Severe Prolapse (and Abnormal Eggs)

[Poppy Putentake]

Hi all,

Today my almost two-year-old Golden Comet (almost) suddenly developed a very large prolapse -- about the size of an apple, and bright red. My impression is that the tissues are engorged with blood. The prolapsed tissues look like two ducts side by side -- I presume the anus on the right and the oviduct on the left.

I tried cleaning the hen up in warm water, then pushing everything back in, but it all just popped back out. After that I tried applying ice, which seemed to make the swelling a little less, but not enough and only temporarilly. Then I tried apllying sugar (said to decrease the swelling in other threads on this forum), but there was no noticable effect after several hours. I have now applied hydrocortisone cream. Does anyone have any suggestions?

My impression -- part of the problem may be that the tissues are swollen with blood due to the prolapse, which is part of what is keeping the prolapse from resolving. (Something like a human limb with a constricting tourniquet.) Could this be so? I am thinking that if there were a way to get the blood circulation to relax, that would help.

Some history: this hen was my earliest and most prolific layer last year. (The others all of different breeds). She started at 5 months, while the others waited until 7 months. However, while the others all started laying again this winter, this particular hen has only produced a very few, all abnormal, eggs -- a couple with no shell, only membrane, a couple more with very rough shells. She has also seemed to have a watery discharge from the vent sometimes. A few days ago, she seemed to have a small prolapse, but I just pushed it back in and applied a little hydorcortisone ointment, and she looked fine each time I checked her over the next few days. Today, however, she evidently laid an egg (slightly abnormal, and outside a nesting box) and prolapsed again.

Question about long-term prognosis -- does this hen seem likely to go back to laying regularly? I have read that the Golden Comet breed tends to burn out early in life, perhaps due to maturing so quickly.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Poppy

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Some people use preperation H.

Also a vent sling with a poo hole cut in it. Thing is after this every time she tries to push out an egg or even a poo it could happen again. For some it never does. But for too many it will.

I cull for it. And though it may be "more" likely in production breeds... it was a Silkie for me.

My guess is she will go back to laying unless you get her an implant so she won't. Long term prognosis is poor and she sounds like she is a week link in your flock with poor laying anyways. For the good of your whole flock, I will also suggest that you cull. It may actually be the humane thing to do for her as well... that sounds painful, troublesome, and likely to recur since it already has and worse.

Very sorry you face this. I think you did just about all you could.