Not Eating or Drinking After Swallowing Latex Glove... Please Help

[TheOddOneOut]

Hi. Our 3 months old hen Vader stopped eating and drinking almost two days ago. She had a warm little coop in the patio but recently we moved her inside the house as it got rainy and colder. We noticed a glove was missing yesterday and suspected that she had swallowed an entire latex glove and that she might have gotten an impacted crop or some digestive issue. She still had some normal-looking stool yesterday, but nothing since then.

We rushed her to the vet this morning. The vet took X-Rays on her and did not see an impacted crop or even any foreign object in her. Because of the pandemic and the new policies, we were not able to be with Vader throughout the procedures nor did we see the X-Rays. They did point out that her stomach and intestine looked flat but could not be more conclusive. The vet gave us many possible answers, such as parasite infection, Merek's, and digestive problems due to genetic defects. They did confirm there is no egg on its way yet. They then proceeded to use gavage and fluid on Vader as she did not have any feed or water in a day. After spending all day and more than $500 at the vet and getting no valid answer, our baby girl was sent home with no specific care instruction except to maintain her regular diet and drinking habit. I felt like I was ripped off and my girl did not get any proper help. I am now trying to use a syringe to feed her water and she has been very rejective.

Do any of you know what could cause this? We think she did swallow the glove although we did not see her do it. Besides that, she has been very healthy until the mysterious glove went missing. If that really is the case, will the glove eventually come out of her vent? She is still quite active right now and able to walk around without any problem. If any of your chickens had similar symptoms before, what was the solution? Thank you in advance!

I’ve read the whole thing in more detail now....I’m sorry you‘re both going through this.

 

[Weeg]

It's true, but a glove? I would think if they were that bored they would at least go for something much easier to swallow.

Agreed. I really don't even think they can fit the whole thing in there mouth.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

It may be good to try a different vet..I’m not sure. If you don’t have the money or something, I get it, but this just sounds terrible, that she can‘t eat anything.
I wouldn’t recommend trying to force water down her throat if you don’t know that she can swallow it.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Agreed. I really don't even think they can fit the whole thing in there mouth.

Imagine it as a big floppy kale leaf. I can totally imagine them downing that. Doing the gobbling motion to pull it in their mouths.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I’ll check back in the morning.

 

[Weeg]

Imagine it as a big floppy kale leaf. I can totally imagine that.

Well kale breaks. I fuse tried to swallow it, then it will break, and turn into a paste. A glove, won't mush or break, it will just scrunch up. It doesn't seem like to me that that is what is going on. Feel her crop, that will be the deal breaker. I can imagine it will be obvious if there is a glove in there.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Well kale breaks. I fuse tried to swallow it, then it will break, and turn into a paste. A glove, won't mush or break, it will just scrunch up. It doesn't seem like to me that that is what is going on. Feel her crop, that will be the deal breaker. I can imagine it will be obvious if there is a glove in there.

It may have moved farther down the system...

 

[Weeg]

It may have moved farther down the system...

I wonder if she has pooped. Is she pooping at all @VaderRader? If she can't poop because of blockage, she wont live long. If it really is a glove, then I can't see her surviving with out surgery, or serious medical help. Otherwise, I will tag some experts, and see what they think. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @Overo Mare @azygous

 

[VaderRader]

I wonder if she has pooped. Is she pooping at all @VaderRader? If she can't poop because of blockage, she wont live long. If it really is a glove, then I can't see her surviving with out surgery, or serious medical help. Otherwise, I will tag some experts, and see what they think. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @Overo Mare @azygous

No, she has not pooped since yesterday afternoon. It has been more than a day and it is concerning. The vet said to be patient since they used gavage on her and it may make her poop tomorrow. Thanks, I will try to get second opinion.

 

[VaderRader]

Well kale breaks. I fuse tried to swallow it, then it will break, and turn into a paste. A glove, won't mush or break, it will just scrunch up. It doesn't seem like to me that that is what is going on. Feel her crop, that will be the deal breaker. I can imagine it will be obvious if there is a glove in there.

Yeah I felt her crop and it was soft and not enlarged. I am not an experienced hen owner so I thought it was an impacted crop at first. The vet confirmed with X-Rays that the crop was okay :/