Possible heart failure

[Limepink]

Hi all.
Looking for either experience or insight..
I have a 2 week old chick who I suspected had an impacted crop.
She was lethargic, had a HUGE bulging crop, didn’t want to sit down would just stand up with her eyes closed. She was unsteady on her feet, not preening. First noticed this on Wednesday, when watching them I thought she may be eating the bedding so I switched to puppy pads. I also mixed everyone’s food with olive oil, and began massaging her crop downward every 3 hours or so. It seemed to be helping. Her crop wasn’t empty at night, but it was considerably smaller, just a little lump there for the next 3 mornings. One bird had matching crop, so I assumed she was in the clear. So I switched to mixing water with their food instead of olive oil, and put them on pine pellet bedding instead of shavings.
She seems to have gotten worse today. Crop area swollen again, and she’s super unsteady on her feet, haven’t seen her preening.. Not real lethargic, but not as active as the rest.. Not growing as quick as everyone else, but not super behind. Her feet are tiny.
She has been pooping, I did find a few of what I imagine was old pine shavings in her poop the first 2 days, then none since. They are smaller poos then everyone else but nothing out of the ordinary.
They are all on cluck co starter pellets, which is why I am soaking the food before feeding.
They have a brooder plate at an angle so I don’t think heats an issue.

Anyone been through this? Unsure what to do for her. Her body seems to be swelling. She doesn’t seem to be in distress but obviously something is not right. She eats and drinks.

 

[Limepink]

Also forgot to mention as I suspected crop impact, I did introduce chick grit. Suspect heart issue possibly due to her appearance. I don’t feel a lot of fluid but I think she may have some buildup on her underside. Unsure what I’m feeling for but she’s a little squishier than her flock back there.

 

[Limepink]

Just more info..
This morning her crop was COMPLETELY EMPTY! She was running around just like everyone else. now it’s an hour later and she looks super swollen again. I’ll continue to massage her today and update at end of day.

 

[Altairsky]

I had a pigeon with heart failure. With heart failure she would be breathing really fast with open beak. If she's brerathing normally it's probably something else.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Heart failure would not come and go like that—there would be lethragy, open mouth breathing, and purple comb/wattles/ear lobes if visible. This chick looks bright-eyed but puffed up and cold to me. Is it bullied away from the brooder plate?

 

[Limepink]

Heart failure would not come and go like that—there would be lethragy, open mouth breathing, and purple comb/wattles/ear lobes if visible. This chick looks bright-eyed but puffed up and cold to me. Is it bullied away from the brooder plate?

Thanks for the reply.
I was perhaps on google a little too much.
I read somewhere right heart failure could cause water belly, and perhaps slow digestion due to not having enough oxygen pumping through to organs.
Honestly they rarely are under the plate unless it’s night. When I do see them under it the EE have only their back half under, she is normally completely under with the turken. Our house is 70 degrees. She does enjoy napping in the crease of my elbow (with hoodie on) it seems she likes the warmth.
Also notable that her poops seem smaller. Crop doesn’t seem to really empty until night. She just grows and gets more unsteady on her feet as the day progresses.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Thanks for the reply.
I was perhaps on google a little too much.
I read somewhere right heart failure could cause water belly, and perhaps slow digestion due to not having enough oxygen pumping through to organs.
Honestly they rarely are under the plate unless it’s night. When I do see them under it the EE have only their back half under, she is normally completely under with the turken. Our house is 70 degrees. She does enjoy napping in the crease of my elbow (with hoodie on) it seems she likes the warmth.
Also notable that her poops seem smaller. Crop doesn’t seem to really empty until night. She just grows and gets more unsteady on her feet as the day progresses.

Yes, right HF causes liver congestion which then ‘leaks’ fluid into the abdominal cavity, called ascites. My knowledge is based in human medicine, but the general process of HF is the same, and what’s happening with your chick doesn’t seem to fit HF.
There may be avian specific reasons for water retention, if that’s even your chicks issue, to consider.
The progressive imbalance is odd. Try to post a video of the behavior, and in the meantime I’ll tag a couple of people who may offer suggestions. Good luck to you.
@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock