Prolapse? Help!!!

Mar 16, 2019
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Hi. Woke this morning to chicken that’s lethargic, hardly moving, tail down. Discovered what I think is prolapse. I don’t feel nor see an egg. There is a giant bulb. I’m thinking vent prolapse. Appears to be backed up with poop. We are soaking her more in warm water to continue cleaning her up. We do not have a chicken vet in our area. Can anyone please advise?
 

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Does it look like the other hens may have pecked it, or is there any frostbite? I would soak her in warm Epsom salts water or soapy water for about 20 minutes. The dark tissue could be from drying out, and may need to be scrubbed off down to healthy tissue. After soaking and cleaning her up, another picture would be helpful. Apply something to keep it lubricated such as honey, sugar syrup, hydrocortisone cream, hemorrhoid cream, or vaseline. Then try to push the prolapse back inside and hold it there. Make sure that she is able to poop. Will she take any food or water? Here is some reading:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/
 
Usually chickens with a prolapse are not lethargic or not moving. I would be very concerned that she has been suffering for awhile or has been damaged by pecking. I would offer some electrolytes or a few drops of Poultry NutriDrench, and try to get her hydrated. Check her also to see if she may have suffered a stuck egg at the same time. If a vet is available that would always be best if they are familiar with chickens.
 
Does it look like the other hens may have pecked it, or is there any frostbite? I would soak her in warm Epsom salts water or soapy water for about 20 minutes. The dark tissue could be from drying out, and may need to be scrubbed off down to healthy tissue. After soaking and cleaning her up, another picture would be helpful. Apply something to keep it lubricated such as honey, sugar syrup, hydrocortisone cream, hemorrhoid cream, or vaseline. Then try to push the prolapse back inside and hold it there. Make sure that she is able to poop. Will she take any food or water? Here is some reading:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/


Thank you for the link. It’s helpful. I can’t manipulate the bulbous back in. It’s too firm despite soaking. Yet I don’t see an egg. It’s as if the tissue itself is firm. I don’t see signs of pecking. And no to frostbite. It’s very warm where I live. I’m not sure what else to do other than continue to soak.
 
Quote: It’s too firm despite soaking. Unquote.

If she's eggbound, I've had good luck with KY jelly. I squeeze a good gob of it up into her vent (I keep a tube of the stuff specifically for this purpose) then GENTLY massage the area. KY is water soluble, so do it after the bath. My thinking is that it makes the egg good and slippery and also moisturizes her (by now) tender tissues. Keep us up to date please, and good luck with your girl.
Edited to add: A good idea to keep her semi-separated from your other chickens so that they do not peck at her. A dog crate or other suitable cage placed in their coop so that she can still see and be seen by the other chickens should help her maintain her place in the pecking order.
 
Honey can keep it moist as well as help to reduce the osmotic pressure and swelling. Thick sugar syrup (sugar plus a bit of water) works too. Many use hemorrhoid cream or hydrocortisone cream to help reduce swelling. I would keep soaking her at least once a day. Toward the end of the soak, you can take a wash cloth if there is any dried or black tissue, and try to scrub it off. It may bleed slightly, but that is a good sign that the tissue is alive.
 

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