Old hen with huge prolapse: Opinions needed ASAP

[Weeg]

Hello everyone, just got back from being out of town for the weekend and found my older hen, unofficially named Lady, with a huge prolapse. I left Saturday morning, so could have happened anytime between then and this afternoon. I have prolapse experience, and know what to do, but upon soaking I’m genuinely concerned as to wether or not there’s anything I can do at this point. I’ve never dealt with one this big before. I need options as to what I need to do here. If this is still treatable.
She is trying to pass the blockage, likely egg. She is still active, and trying to run away from me.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[Weeg]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous
Thank you for all the help lately. It’s much appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully Carol will be on soon and can chime in.

You are correct, that's a large prolapse. The intestine has prolapsed too.

Can you feel inside for an egg? I've labeled your photo.
See you have 2 openings - these basically "meet" at the vent, one is the intestine, the other is to the reproductive system.

Of course give calcium, see that she's staying hydrated. Keep the tissue moist.
If more comes out then you may need to make the call that this is not correctable. If she's not in a lot of distress and you feel you can work on her, then do that.

 

[Weeg]

Hopefully Carol will be on soon and can chime in.

You are correct, that's a large prolapse. The intestine has prolapsed too.

Can you feel inside for an egg? I've labeled your photo.
See you have 2 openings - these basically "meet" at the vent, one is the intestine, the other is to the reproductive system.

Of course give calcium, see that she's staying hydrated. Keep the tissue moist.
If more comes out then you may need to make the call that this is not correctable. If she's not in a lot of distress and you feel you can work on her, then do that.


View attachment 3555952

Okay thank you so much. Gave calcium immediately, and she’s separated away from the others. She’s been recovering after a beating from a rooster in the drake pen, so luckily no one has picked on her, and they’re leaving her be.
I’ll see if I can feel an egg. I wanted to do that originally but wasn’t sure where to go. I’ll see what I can find, and hope it doesn’t get worse. Sweet old girl has been through so much lately.

 

[HeritageFan]

I’ve never had to deal with this- so asking to learn.
....would coconut oil, or triple antibiotic ointment (without the pain relief) be recommended to keep everything lubricated for a prolapse- even for a prolapse this severe?
I know it doesn’t help with the inflammation... but for someone who doesn’t feel like culling is the right option, apart from making sure she stays hydrated and as clean as possible, what else (besides the additional calcium) would/ could you do?
And, what is the likelihood of recurrence?

 

[Weeg]

I just felt for an egg. I got to my second knuckle, about 1 1/2” deep before she freaked and jumped out of my arms. I didn’t feel anything. She is stills straining, and if she hasn’t worsened when I go to lock them up I’ll apply honey and sugar. She’s stressed now from handling so I’m going to give her a moment.

 

[Weeg]

I’ve never had to deal with this- so asking to learn.
....would coconut oil, or triple antibiotic ointment (without the pain relief) be recommended to keep everything lubricated for a prolapse- even for a prolapse this severe?
I know it doesn’t help with the inflammation... but for someone who doesn’t feel like culling is the right option, apart from making sure she stays hydrated and as clean as possible, what else (besides the additional calcium) would/ could you do?
And, what is the likelihood of recurrence?

All are great questions.

I have a bantam hen who has gotten two prolapses in her lifetime, both of which she has survived. I typically use honey to keep it moist, plus it helps with inflammation. I’ve tried hemorrhoid cream, pain relief free antibiotic ointment, etc, but honey is the only thing I can get to stick. Seems to work quite well. Even with the severity of this prolapse that’s the approach I’m going to take as of right now.

Beyond that, daily soaks, which hazel, and daily application of some kind of ointment, in this case honey, has always been my approach in the past. Calcium daily as well, but you already mentioned that. With something this sever I would also give anti inflammatory/antibiotic herbs. Yes I know, that sounds dumb, but as someone who strongly believes in holistic medicine, it is a strategy that I use and has worked for me in the past.

If a prolapse is completely treated, as in retracted and blockage has passed, the chances of it happening again in the future greatly increase after the first. In Lacey’s case, my bantam hen, she has struggled with reproductive issues throughout her life because of her breed, but her likelihood of getting another prolapse increased after the first, and proved accurate as of a couple weeks ago.
Let me know if you have more questions, I’m happy to share the knowledge that I have.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’ve never had to deal with this- so asking to learn.
....would coconut oil, or triple antibiotic ointment (without the pain relief) be recommended to keep everything lubricated for a prolapse- even for a prolapse this severe?
I know it doesn’t help with the inflammation... but for someone who doesn’t feel like culling is the right option, apart from making sure she stays hydrated and as clean as possible, what else (besides the additional calcium) would/ could you do?
And, what is the likelihood of recurrence?

Yes, you can apply oil, honey, ointment, sugar pack, etc. to keep the tissue moist.
This is not the first time she's dealt with prolapse so, we didn't go over all the particulars.

As for culling - yes, it is an option depending on the severity of the prolapse and the state/condition of the hen.

 

[HeritageFan]

All are great questions.

I have a bantam hen who has gotten two prolapses in her lifetime, both of which she has survived. I typically use honey to keep it moist, plus it helps with inflammation. I’ve tried hemorrhoid cream, pain relief free antibiotic ointment, etc, but honey is the only thing I can get to stick. Seems to work quite well. Even with the severity of this prolapse that’s the approach I’m going to take as of right now.

Beyond that, daily soaks, which hazel, and daily application of some kind of ointment, in this case honey, has always been my approach in the past. Calcium daily as well, but you already mentioned that. With something this sever I would also give anti inflammatory/antibiotic herbs. Yes I know, that sounds dumb, but as someone who strongly believes in holistic medicine, it is a strategy that I use and has worked for me in the past.

If a prolapse is completely treated, as in retracted and blockage has passed, the chances of it happening again in the future greatly increase after the first. In Lacey’s case, my bantam hen, she has struggled with reproductive issues throughout her life because of her breed, but her likelihood of getting another prolapse increased after the first, and proved accurate as of a couple weeks ago.
Let me know if you have more questions, I’m happy to share the knowledge that I have.

What antibiotic herbs would you use in a case like this?

And, fresh herbs, or a tincture?

I have a litany of food allergies and often go first to an Usnea tincture for myself- but it is best steeped in alcohol (which I also have to be careful about- corn and soy are in everything!!). But I don’t know what else you could use for a tincture base that would be safe for our feathered friends...?

I’d love to have some usnea (or other) tinctures on hand - if there is a safer way to prepare it for them?

 

[Weeg]

What antibiotic herbs would you use in a case like this?

And, fresh herbs, or a tincture?

I have a litany of food allergies and often go first to an Usnea tincture for myself- but it is best steeped in alcohol (which I also have to be careful about- corn and soy are in everything!!). But I don’t know what else you could use for a tincture base that would be safe for our feathered friends...?

I’d love to have some usnea (or other) tinctures on hand - if there is a safer way to prepare it for them?

I have an antibiotic powder blend that I got from a local shop. It’s for people, but all the herbs are poultry safe, and I just give a fraction of the dose. I also use turmeric, either powder, golden paste, or tincture. I try to use tinctures made form glycerin over alcohol tinctures, though I have used both without issues.

I love Adorned Beast products as well, and am currently fly using town of their tonics on my bantam hen Lacey.