PLEASE HELP!!

[sunnyraven]

I found my 3yo australorp hen still roosting in the coop at 11am. She is extremely lethargic and passing pale yellow diarrhea?? It almost has consistency of the white in an egg... I felt her pelvis and she is very swollen around her cloaca. She is free range with 6 other hens and a rooster. I am really worried about her...her name is Black Beauty.

 

[Couture Family]

Try this link: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html
I hope she is ok??

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Is it possible that she has been egg bound, and the egg, whether shell-less or hard, has broken inside her? Is her vent prolapsed or just swollen--is there any pink tissue outside the vent? If you have any calcium on hand--Tums, calcium tablets, or even pulverized egg shells, I would crush one and give it to her in something she likes such as yogurt or scrambled egg. Then if you can soak her in very warm water up to her wings (epsom salts can be added if you happen to have any.) Take a rubber glove with lubricatnt and feel inside the vent for any remnants of egg shell and try to remove them. Then give her a little vinegar douche with an ounce of vinegar in 1 quart of water--it helps to squirt in 2 tablespoonsfull with a syringe. This would clean out the vent to prevent infection. Here is a link to read: http://www.avianweb.com/eggbinding.html

If you think she is too lethargic or is not egg bound don't do the bath. A picture of her droppings may be helpful.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another link on EYP and egg bound:
http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/Pages/Medicaladvice.aspx
http://www.avianweb.com/eggyolkperitonitis.html

 

[sunnyraven]

Ty for the feedback! Her vent is normal appearing but when I palpate in that area it is squishy like it's filled with fluid and prob the size of 1/2 grapefruit???...
Here r some pics I just took:

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[sunnyraven]

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm not experienced with internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis/water belly(ascites) but here is a good thread about it--it sounds like your hen: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/638821/ascites-swollen-squishy-abdomen-with-pics-video-page-9

 

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes ascites happens with heart or liver disease as well as with internal laying. Here is another good thread about internal layers and ascites: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/362422/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10

 

[sunnyraven]

Ty! I think it is probably EYP. I am a vet tech (not working currently)so I am going to sample some of the fluid. I read baytril or amoxicillin would work but the feed stores only have tetracycline . Any suggestions there? I didn't think she would have ascites from liver or kidney malfunction bc she is only 3yo...am I wrong in thinking that? I am also going to internally palpate to check for reminants of a shell.

 

[Eggcessive]

Two to three years is prime time for reproductive issues. You can get many medications only through this company: http://www.valleyvet.com/c/pet-supplies/pet-antibiotics.html