Sick 2 yo hen - Help!

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

I'm thinking this began some yesterday but we were not home enough to really pick up on the signs of her slowing down. Today, lights are on but nobody is home. Barely moves. Standing like she's almost sleeping (very "square"), stomach feels hard & bloated, her cloaca (sp?) area is very dirty and her breathing is labored.

We isolated her just now to a quiet dog crate on our porch because one of the other hens just tried to take her out with pulling on the comb and then kicking with feet. So, they notice something is wrong too.

She hasn't laid but 3 eggs since molting in September. Nothing recently. I did start the girls under lights about a month ago. The others are laying regularly again.

I have given her some colloidal silver on a piece of bread, so she is eating; albeit, slow and uncoordinated.

We think she'll probably pass soon. Any ideas or advice?

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

We did a banana/water mixture on bread to encourage her to rehydrate. She took one bite and stopped. What would you do if she were egg bound?

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

Ok, my local friend suggested mineral oil, which I didn't have, but am adding olive oil onto oats and making a mash with the soaked bread. She's eating a few bites and then resting again. Thankful she has some appetite still.

 

[Eggcessive]

Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis are very common in hens that age and older. Cancer of the reproductive tract can also be common. Her symptoms of not moving much, bloated hard abdomen, slowing down, labored breathing, and not laying may be signs of those. Ascites or fluid in the belly can be a complication of EYP, as well as heart failure. Here are some links to read:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

Sadly, I think this may be it. Thank you for bring me up to speed on such a medical issue.

 

[Eggcessive]

It can be hard to do a necropsy on a pet, but sometimes it helps to see what the problems are internally. In hens with EYP or internal laying, many will euthanize them to prevent any suffering. Sometimes antibiotics may give them some time and make it more comfortable.

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

She died. We did not bother to necropsy her. It was sometime through the night. I'm fairly certain your diagnosis was correct from the links you provided. Thanks anyhow.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

Thanks. I realize some people have many chickens but we truly are backyard chicken folks. Everyone has a name and gets special treatment. I'm pretty thankful I didn't have to euthanize her and that it looked like she was peacefully sleeping.