Needle Guage Size Question re: Draining Abdomen

[chickensioux]

Hi, I have one hen that has had a fluid filled abdomen on and off this whole summer. DLHUnicorn told me about using brewers yeast for this problem. I started poking a brewers yeast down Tulip's throat each day for about 2 weeks (it took a while almost all summer) and the fluid is gone. I read that this fluid build up (ascites) can be caused by high altitudes. Are you in the mountains? I am here. It took several months of giving her this pill and now I just give it to her about once a week for maintenance. I don't know if it was because of the pill or if it was a coincidence but......it is gone. I never did aspirate the fluid. Don't know if you are having the same problem but it might be worth a try. Good luck with her and happy holidays.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
Nasty virus to have and they can be genetic as well because it is a very high possiblity that all of our Spitzhaubens have it. It is very unfortunate! Hopefully something will cure her birds or know what it is.

So whats the update, SpeckledHen?????

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, chickensioux! I'll have to get some of those tablets after the holiday. Never heard that.

We have given Olivia her second dose of penicillin, plus today, she's had extra protein (scrambled eggs), calcium and yogurt. I hope to see some improvement soon after her last dose tomorrow. She's acting fine, has not been on the nest today, etc.

 

[bargain]

Cyn, I pray the improvement continues!

Quick question......Our girls never like the scrambled eggs when I give them as treats or supplements....

Did you give them eggs as babies? How do you cook them....

Our thoughts are with you....

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Nancy. Yes, I give them chopped up eggs as chicks, so they already love them.

chickensioux, sorry I didn't answer your question about the mtns. Yes, I'm in the mtns, at about 2000 ft elevation, not all that high.

 

[speckledhen]

Olivia had her third dose of penicillin today. And almost gave me a heart attack in the process! She was struggling and not happy about her shot, DH cant get enough breast meat, so gives it to her in the thigh muscle. Then she starts gurgling and gasping for air....I wasn't holding her too hard or across her crop, but in being stressed, she must have regurgitated something from her crop, then sucked it down the wrong way. She was turning purple, gasping, while we ran to the house for DH to get some tubing to give her air (at least that was the plan) She kept trying to hack it up and suddenly, she wasn't gasping anymore and her color came back. Good grief, how much more stress can we take?
Had a horrible wind-and-rain storm last night that tore off roof shingles from the house and ripped off flashing, threw tree limbs everywhere and on our wrap porch, 8 ft wide and covered, there wasn't an inch of decking that wasn't wet, that's how strong the winds were. And we lost power for about 3 hours. Had a 70 lb dog burrowed into our bed shaking like a leaf. Got no sleep till early this morning. I'm all for a stress-free 2010!

 

[delawaregirl09]

Oh, speckledhen! I hope Olivia gets to doing better. What luck, with that storm! At least everyone is okay!! Or at least I hope they are.

 

[EweSheep]

YIKES! Hope you are doing ok so is the poor hen!

 

[speckledhen]

Well, this morning, Olivia is none the worse for wear after her ordeal yesterday. Now, we just have to hope and pray that the antibiotic kicks out the infection like it did for Ivy and Ginger.

 

[Inkydoo]

hope your very cute girl is okay.

I'm a former vet tech and second the 16-18 ga. recommendation but as stated it depends on how viscous the fluid is. Bigger needle = faster process, and fast = less stress. 22 ga will take a lot longer even if watery.

I am sending warm thoughts your way for a recovery. I hope it doesn't come to this, but if you lose any more to similar symptoms, have you considered sending to your state's agricultural lab. Most offer cheap necropsies. I have had 4 deaths similar to yours in the last 2 years, all birds < 3 years old. I just found out that I have lymphoid leukosis in my flock. It is a contagious virus that causes cancer, often you see enlarged abdomens, reproductive/lung/gastro intestinal tumors. This is horrible news but at least I know now.

I am a a CVT. Please be mindful that if you drain too quickly and too much at one time you can put the hen in to a shock state. Ideal is an 18g (shorter in length vs standard) w a leur locking syringe (please only poke her once). Leave the needle head in her and take syringe off to empty syringe as she drains through the needle base you left in. You can put syringe back on and pull more fluid….. depending. Again please be mindful to not take too much fluid at once. Better to come back in a few days to complete. I would not do this unless you have experience or are w someone whom does. Please only enter the needle on her right bottom/back side and make sure you do your best to create an aseptic environment. Clean site, clean tools, clean her afterwards w chlorhexadine solution or iodine….alcohol stings. Humane care essential
Best to keep her cozy after procedure.