Poopy butt...and prolapse??

[Houdini56]

So, I went to see how she was doing and she had very definite white discharge all over her bum which has happened just in the last 2 hours. I always thought it looked like pooh before, but now it matches some of the photos I'm seeing of gleet. She was also still mildly prolapsed -- but when I bathed her (again!) she immediately pulled the prolapse in and it stayed in -- so I'm more concerned right now about getting a handle on the discharge which is increasing -- each time she had a bath before it was 12-24 hours before she was messy again. This time 2 hours.

It's pretty hot in the PNW today, mid 80s which is about the hottest these girls have had to deal with. She's likely drinking more than normal and maybe that's a factor.

I don't have any antifungal cream on hand and will have to get some tomorrow, but I smeared some hemorrhoid ointment around her vent area as I've seen some people thought it was helpful with prolapse.

About giving calcium -- I broke up a pill to the size of her oyster shell but she was not interested. Suggestions on how to get this down her?

And about constipation -- I've seen her poop repeatedly today. She pooped once in the bath and it was well formed (and even stayed formed in the water). I did once see her making pooping motions and nothing came out, so maybe it's an issue. Will pick up some mineral oil with the antifungal tomorrow. Will just keep hitting this with everything suggested and keep fingers crossed.

Oh! I felt her abdominal area, also her crop area, and then went and checked the other hens -- no noticeable difference in either area between the two. So yay for that!

 

[casportpony]

but now it matches some of the photos I'm seeing of gleet.

Dr Rob Marshall wrote:

Vent Gleet literally means a slimy matter oozing from the vent. It is an old expression used to describe the symptoms associated with a condition called cloacitis (an infected cloaca). There are several possible causes and different infections associated with a cloacitis which means the treatment used for Vent Gleet will vary according to the underlying cause and particular infecton. The underlying causes of the condition are complicated and in order to gain a better understanding of Vent Gleet, knowledge of the function and anatomy of the cloaca is required.

Examine the droppings microscopically to help identify the type of cloacal infection (bacteria, parasite, fungus or yeast).

 

[casportpony]

I don't have any antifungal cream on hand and will have to get some tomorrow

I can also be caused by parasites and bacteria.

 

[Eggcessive]

Since she is pooping often, there is no need to give the mineral oil. I would reread the links in post 6 about prolapsed cloaca and papillomas which are really interesting.

 

[Houdini56]

Today, 5 hours after first bath (where prolapse pulled in quickly and stayed in) we went to give a second bath because she had vet appointment. Almost NO discharge and no sign of prolapse which was a relief.

Vet did a thorough physical exam and said no signs of anything he feels needs urgent further investigation. Is concerned partial prolapse is due to the occasional x-large eggs that somebody is laying, and recommending moving them to a layer feed now (they have been on start-and-grow with oyster shell available) to give as much support as possible. Other than that said stay the course with no "treats", just crumbles, until this passes. Had no objection to ACV in the water, but I forgot to mention the yogurt -- though after 3 days of yogurt I had decided to skip a day or two at this point anyway.

He said the heat we've had the last week or two may well be adding to the situation by stressing her....suggested putting sprinkler on next to run, etc. to try to cool things off. Good news there too as we are supposed to be dropping at least 5 degrees by weekend.

Will update again in a few days. If nothing else, I've become more familiar with chicken anatomy because of this and that can't be a bad thing. Also found out our dog/cat vet has raised chickens for many years and appears to know his stuff (though certainly charges for it!). Do appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad that you have found a vet familiar with chickens that you can rely on for help. Keep us updated on how she gets along.