Prolapsed vent/tumor/egg issue?! :( **with photos**

[manoa_moa]

Really concerned about our nearly 2 yr old Rhode Island Red hen, Gertrude - today I brought her into the shower for a butt bath as I noticed a slight poop buildup (hence why her feathers are wet in photos). When I was rinsing off the poop I then saw what appears to be a pale white fleshy growth of some sort hanging out of her cloaca. I did not pull on it, it feels firmly implanted in her & I did not want to harm her. She feels much more skinny than normal, though she is acting normally and is interested in food. Gertrude also pooped a weird poop on the bathroom floor so also attaching a photo of that here.
Could this be a prolapsed vent issue (though I was reading that would be more red)? A tumor? I don't think she has been laying; we have not had many eggs the past few weeks (I have also been out of town for the last 3 weeks so have not been able to closely monitor who has been laying). There was one incident of a soft egg that was laid 2 weeks ago that was reported by our house sitters. Please advise

I have Baytril (antibiotic) in the fridge; it says it expired in April after I got it in February but I have not opened it and it has stayed in the fridge since then.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@Eggcessive

@Wyorp Rock

@azygous

 

[azygous]

I sympathize with you. This is a tough situation. Although I can't be sure, just going on the little bit you've written here, I believe you have a stuck egg or some other oviduct obstruction. It's complex to treat. That's why I've written an article so all the information on how to treat is in one place to refer to. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

Right away, before reading the article, give this patient a calcium tablet. Whatever you have on hand. She needs a minimum of 500mg right away. Pop the pill or Tums into her beak. This will go to work right away to enhance her contractions and hopefully get the obstruction moving.

Be sure to provide planty of fresh water as this ordeal causes dehydration, and that makes it even harder to clear an obstruction when the tissues dry out.

By the way, what you're thinking may be a tumor is probably just inside tissue becoming visible. Don't try to mess with it. But do try to clean her butt below the vent when it gets messy.

 

[manoa_moa]

I sympathize with you. This is a tough situation. Although I can't be sure, just going on the little bit you've written here, I believe you have a stuck egg or some other oviduct obstruction. It's complex to treat. That's why I've written an article so all the information on how to treat is in one place to refer to. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

Right away, before reading the article, give this patient a calcium tablet. Whatever you have on hand. She needs a minimum of 500mg right away. Pop the pill or Tums into her beak. This will go to work right away to enhance her contractions and hopefully get the obstruction moving.

Be sure to provide planty of fresh water as this ordeal causes dehydration, and that makes it even harder to clear an obstruction when the tissues dry out.

By the way, what you're thinking may be a tumor is probably just inside tissue becoming visible. Don't try to mess with it. But do try to clean her butt below the vent when it gets messy.

Thank you for your speedy reply! Would Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D3 be okay? This is all I have on hand; it is 600 IU D3 and 1000mg of calcium per pill - I can split in half?! We have lots of water in a bucket w/ nipple waterers that they drink from, I just saw her drinking.

 

[azygous]

That happens to be the one I recommend as it works quickest. Pry open the beak and shove it in. She'll swallow it.

 

[manoa_moa]

That happens to be the one I recommend as it works quickest. Pry open the beak and shove it in. She'll swallow it.

Done! She's still perky as ever; comb is bright red. I'm assuming no need for antibiotics at this point? I am concerned that she seems more skinny than normal.

 

[azygous]

Get her through this ordeal and then feed her some protein like fish or shrimp a few times a week until the weight comes back.

No need for an antibiotic unless you see signs of a possible broken egg inside her. Usually if that happens, you see yellow discharge or if an egg does come out, it's collapsed. Then you will want to start her on an antibiotic to head off a reproductive tract infection.

 

[Sammster]

I sympathize with you. This is a tough situation. Although I can't be sure, just going on the little bit you've written here, I believe you have a stuck egg or some other oviduct obstruction. It's complex to treat. That's why I've written an article so all the information on how to treat is in one place to refer to. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

Right away, before reading the article, give this patient a calcium tablet. Whatever you have on hand. She needs a minimum of 500mg right away. Pop the pill or Tums into her beak. This will go to work right away to enhance her contractions and hopefully get the obstruction moving.

Be sure to provide planty of fresh water as this ordeal causes dehydration, and that makes it even harder to clear an obstruction when the tissues dry out.

By the way, what you're thinking may be a tumor is probably just inside tissue becoming visible. Don't try to mess with it. But do try to clean her butt below the vent when it gets messy.

Your article was both informative and scary. Thank you for sharing that!
Hoping for an excellent outcome for Gertrude. ♡
I also have a RIR named Gertie. She's our top-hen. Please keep us posted, Manoa

 

[manoa_moa]

Get her through this ordeal and then feed her some protein like fish or shrimp a few times a week until the weight comes back.

No need for an antibiotic unless you see signs of a possible broken egg inside her. Usually if that happens, you see yellow discharge or if an egg does come out, it's collapsed. Then you will want to start her on an antibiotic to head off a reproductive tract infection.

Okay, will do! Do you have a serving size recommendation? I always worry about giving too much protein. What about some scrambled eggs?

Since we did have that soft egg about a week and a half ago - I am thinking it was hers - so hopefully if there were an infection it would be apparent by now? And so I am deducing that what is coming out of her vent is part of the shell membrane? I will check it daily to see if it goes away. Do you recommend an epsom salt bath?

Should I keep giving the calcium over the next few days?

 

[azygous]

Give a calcium tablet each day she is still prolapsing. Moist heat is helpful, but a soak can cause extra stress she doesn't need. You can use filtered water or distilled water to spray on her vent area to keep the prolapse moist. It shouldn't be allowed to dry out.

Too much protein over a long period does cause chronic issues and should be avoided, but in small amounts two or three times a week, it won't hurt. Animal protein is great for putting weight back on. You won't be doing it for more than a few weeks.