prolapsed uterus

[artsyrobin]

i just wonder if chickens can have hysterectomies? such a sad situation

 

[MotherJean]

I'm not sure that a hysterectomy is possible. I don't think it would be as simple as removing the cloaca (which is the what you're seeing with a prolapse). I should think that it would be complicated in that the surgeon would need to remove the entire genital tract which includes the uterus, vagina, oviduct, ovary and all those eggs (ova) that are in various stages of development. Here's a very good diagram of the physiology I'm talking about:
http://www.poultryhub.org/index.php/Anatomy_of_the_Chicken_Learning_Resource
Assuming it's even possible, the number of folks willing to pay for such a surgery is probably one in million.

 

[prettypiglett]

I would love to be able to take her to a vets and get it done but couldn't afford it

But I also wonder if it would be fair on her to put her through it all after the last few days?

 

[prettypiglett]

The guilt got the better of me, and my bf......took her to the vets on wednesday night. She said it was bad but theres a slight chance. She cleaned her up, pushed everything back in. And put a stich in. It had to be kept in for 24c hours and she was given anti biotics to take for 7 days.

Anyway we cut the stitch out last night, and so far so good. She hasnt laid an egg yet so its still early days. For the moment I am keeping her seperate and in the dark to try and give her more time to recover before that egg arrives. But she seems back to her stubborn but loveable self.

I will keep you informed.

I am so hoping she survives! We now feel as if we have tried everything possible....fingers crossed

 

[artsyrobin]

now that sounds like something i would do... hope that will work for her!!

 

[prettypiglett]

So far no sign of an egg....my logic is the longer this egg takes to come the more chance for her to heal. Just had a look at her and so far all is looking good

 

[MotherJean]

You know, that's what is done for large livestock (cows, horses, goats, pigs) who suffer a prolapse after giving birth. Once the prolapse is back inside we put stitches in the vulva to keep it from prolapsing again. I am surprised to hear that done for a chicken, however. Just for future reference - where did the vet put that stitch? Was it a single stitch right in the middle? And, how long did the stitch need to remain?

 

[chickUP]

One of my hens had a prolpse last summer. We just kept pushing it back in and it kept popping out. We put some blu-kote on it and pushed it back in everyday, sometimes several times a day. We didn't keep her in the dark or seperated from the other hens. After a about a week it finally stayed in on it's own. She didn't lay any eggs for about 2-3 months but now she is back to being my best egg layer. Good luck!

 

[prettypiglett]

I'm still smiling

She had to keep the stitch in for 24 hours, and it was a purse string, which had to be cut. It went across the opening, so she couldnt lay an egg, but the vet agreed we should keep her in the dark to try and stop the egg laying. So far everything has stayed in place, but thankfully no sign of an egg yet. She is on anti biotics for 7 days which means we cant eat her eggs for 14 days (if she does lay anything) so for now she is on her own but as close as possible to my two other hens. She is loving the attention and is now refusing to open her beak for her medicine!

She is definately back to being a normal stubborn hen

But she is adorable.

Chickup......We were pushing it back in all the time but it would pop straight back out as soon as she was put down on the ground. But I guess it was quite bad by the vets first reaction. We are new to all this so maybe a more experienced person would have done a better job for her

blu-kote looks like it could be handy to have as a just incase it happens to another hen.....did you use the honey method aswell?

Can I just add this is a fantastic site and has been so great to be able to talk to people as friendly as yourselves who are willing to help/ listen .......so thanks alot everyone

 

[MotherJean]

It's nice to hear some uplifting news like this. I'm so happy for you and thanks so much for sharing the details of her treatment with us. It's been a good learning experience.

Continued good luck with your girl.