Possibly egg bound, but can't really tell. Any advice?

[Bill1976]

Greetings,

I apologize if this has been asked & answered already.

I have a RIR hen, about 7 1/2 years old. She's overweight (not morbidly so, but noticeable). On Sunday I noticed she was isolating herself in the run, tail down, head down, not interested in food (she's a voracious eater normally). Monday the condition was the same and she was waddling like a penguin.

I did some online research and came to the conclusion she might be egg bound. Remedies I found called for isolation, abdomen massage, calcium intake and warm soaks to try and get the egg to pass. This treatment started on Tuesday. I noticed her poop was whitish-yellow and watery with green streaks (almost like a blanched spinach leaf in the poop). I've been crushing two Tums tablets and mixing with water and then feeding that to her with a syringe (to up her calcium and fluid intake as I don't believe she's drinking much water if any) once a day and she's been soaked 3 times (warm water with Epsom salts for 20 minutes once a day). I've kept her isolated in a dark, quiet area. So far, no egg. Her abdomen feels like a bag of water-no stiffness or hard spots. I tried inserting my finger in her vent up to about the first joint and didn't feel anything that felt like an egg to me. Once I got to the point of resistance, I stopped. I really didn't want to take the chance of puncturing her insides, so I wasn't comfortable probing any deeper than that.

Everything I've read states that after about 48 hours she'll likely die, but she's been this way for 5 days now. She is very lethargic because walking is difficult, she has no appetite and her breathing is a bit labored. Since starting treatment, seems a bit more alert, but she still can't really walk or maintain her balance. It's like she's dragging her abdomen around between her legs. At this point, when I put her back in the run, the other chickens attack her (because she's sick and has been away from the flock I'm guessing), but I can't leave her in my garage forever. I don't have the money for a vet visit. If she doesn't improve soon, I'm afraid I may have to put her down, but I want to make sure I exhaust all options before I get to that point.

Has anyone seen an egg bound hen in that condition for that long? Do these symptoms sound like the cause may be something else?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to mention I have 4 other hens and none of them are exhibiting these symptoms.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

@casportpony
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
So sorry to hear about this. It sounds like you're doing everything right in narrowing things down.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Hi Bill.
Sorry I don't have anything more positive to say, but in my opinion, she is displaying signs of reproductive disorder, probably ascitis. I know it is possible to drain her abdomen which will give her more time, but it will take her at some point. In my experience you can have another year or so with them where they will go in and out of the state she is currently in. But with her age I am not sure she will last. It can be harrowing to watch. The behaviour and your description of her poop is all too familiar to me.
I hope I am wrong and I really hope others come in with more helpful information!!

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Oh and yes you are correct, if she were eggbound she would not have lasted this long.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

@azygous any suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

Unfortunately, I think that @Cragg Klefor is right that your hen may have ascites (water belly) possibly from a reproductive disorder such as internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, cacer, or salpingitis. I would make her comfortable and stop the calcium. Feed her foods that she likes such as egg or tuna, with mostly chicken feed as her main diet. I would consider putting her down if she seems to be suffering at any time. Do you know when she last laid an egg.

Hens with reproductive problems may walk more upright or waddle, and the fluid in her belly may cause her to have pain and have a hard time breathing. Draining her belly would only give her some temporary relief. Here is a video of someone draining a hen’s belly from ascities:

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Monday the condition was the same and she was waddling like a penguin.

Her abdomen feels like a bag of water-no stiffness or hard spots. I tried inserting my finger in her vent up to about the first joint and didn't feel anything that felt like an egg to me.

Everything I've read states that after about 48 hours she'll likely die, but she's been this way for 5 days now. She is very lethargic because walking is difficult, she has no appetite and her breathing is a bit labored.

It's like she's dragging her abdomen around between her legs. At this point, when I put her back in the run, the other chickens attack her (because she's sick and has been away from the flock I'm guessing),

I agree with @Cragg Klefor it sounds like your sweet girl is suffering from a reproductive problem. EYP, Internal Laying, cancer, tumors and salpingitis are fairly common.
The mention of her abdomen feeling like a "bag of water" sounds like she has complications with Ascites (water belly).
You can try draining her to see if that gives her some relieve, helps her walk and breath better. Antibiotics can also be used to help fight infection/reduce inflammation, but the results are often short lived.

**I see @Eggcessive was typing while I was, good suggestion. Take a look at the video of how to drain her. Hopefully that will help.

Let us know how she is.

 

[azygous]

I'm also in the ascites camp, especially give her age. Draining the fluid out of her abdominal cavity is a bit risky, and it will only provide temporary relief. Ascites isn't a disorder, but rather a symptom of liver disease. Nothing can be done for that.

One thing you could try is a diuretic to give her a bit of relief.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

One thing you could try is a diuretic to give her a bit of relief.

I did not know that @dawg53 thank you!

 

[dawg53]

I agree with the others, ascites. You can drain her as mentioned but it will be ongoing and her health will continue to decline. It would be best to euthanize her.