Prolapsed Vent - Help

[Kaleen Morris]

I am currently treating my hen Minnie for a prolapsed vent. I pretty much a newbie, I have learned a lot more then I ever thought imaginable about chickens in the past year but I desperately need help. Minnie has a prolapsed vent and had had one before, to be honest I do not if she ever fully recovered from the first time. I have given her warm soapy baths as needed, with gloves gently inserted PrepH to push vent (or do I say prolapse) back in. All feathers around vent have been trimmed. She has been put on a diet to stop egg laying. Her diet consisted of 24 hrs no food just electrolytes in her water. Followed up with fresh greens and oyster shells. ( I did not know I should be offering oyster shells prior to this ) She is in isolation in a dark quiet area away from the other birds. She's in a large dog crate. I applied sugar to her vent to tighten and strengthen it. I have used Monistat cream previously as suggested but that was prior to this isolation and routine which has been going on for the past 9 days. The routine to stop the egg laying has been in effect for 5 days today. She has laid one egg in that time. I am not sure what more I can do for her and what to feed her and if she should or shouldn't be given Electrolyte in her water and should she be given Oyster Shells? I read to reduce the calcium during treatment and reduce the protein. Any suggestions would be SO appreciated. I just don't know what to do for my Minnie.I thought she was improving but then last night her vent was prolapsed again but not as bad as it originally was however this morning it was fine with just looking slightly swollen and red/pink ( sore ) Also she has never acted sick or is very active she wants out and she is so mad that I have her confined. I have 14 birds total. 2 Roosters and she is both of their favorites so as soon as they see her they mate her, another reason for her being kept apart. I would say she is towards the top of the pecking order so none of the other birds have ever pecked at her or bothered her vent. I read about Surgery which sounds risky and much too costly for me. I also read about Cortisone and antibodies but not sure what do from here. Thank you for any help. She is a white leghorn and I do not know her age for sure but I'm guessing 2 yrs old. Her eggs are not over sized and she had never had blood on her eggs. photo below of Minnie

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Minnie has a prolapsed vent and had had one before, to be honest I do not if she ever fully recovered from the first time. I have given her warm soapy baths as needed, with gloves gently inserted PrepH to push vent (or do I say prolapse) back in.

She has been put on a diet to stop egg laying. Her diet consisted of 24 hrs no food just electrolytes in her water. Followed up with fresh greens and oyster shells.

She is in isolation in a dark quiet area away from the other birds. She's in a large dog crate. I applied sugar to her vent to tighten and strengthen it. I have used Monistat cream previously as suggested but that was prior to this isolation and routine which has been going on for the past 9 days. The routine to stop the egg laying has been in effect for 5 days today. She has laid one egg in that time.

.I thought she was improving but then last night her vent was prolapsed again but not as bad as it originally was however this morning it was fine with just looking slightly swollen and red/pink ( sore )

Do you have any photos of the prolapse?
To help stop laying light needs to be limited to less than 12hrs a day. You can also reduce the amount she eats daily a little if you need to.
Is she able to poop?

I would give her calcium to help with contractions and retention of the prolapse. 1/2 tablet of Caltrate a day for a few days.
Soaking in a warm epsom salts bath may help reduce the swelling so you can push it in. Anti-inflammatory cream can be used. Some do use sugar for healing as well.

If the prolapse keeps coming out, then you can try "slinging" the prolapse to help keep it in.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/successful-vent-prolapse-treatment-with-photos.1101406/

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not withhold food. She needs to eat, but you can reduce the amount of protein in her food. To stop her from laying, place her in a dark room or covered dog crate for 16 hours a day (including overnight.) Let her out for 8 hours of daylight so that she can walk around, eat and drink. It may take 3 or more days to stop laying.

As Wyorp Rock said, the calcium is better given with a half a calcium tablet daily while she is having the prolapse. Just keep the prolapsed tissue moist while it is outside the body, so that it doesn’t dry out and become necrotic.

 

[cottagecheese]

Already left a comment in the other thread, hopefully you are aware of it. Here there is more information on the situation, so more to add from me.

No more Prep H please, so many died after it., No hydrocortisone cream either, due to immunosuppression. concerns. The first time my hen had a prolapse, I used unrefined coconut oil on it and it went away in a few hours. Same thing for prolapse number two and three. In the other comment I tell my story about her almost fatal prolapse, number four. I'd rather not 'spam' it again, but if you the OP or anyone else wants to see it here, I'll be happy to oblige.

Oh, how well I understand the dilemma about what to feed. Less protein so a new egg doesn't form, no, more protein so her poor vent can heal. I recommend no more than six hrs of light daily to ensure she stops laying and when this has been achieved, slightly more protein than normal.

As far as micronutrients go, a lack of vit A, selenium and calcium are thought to cause prolapse. I make sure to offer something rich in beta-carotene daily for vit A and sunflower seeds for selenium and, of course, calcium free choice.