Prolapsed vent—egg folded inside

[brix]

Help! Is this a death sentence? This girl was trying to lay her first egg. I noticed she had poopy butt and took her in to do an Epsom salt bath. When I could get a good look at what was going on I found what looked like a prolapsed vent. It has weight to it and feels as if an egg is inside the folds, obviously crunched. Is there anything I can do? She’s still pooping and leaking around it, but I can tell she’s uncomfortable and when I tried to slide my finger in the opening to see if I could move the skin around the egg, she squawked.

I’ve put vegetable oil on the skin as it feels like it is beginning to dry out after her soak. She’s on a warm towel with a heating pad while I research. Any help or advice is much appreciated.

 

[WingItRanch]

Oh no! Bringing in some help. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

 

[azygous]

First give this hen a calcium tablet, then read this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

You need to reduce the swelling around the vent so the egg can come out. Use hydrocortisone cream on the tissue. Then place her on a moist towel with a heating pad underneath. This will help relax her muscles.

Finally, mix one cup of warm water with one teaspoon sugar and give it to her to drink. It will boost her glucose levels and stabilize her.

 

[WingItRanch]

@brix How is she doing?

 

[brix]

@brix How is she doing?

Sleeping a lot today. Crushed a calcium + D3 pill and fed it to her via syringe. Gave her another bath soak to clean her feathers as they continue to get poop on them. She seems to like that.

I’ve kept vegetable oil and crisco on her prolapse to keep it moist, and she’s been in a clean crate with a heating pad and warm towel, but it still feels like that delicate skin it’s drying out. I just reapplied cortisone cream to help with swelling. She’s eating and drinking a little sugar water, but mostly just sleeping. Not sure what else to do. Any other suggestions? The skin is looking dark and I’m worried it’s dying.

 

[WingItRanch]

Sleeping a lot today. Crushed a calcium + D3 pill and fed it to her via syringe. Gave her another bath soak to clean her feathers as they continue to get poop on them. She seems to like that.

I’ve kept vegetable oil and crisco on her prolapse to keep it moist, and she’s been in a clean crate with a heating pad and warm towel, but it still feels like that delicate skin it’s drying out. I just reapplied cortisone cream to help with swelling. She’s eating and drinking a little sugar water, but mostly just sleeping. Not sure what else to do. Any other suggestions? The skin is looking dark and I’m worried it’s dying.

It sounds like you're doing everything you can for her. I can't provide any helpful advice, just support. @azygous may have a next step for you.

 

[brix]

It sounds like you're doing everything you can for her. I can't provide any helpful advice, just support. @azygous may have a next step for you.

Thank you for checking in!

 

[brix]

Update: she’s acting more like herself today. Up and around the house, eating and drinking well. Bathed her again and reapplied all the stuff. Gave her another calcium + D3 via syringe. Eating regular feed as well as fruits, veggies and scrambled eggs.

Unfortunately her vent protrusion doesn’t look any different. She’s pooping regular poops, as well as leaking fluids of some kind, tinged a bit pink in areas. It smells terrible. Updated pic after a wash and before any ointment. I’m putting a cortisone coated mask around her back end while she roams.

Not sure it’ll let me tag anyone, but @azygous or anyone else that has advice or guidance would be appreciated! I can’t seem to keep that skin where she’s pooping from moist no matter how much ointment I’m keeping on it. I’m just worried I’m prolonging the inevitable because I don’t want to see her go.

 

[WingItRanch]

You tagged correctly! I'll tag a couple more people in case she's busy. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

Poor thing. You're doing a great job keeping her comfortable. Hopefully she can pass the egg soon. Euthanasia is tough but be ready if she seems like she's suffering. Sounds like she's not there yet if she's eating and moving around.

 

[brix]

Thank you! I’m really not sure there’s an egg to pass in the protrusion or not. I thought there was at first but I’m less convinced now. Just more confusion over all.