid is just under the skin. You only barely have to pierce it where it's swollen. You do need to be very careful you do not introduce bacteria as you perform the procedure. Use plenty of antiseptic. There are videos.

I need to confess I did this years ago before I understood how easily this can infect a hen with bacteria and my hen died the next day from a raging infection at the needle site. If I were to do it today, I would put my hen on an oral antibiotic before and after the procedure. But if you use very strict antibacterial measures, it should be okay.

Duly noted! Operating room cleanliness. My friend across the street is a nurse. I may have her help me. So as far as a virus, I have had 2 roosters get sick. One is dead and the other is weak, he's been hanging in there for several days. I've had fowl pox twice over the last few years since I got my 1st chickens. I usually vaccinate everyone. This is not fowl pox. I need to figure out how to deal with this virus.

 

[azygous]

Good that you have a nurse to help. The procedure isn't complicated, but go slow and don't try to drain it all. The fluid should be a clear pale yellow. Dark brown fluid signals a much sicker chicken and that the end is close for her.

As for what virus may be in this mix, the only way to tell for sure is to have a dead chicken sent for a necropsy so they can examine tissue for possible viruses. This is how I discovered the lymphoid leucosis virus is in my flock. It's not the end of the world when you discover a virus is in your flock, but it does determine how you manage your flock from that point on.

 

[marque]

Where does it need to be sent?

 

[azygous]

Not knowing your location, we can't help with that, but you can call your local university extension office and they should be able to tell you the location of your nearest state lab. You need to keep the body refrigerated after death, not freeze it.