Puffy swollen stomach

[jimjan]

Hi all, I have 11 golden comets, and two days ago I noticed one of them was puffy all over and moving a bit slow. The next day she was still this way so I did so.e research on this forum and checked her vent and found no egg stuck. Vent looks clean and moist. I also noticed her belly is pretty swollen but soft. She's ate a bit yesterday but noticed today she was slow leaving the coop, and still just kind of sitting there closing her eyes every once in A while. She can walk albeit slow. I was getting ready to put to put her down but wanted to do a last ditch effort to see if I'm missing anything

 

[PirateGirl]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock ?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all, I have 11 golden comets, and two days ago I noticed one of them was puffy all over and moving a bit slow. The next day she was still this way so I did so.e research on this forum and checked her vent and found no egg stuck. Vent looks clean and moist. I also noticed her belly is pretty swollen but soft. She's ate a bit yesterday but noticed today she was slow leaving the coop, and still just kind of sitting there closing her eyes every once in A while. She can walk albeit slow. I was getting ready to put to put her down but wanted to do a last ditch effort to see if I'm missing anything

Hi @jimjan I'm sorry to hear about your hen.

Can you post some photos of your hen and her poop?
A swollen belly sounds like it could be a reproductive problem - Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, tumors, Internal Laying and Salpingitis can be common in laying hens. Some symptoms include loose dropping that may have yellow or look "eggy", crop issues, difficulty walking, lethargy, going off feed and sometimes labored breathing.

Getting a fecal float to check for worms and coccidiosis is always a good idea.

You can offer her supportive care through soaking her in a warm epsom salts bath if she is not too lethargic and making her comfortable. See that she drinking and staying hydrated. If there is fluid in the abdomen, short term relief can sometimes be achieved with draining. Antibiotics are sometimes used to give temporary relief and support as well.

If you happen to lose her or put her down, getting a necrospy will give you answers. Refrigerate the body and send it to your state lab
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-animal-health-laboratory-services.shtml
You can also perform your own informal necropsy if that is something you are willing to do to see if you notice anything unusual. Look in the abdomen, at the internal organs and reproductive system - if you do that, take photos and post them, we will try to help you with what you see.

 

[Eggcessive]

Wyorp Rock has said everything I would have and more. How old is your hen? Has she laid any eggs recently? Sadly, many hens will suffer from reproductive problems. I would also check her crop to see if it is empty and flat, full, doughy, hard, or puffy like a balloon. The crop should be empty first thing in the morning before she eats or there can be a crop problem. Check her abdomen under her vent to make sure that she does not have any lice or mites.

 

[jimjan]

Thanks all for the feedback. It broke my heart to do but I put her down this morning. We were going on day three today of barely moving, not eating and barely drinking Her stomach seemed a bit bigger, still mushy not hard. I just couldn't bare the thought that she was in pain, so put her down. I know its quick and apparently painless, but I just would rather not do that again and use a gas method if there is a humane way. As far as preserving to find out exactly what was wrong with her, no just didn't have the stomach for it. Again, appreciate the feedback.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss. You do her a favor so she would not suffer. Doing a necropsy can be hard, especially the first few times. But it helps us to understand the problems they can suffer from, and sometimes gives some closure, especially if you are not sure you are doing the right thing. I understand why you didn’t though. It tool me awhile and a few deaths before I did my first. We usually take pictures to post here, and it helps others in case they do a necropsy.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks all for the feedback. It broke my heart to do but I put her down this morning. We were going on day three today of barely moving, not eating and barely drinking Her stomach seemed a bit bigger, still mushy not hard. I just couldn't bare the thought that she was in pain, so put her down. I know its quick and apparently painless, but I just would rather not do that again and use a gas method if there is a humane way. As far as preserving to find out exactly what was wrong with her, no just didn't have the stomach for it. Again, appreciate the feedback.

I'm sorry for your loss
You did the right thing to end her suffering.
I too understand not performing a necropsy, it can be hard to do especially if they are a pet. I hope the rest of your flock is happy and healthy for a long time.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Thanks all for the feedback. It broke my heart to do but I put her down this morning. We were going on day three today of barely moving, not eating and barely drinking Her stomach seemed a bit bigger, still mushy not hard. I just couldn't bare the thought that she was in pain, so put her down. I know its quick and apparently painless, but I just would rather not do that again and use a gas method if there is a humane way. As far as preserving to find out exactly what was wrong with her, no just didn't have the stomach for it. Again, appreciate the feedback.

So sorry for your loss.
It was kind of you to end her suffering. Not easy we all understand. The water belly or belly bloat is typical of a hen who has reproductive issues. You can’t prevent these issues so it’s not as if you could of done something differently. They just happen.
You showed your hen loving kindness no matter how difficult it was for you.
It’s hard at times to be a responsible pet owner but I commended you for your strength. May your heart find peace.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm sorry for your loss. I recently lost a hen to similar problems. When it is obvious they are suffering, know that you have done what is best for her by setting her at peace. Fortunately this is not likely anything that can infect the rest of the flock and is generally an isolated incident.