Procedure for draining hen's belly?

[poonam]

Hi folks

My 1 year old hen, who looks perfectly healthy for the most part, laying every 2-3 days, has a soft squishy swollen belly that seems to be growing in size. it is not huge right now, but getting bigger everyday.

I would like to try draining a little fluid to take a look at the color and try and get a sense of what is going on. I tried looking up specific directions on draining and didn't get enough information. I understand that I am to use a 16-20 gauge needle, a couple inches away from the vent on the squishiest side of the swollen belly... that would be the bottom, but a little to the side?

i've also read that if i dont do it right i could poke an internal organ and cause more trouble.

I would appreciate any detailed info you can give me on the process and the disinfecting before and after.

Thank you so much in advance if you are able to take the time. .

poonam

 

[CMV]

You may want to look up some posts by SpeckledHen or send her a PM. She drains bellies all the time.

Good luck.

 

[poonam]

i did send her a PM she is unavailable to answer questions. i did look up a lot of posts too. not enough detail in them. thanks!

 

[Judy]

Well, this is a veterinary procedure. Dr. Brown may once again be helping folks:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/626747/peter-brown-the-chicken-doctor

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/362422/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10

 

[tamtam84]

I just drained my GLW hen, Buttercup. Here's the thread on her situation -
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/638821/ascites-swollen-squishy-abdomen-with-pics

I used a small needle (20 or 22 gauge) because when I took her to the vet they drained out a little fluid and it was very thin and I didn't want to hurt her with a big needle. The fluid ended up looking straw-colored (very lightly tinged with brown) and there was no blood in it at all.

It might not help much by my description, but I had my husband hold her and I felt around to find the squishiest part of her abdomen. I ended up poking her in about three different places, pretty close together. It was about an inch to the left of her vent, down about an inch or two. My needle was only 3/4" long and when I punctured the skin, the needle basically went in all the way on its own. I wasn't worried about puncturing any organs because the needle was so short and I read somewhere that if you do hit an organ, with a small needle it shouldn't cause a problem at all.

Some of her skin was stretched very tight and was dry, so I tried to find a spot that was a little softer so the needle would go in easier. She didn't flinch at all when I put the needle in. She actually ended up draining from the needle holes overnight and by morning was completely drained.

I hope that helps!