prolapsed uterus

[prettypiglett]

I have now got a chiken (Matilda) with a prolapsed uterus. She was looking quite sorry for herself, so I read your article and decided to give it a go. I had cleaned her up last night and applied honey. The first signs looked good, it started to contract straight away and I thought she might be lucky and it might go back. Anyway after 15 minutes I went back to check and it seemed bigger than before....I am not sure if I did this correct, but I applied a bit more honey and gave her a helping hand and it gently popped back. By now she was extremely quiet (unusual for her!). Anyway I put her seperate from my two other girls and kept her quiet all night, half expecting the worse this morning! But she was still with us

Only problem is its still the same position so I have put more honey on.... I was wondering do I have to push everything back in everytime it pops out ? or will nature naturally do this? She seems her usual self despite this problem and is eating like mad (as usual). I appreciate any help, so thank you

 

[MotherJean]

Must push the uterus back in every time. If it remains out it will eventually become necrotic and she will die. When it pops out, be sure to pour a generous amount of mildly salty tepid water over it to clean it. Apply the honey and wait a bit to see if the swelling goes down. When it does, gently push the uterus back in and then hold your hand over the vent for several minutes until the spasms caused by the Vegus nerve calm down. Sorry to say, but you can't keep doing this indefinitely. I'd give it a couple more attempts so long as the uterus still looks pink and healthy. If it looks very pale or bruised or continues to prolapse, I would put the poor dear out of her misery.

 

[prettypiglett]

Oh dear its not looking good then

She has been a fantastic chicken and still quite young

She has laid some fabulous eggs too......she seems quite content at moment but if it comes to it , I dont want her to suffer. Is there anything I could do to prevent it happening to my other chickens or is it just one of those things that happen ?

 

[artsyrobin]

I've never had it happen to mine, but have read its a good idea to keep them in a dark quiet place to prevent egglaying more than just a few nites, and help them heal...

 

[prettypiglett]

Another sad day, have put it back in once and about to do it again. Have been keeping her in dark, with food and water but she has limited room to move about, we have noticed if she moves about alot it pops back out quickly.
We are thinking tomorrow has to be the last day of trying....what do others think? We would be grateful of any advice, posts seem to vary between a few atempts to a week?
Thanks for any help though

 

[MotherJean]

I suppose it comes down to is: How is she holding up? and How are you holding up? You know, the tough part about chickens having a prolapse is the frequent egg laying issue. If you can only keep the prolapse in place until the next time she strains to poo or to lay an egg, I think I'd put her down. I'm sorry. I was hoping you'd have a better resolution to this problem.

 

[prettypiglett]

It is even sadder by the fact she seems to allow the pushing back, holding her still and all the fuss.

She seems as bright as ever at the moment, eating and moving is all fine ....infact you would never know anything was wrong except for the honey kept near by and the latex gloves!

If it doesnt stay in propely today then I think we will have to call it a day for her

 

[drunkdog]

god speed Matilda...if that is what must be....

 

[bargain]

All very good advice. If you even have a cloth that darkens the pen/kennel/cage this will help her not want to lay. You can also make a temporary - no cost/low cost area for her by putting pallets together and then a pallet on top where she can walk around. Put under a tree or area it will not get too warm and this will also allow her a separate area if this is the issues. Pallets are often available free of charge many locations - like hardware stores, etc. Best of wishes and thanks for caring so for your chicken.

 

[prettypiglett]

I am lucky enough to be able to have been keeping her in a seperate run, infact she has had the luxury and extra star treatment. It has been covered, to keep her in darkness with only a slight gap on one side so she can still be near and see my two other chickens.


My conclusion seems to depend upon how severe it is, she has obviously had quite a bad one in the fact its very hard for her to keep it in, even without laying an egg. It has never seemed to cause her any pain, and thats the sad part she seems quite normal.

It has been a pleasure to have her , its just a pity its not going to be a happy ending. Her last few hours will be spent running around the garden though! Thanks for all the advice, it has helped.


Thanks again for all the help.