Older hen not well..thinking Internal Laying/EYP..also not clearing crop

[LaFleche]

Maybe that's just me, but this somehow is starting to feel like some kind of promotion for the linked website.
All completely unnecessary as we on BYC have excellent articles on every issue, illness or other requirements regarding chickens and other poultry.

Given her motility is really slowed down, a vet would likely give the yeast medication orally (which would likely take care of the issues), but they might also use a topical treatment on the cloaca for an added measure. The yellow/smelly stuff you describe really sounds like gleet. Yeast imbalance can be pretty potent. Not to say there isn't more going on there, but yeast imbalance seems to be a high probability.

There are lots of resources out there. Here is one I found quickly from my pet chicken that is based more on home treatment. https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/What-is-vent-gleet-and-how-can-I-treat-my-H491.aspx#:~:text=Vent gleet (a.k.a. cloacitis) occurs,(gross - we know!).

Agree, mine is either 45 min or 2 hrs away. It's rough. There are lots of good treatment alternatives listed at least and options for people who don't have access. It would also be great if there was a non-profit set up to offset costs for those that can't afford treatment, but want to do all they can. I know mypetchicken also has a triage section to help diagnose problems too and I think that is free and online.

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

Maybe that's just me, but this somehow is starting to feel like some kind of promotion for the linked website.
All completely unnecessary as we on BYC have excellent articles on every issue, illness or other requirements regarding chickens and other poultry.

If you are referring to mypetchicken, this was a link from an additional source. Please feel free to link to a BYC article on vent gleet as you see fit, as I have done with the sour crop link etc. This one just happened to be the quickest one I found that covered some of the highlights of it.

 

[vantain]

Given her motility is really slowed down, a vet would likely give the yeast medication orally (which would likely take care of the issues), but they might also use a topical treatment on the cloaca for an added measure. The yellow/smelly stuff you describe really sounds like gleet. Yeast imbalance can be pretty potent. Not to say there isn't more going on there, but yeast imbalance seems to be a high probability.

There are lots of resources out there. Here is one I found quickly from my pet chicken that is based more on home treatment. https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/What-is-vent-gleet-and-how-can-I-treat-my-H491.aspx#:~:text=Vent gleet (a.k.a. cloacitis) occurs,(gross - we know!).

If you can't get the nystatin for whatever reason, there are some other yeast treatment options mentioned here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

I do have miconazole in a 2% cream to maybe help with the crop issue..if it can even help. Is this suggested to try? I'm not certain her crop is actually sour at this point. I have not seen any foul liquid expelled, only clear so far. And again, the only food she has had that would be in her crop is flock raiser crumbles. Her crop may be emptying the liquid..it's hard to tell because she does seem to be drinking a lot of water. I don't observe any droppings in her litter though.

Incidentally, when I checked on her just now, her comb is red, and no sign of the purple I saw for the last two days.

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

I do have miconazole in a 2% cream to maybe help with the crop issue..if it can even help. Is this suggested to try? I'm not certain her crop is actually sour at this point. I have not seen any foul liquid expelled, only clear so far. And again, the only food she has had that would be in her crop is flock raiser crumbles. Her crop may be emptying the liquid..it's hard to tell because she does seem to be drinking a lot of water. I don't observe any droppings in her litter though.

Incidentally, when I checked on her just now, her comb is red, and no sign of the purple I saw for the last two days.

I have not had experience with that medication in chickens, but perhaps Azygous on this site would know.

Do you know if the liquid has a smell to it, even if clear? If there is crop stasis, the small amount of food if left there, would start to ferment.

Drinking is good, but it may mean her body is thirsty and telling her to drink, but the crop may be super slow right now and stuff not moving through. It's a good sign though.

From your pic, she looks healthy and alert. If you can resolve the motility issue I think she has a good chance.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

The purple comb most likely indicates low blood oxygen levels. If she isnt struggling to breathe, its most likely major organ function rather than a respiratory problem. The swollen back end kinda confirms this. The swelling is likely fluid retention from organ failure. The heart is a main culprit, but not always. The fluid can also be putting pressure on organs causing a never ending cycle, as well as pain and suffering. The pain can add to her acting sickly and not wanting to eat too. You can drain the fluid and it should give her some relief. Looks can be deceiving. It may seem like it's not alot, but a few cups or more of fluid could be hidden in there. Especially if the pressure is going backwards into her body cavity and organs, as opposed to bulging visually outside of the body.

My bad. I just caught where you said you didn't think it was water belly at this point. However, fluid retention is fluid retention. it don't take alot. Like i said before, the physical appearance can be deceiving. Most of the time theres more fluid then you think.

 

[azygous]

My take is that there is very likely an underlying health issue causing an obstruction which causes the digestive system to slow. You can treat for sour crop, but it may not do any good as the crop won't drain.

The likelihood of EYP is high. If salpingitis is present, it can cause an obstruction due to the accumulation of solid pus material.

Her prognosis is poor. But you may decide to treat for sour crop and infection to cover the bases. If you do that, you will need to include a probiotic such a acidolphilis to counter the microbe killing aspect of the antibiotic. Use a vaginal yeast cream on the crop issue. Any broad spectrum antibiotic will do. I use fish amoxicillin. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/ One a day for ten days.

You can reassess after around five days, and if there is no improvement by then, I would euthanize.

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

If it ends up being EYP, here is some more info https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/egg-yolk-peritonitis-in-backyard-chickens.

Good luck with her! Wishing you the best.

 

[vantain]

Any broad spectrum antibiotic will do

I have Baytril. Would I need to attempt to empty her crop before giving her an antibiotic? And are you suggesting the acidolphilis in some form at the same time?

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

My take is that there is very likely an underlying health issue causing an obstruction which causes the digestive system to slow. You can treat for sour crop, but it may not do any good as the crop won't drain.

The likelihood of EYP is high. If salpingitis is present, it can cause an obstruction due to the accumulation of solid pus material.

Her prognosis is poor. But you may decide to treat for sour crop and infection to cover the bases. If you do that, you will need to include a probiotic such a acidolphilis to counter the microbe killing aspect of the antibiotic. Use a vaginal yeast cream on the crop issue. Any broad spectrum antibiotic will do. I use fish amoxicillin. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/ One a day for ten days.

You can reassess after around five days, and if there is no improvement by then, I would euthanize.

Never thought of fish amoxicillin. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

I have Baytril. Would I need to attempt to empty her crop before giving her an antibiotic? And are you suggesting the acidolphilis in some form at the same time?

Azygous and others may have suggestions, but I believe baytril will work. It is off-label use in birds, but I know it is used. I use plain greek yogurt when I need the acidolphilis. I also know some companies claim that there are pro-biotics with specific strains for chickens. You might be able to find one at the local feed store, but if you don't have access, plain greek yogurt is fine, if not greek, then plain regular.

If you have experience and feel confident to empty the crop without her aspirating, it might help her feel better and then you have a clean slate to get the antibiotic and yeast medicine administered. But again, I would attempt only if you are comfortable doing so.