Prolapsed Vent - 2nd day, next steps?

[ReluctantChickenOwner]

Hello, I followed this article https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/ for steps to take to help my 2-year-old Novogen's prolapsed vent. I've been a chicken owner since 2022, but have never dealt with this issue yet.

It's been two days of trying to get the prolapse to stay in, but it keeps coming back out. Here is what I've done and seen:

1. Noticed prolapse two days ago, Tuesday, 8/27/24, not sure if she laid an egg that day as I have other Novogens (eggs look the same). However, there was an egg with a slight smear of blood on it.

2. I took her away from other hens to keep her safe

3. Cleaned her up, used items listed in the article to help her. I can slightly push the prolapse in, it stays in while I hold it, but comes back out soon after

4. I gave her a calcium citrate/d3 tablet yesterday and this morning

5. I didn't feed her yesterday, just water. But today I gave her a bit of scrambled egg and plain yogurt. She did eat it, and seems alert and wants out of cage.

6. Second day, still no egg (edited: she did lay an egg 2nd day)

7. Prolapse is about an inch out and very red
8. She pushes out small amounts of poop, which comes out sort of from the side of the prolapse

What other steps can I take? I do not have a veterinarian (for my birds) and probably couldn't afford to have one take a look at her. But I want to try whatever I can afford to help her and make her comfortable. How long do I keep at it? How do I tell if it's a bound egg? Should I give antibiotics?

Thanks in advance for extra ideas.
PS.
Another question:

If suggested to use bird antibiotics, do you hold off eating any eggs laid from specific birds? Another post regarding prolapsed vent mentioned this link to a bird antibiotic: https://fishmoxfishflex.com/collect...uivalent-azithromycin-250-mg-tablets-12-count

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post a picture of her prolapse when it is convenient? On many prolapse threads here, it can take a week or so for some prolapses to go back inside. Does she have any swelling around the vent besides the prolapse? Usually the thought is that if they can pass droppings, they are not egg bound. I would offer her food every day. A warm soak daily can be helpful to keep her vent and prolapse clean, and to promote healing. Keep the prolapse tissue moist at all times with honey, ointments or creaks. Here is a good article about prolapses:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

 

[ReluctantChickenOwner]

 

[ReluctantChickenOwner]

Can you post a picture of her prolapse when it is convenient? On many prolapse threads here, it can take a week or so for some prolapses to go back inside. Does she have any swelling around the vent besides the prolapse? Usually the thought is that if they can pass droppings, they are not egg bound. I would offer her food every day. A warm soak daily can be helpful to keep her vent and prolapse clean, and to promote healing. Keep the prolapse tissue moist at all times with honey, ointments or creaks. Here is a good article about prolapses:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

Thank you for responding. I posted pictures just now. Sorry for the UP CLOSE pictures! She was on my lap. Also, I did cut away the feathers around the vent.

One picture is of the prolapse out, and one with it pushed in (after I manually pushed it in). Soon after, she just contracts and pushes it back out.

I have been following that article's suggestions from the first day noticed. Others have mentioned putting Epsom salts in bathwater. Wouldn't that burn?

The droppings that she passes are smaller than a usually dropping. I put all of my other hens in away from her and put her out in the run for a while. I thought if she had to lay an egg she would use the hutch. I will bring her back in tonight, keeping her away from the others.



PS. After being out in the coop/run for a while (alone) she laid an egg. So not bound up, I guess? Vent still ugly prolapsed out!

 

[Renbackyard]

I had a hen that had a prolapsed vent I used gloves and Vetericyn plus spray I cleaned it up by holding her vent in warm water and gently washing it then I pushed it back in I sprayed it before I put it back in and then once it was in, I think I had to do this for a couple of days and then eventually it stayed in, you almost have to push it a little further than you think but gentle, if she was egg bound you would feel it when going in vent, mine didn’t lay while had prolapse

 

[Eggcessive]

I think it looks okay. Many use Epsom salts for healing. I would use that or warm soapy water. Even a little salt in the water is fine to use. Keep doing what you are doing keeping the prolapse moist.

 

[ReluctantChickenOwner]

Thanks again. I am concerned that she may be picking at the area herself. As tonight when I did a final cleaning before covering her in the cage for the night, it looked more red and a bit more bloody. Ugh. Who knew chickens could be this gross !

 

[Eggcessive]

If she lays often, she could be having another egg coming along, so another dose of human calcium with vitamins D may be helpful. Is it staying in more? Is she passing droppings?

 

[ReluctantChickenOwner]

If she lays often, she could be having another egg coming along, so another dose of human calcium with vitamins D may be helpful. Is it staying in more? Is she passing droppings?

I did give her another calcium/vit d tablet (so this is the 3rd). The prolapse is still out. After cleaning out her cage and cleaning her up again, I tried pushing it back in again. She just pushes it right back out, even if I hold it for a while. Yes, she is passing small-sized droppings and some whitish/yellowish liquid. She still seems content. She is eating food and drinking water. While the other hens are in a different area today, I will put her back in the coop to see if she will lay again today. Thanks for checking in.

 

[Eggcessive]

It can be frustrating sometimes. It used to be that chickens with prolapses were butchered or put down. Many seem to recover well, but it can recur. They can get a little vent damage with a prolapse or with oversize eggs. Vent pecking can also happen in flocks which does no good. If there is still any swelling honey or a paste made of sugar and a few drops of water can help swelling go down. An ice pack held on for a few minutes if the hen would tolerate it can decrease swelling. With her next soak, or if you can examine the inside of her vent with a disposable glove, you might want to feel for any blockage or tissue, stuck poop, etc.