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

[manoa_moa]

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.

I just gave Gertrude a delightful snack of scrambled eggs, herbs, garlic and yogurt and she gobbled it up. Then I checked her vent and it was completely clear!! I am assuming no need for calcium again today? I will continue to monitor her vent though over the next few days and give more high protein food. I am feeling relieved!

 

[azygous]

No need for further calcium. She's cleared her obstruction, whatever it was. This is a perfect way to start a new year!

 

[manoa_moa]

No need for further calcium. She's cleared her obstruction, whatever it was. This is a perfect way to start a new year!

I just cleaned the dropboard and found what I think is a suspicious poop, given those yellow and green areas. I do feed the chickens greens fairly often (which could explain the green color), but other poops on the dropboard did't have the same coloration; this was one was obviously different. I'm worried that this could mean something is still going on with Gertrude. She went into the egg box two days ago and sat for a while but never laid anything. Should I be concerned? Her vent remains clear but there is some yellowish poop residue below it (like a similar shade to that in this photo).

 

[azygous]

How is her behavior other than sitting unproductively in a nest? It's possible her obstruction was a ruptured egg from that yellow substance. When I see that, I assume an egg has broken inside the hen and bacteria immediately grows in it. So it probably would be wise to start her on a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin.

 

[manoa_moa]

How is her behavior other than sitting unproductively in a nest? It's possible her obstruction was a ruptured egg from that yellow substance. When I see that, I assume an egg has broken inside the hen and bacteria immediately grows in it. So it probably would be wise to start her on a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin.

She is acting normally. She might be eating less of her layer feed than normal but I don't watch her 24/7 and I know she is excited about all the snacks I bring.

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. Could that work?

 

[azygous]

Yes, you can use that. It's a good one for this purpose.

 

[manoa_moa]

Yes, you can use that. It's a good one for this purpose.

Okay, this morning Gertrude was drinking a ton of water, and I just saw this on the dropboard. I am now convinced that she isn't out of the woods. I am worried about giving her the expired antibiotics so will try to obtain some fresh (unless we think its not a problem with the Baytril I described in my last post??) Is there anything else I can do for her??

 

[azygous]

Your antibiotic is still effective. The expiration date can effectively be ignored for a good length of time before it stops working. I've used an expired antibiotic with good effect years after it expired. From the looks of that yellow poop, she has an active infection in her reproductive tract.

How is her crop doing?

 

[manoa_moa]

Your antibiotic is still effective. The expiration date can effectively be ignored for a good length of time before it stops working. I've used an expired antibiotic with good effect years after it expired. From the looks of that yellow poop, she has an active infection in her reproductive tract.

How is her crop doing?

Her crop feels squishy and full of liquid. I will get her going on the Baytril then. How much should I be dosing her with? The bottle says 'Baytril 22.7 mg/ml' and says to do 1ml orally 2x a day for 10 days.

I also have Meloxicam for pain relief and anti inflammation. Bottle says 0.7 ml every 12 hours. Should I also give this?

I just spoke with someone at a feed store who thought I should check to see if she is egg bound. I am wondering if it this is a possibility; I don't want to stress her out further though. While she has been pooping, it has not been very much (but whether that is because there is an obstruction or if because she is sick and not eating much, that is the question?)

 

[azygous]

Have you been giving her calcium tablets for possible egg binding? If not, it can't hurt. That's all you need to do to cover that possibility.