Prolapsed vent with a yellow lump?

[AwakeHen]

Hi all, just wondered if anyone can help please? My 2 year old Rhode Rock hybrid seems to have a prolapsed vent but one side of the lump is quite hard and yellow in colour - is that normal with a prolapse? We only noticed it about 4 days ago as she was not her usual self, and have given her daily epsom salt baths + vetericyn spray&honey around the vent, crushed oyster shell, probiotics etc. She's spent a few nights away in a crate and has been passing watery poos, but no egg as such. She was very broody a few months ago but thankfully recovered from it, not sure if this could be related?
The lump has come down a little and the inflammation seems to be under control, but the hard yellow lump is a concern. Any idea what it may be? Is it safe to push it in once the prolapse goes down a bit?

 

[picklestheduck]

Tagging some people who might be able to help you better.

@azygous
@Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

Practically all prolapses are caused by a stuck egg or other obstruction in the oviduct. The hen's body is trying so hard to expel the obstruction, a prolapse of the vent occurs. You may benefit from reading my article. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/ It has prolapse care instructions.

The yellow "lump" on the prolapse is alarming. It appears to be pus, and that indicates infection of that tissue. This hen should be on an oral antibiotic. Do you have any on hand? Even an old leftover prescription?

Debriding an infected wound is not easy and it's especially difficult on such delicate tissue. But as much of that pus needs to be removed as possible. Soak in warm Epsom salt water with a healthy squirt of Betadine or Dawn dish soap for twenty minutes. Then take a soft wash cloth and gently try to scrub away as much pus as possible. Then keep the vent coated with antibiotic ointment. It must not be allowed to dry out. Your use of honey has hopefully prevented this from happening.

You can try to push the prolapse back in but it probably won't stay until it retracts naturally after the hen expels the obstruction. To help in that endeavor, give your hen a calcium citrate tablet or Tums or any calcium you have on hand that's at least 500mg. Do this every day until the vent retracts. Shove the whole pill into her beak. She will swallow.

 

[AwakeHen]

Practically all prolapses are caused by a stuck egg or other obstruction in the oviduct. The hen's body is trying so hard to expel the obstruction, a prolapse of the vent occurs. You may benefit from reading my article. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/ It has prolapse care instructions.

The yellow "lump" on the prolapse is alarming. It appears to be pus, and that indicates infection of that tissue. This hen should be on an oral antibiotic. Do you have any on hand? Even an old leftover prescription?

Debriding an infected wound is not easy and it's especially difficult on such delicate tissue. But as much of that pus needs to be removed as possible. Soak in warm Epsom salt water with a healthy squirt of Betadine or Dawn dish soap for twenty minutes. Then take a soft wash cloth and gently try to scrub away as much pus as possible. Then keep the vent coated with antibiotic ointment. It must not be allowed to dry out. Your use of honey has hopefully prevented this from happening.

You can try to push the prolapse back in but it probably won't stay until it retracts naturally after the hen expels the obstruction. To help in that endeavor, give your hen a calcium citrate tablet or Tums or any calcium you have on hand that's at least 500mg. Do this every day until the vent retracts. Shove the whole pill into her beak. She will swallow.

Thank you for the link, that's a brilliant thread. Going to try and get hold of some calcium citrate and antibiotics. The yellow lump is quite firm and dry, almost as if it was stuck on, but seems to be fused with the prolapse?

 

[azygous]

It sounds like infected tissue. Remove anything that will come off but don't force it if it seems to be intact tissue and not pus. Pus is waxy and comes off with little effort.

Where do you live? If I knew that, I could help you try to find an over the counter antibiotic. Go back to your profile by clicking on your user name and fill in the info on location. It helps us help you in many ways.

 

[AwakeHen]

It sounds like infected tissue. Remove anything that will come off but don't force it if it seems to be intact tissue and not pus. Pus is waxy and comes off with little effort.

Where do you live? If I knew that, I could help you try to find an over the counter antibiotic. Go back to your profile by clicking on your user name and fill in the info on location. It helps us help you in many ways.

Thank you, I'll give it a go first thing tomorrow. I'm in Surrey, UK by the way

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Possibly the yellow is a lash egg, I'd try treating as a stuck egg with prolapse.

 

[AwakeHen]

Possibly the yellow is a lash egg, I'd try treating as a stuck egg with prolapse.

Thanks for the advice. When I rubbed a bit of the yellow lump off earlier, there was a bit of white stuff underneath (a bit like dried up cottage cheese), so maybe the lash egg got stuck inside and she's been straining to get rid of it?
I've put some hydrocortisone on for the night, and should get calcium citrate and brulidine cream delivered tomorrow so fingers crossed! Really hope she pulls through.

 

[AwakeHen]

Possibly the yellow is a lash egg, I'd try treating as a stuck egg with prolapse.

You were spot on about it being a lash egg. After a long warm bath, I managed to get most of it off, apart from a little bit of the outer skin was quite firmly attached to the prolapse (I didn't want to risk damaging the tissue/getting another infection). I've flushed the vent out with a bulb syringe and coated everything with brulidine. The prolapse itself has retracted straight away so hopefully she'll recover. How long would you normally apply the antibiotics for?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You were spot on about it being a lash egg. After a long warm bath, I managed to get most of it off, apart from a little bit of the outer skin was quite firmly attached to the prolapse (I didn't want to risk damaging the tissue/getting another infection). I've flushed the vent out with a bulb syringe and coated everything with brulidine. The prolapse itself has retracted straight away so hopefully she'll recover. How long would you normally apply the antibiotics for?

Glad you were able to get that out, she may end up passing more, so I would definitely start giving her Calcium Citrate with D3. 1 tablet daily, just pull down on the wattles, pop it into her beak and let her swallow.

If the tissue has all retracted and is staying in, then the ointment may not be necessary.
I would however try to source an oral antibiotic to help with infection. Amoxicillin would be a good choice. Since you are in the UK, likely you would need a script, I don't think you can get anything OTC.