Sick 4-month-old Leghorn pullet; can't diagnose what's wrong

[GA Sweets]

If you have got liquids out of her crop then there is no chance of gas being trapped in there so I'm wondering if it could be a air sac underneath her crop that is putting pressure on the crop outlet from underneath and causing it to be blocked. If you really feel there is an air/gas bubble, I would be inclined to get a sterile hypodermic needle and sterilize the area and try to deflate it. If it is gas, the needle alone without a syringe attached will be best, so that the pressure of it can regulate how fast it is released. It is very difficult to imagine what someone else is seeing and feeling but if your gut feeling is that it is gaseous and not fluid, then I can only see benefit in releasing it and to be honest, you have very little to lose, because she will die if you don't do something to get things moving through her system or get her to a vet.
I wonder if she has had some trauma to the chest/neck a while ago that has caused an air sac to develop under the skin. The dark colour you describe might tie in with that. I would probably insert the needle as near the top of the "bubble" as possible and only far enough to puncture it.... If the needle is long, push it through a cork, so that you cannot go too deep.... obviously, make sure the whole lot has been sterilized.
Good luck and please keep us posted. Will be keeping fingers crossed for you.

If it is an air sac that needs to be deflated, would I be able to see liquid in her crop through her skin?

 

[rebrascora]

Can you post a photo? Is it definitely her crop that you are seeing fluid in. Whilst it is sometimes possible to make out grains in the crop, particularly in younger chicks, I'm not quite sure how you would know you were seeing fluid. And I am having difficulty understanding how you are seeing fluid but feeling air/gas? Are there two pouches/balloons?....

 

[GA Sweets]

The best way I can describe it is like a water balloon that is onlt half full of water. You can see the water line through the skin. She won't let me get good picture of this, but I was able to get a video of her after the Epsom salt treatment this morning.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMPZJkgIvchDH5y7izTX7ysRB3L9JP4mi0kL5zh

 

[rebrascora]

Unfortunately that link isn't working for me, but generally you would not be able to see a fluid level in the crop as it is not sufficiently translucent.
Can anyone else see the video? I'm just getting a 404 error.

 

[GA Sweets]

Unfortunately that link isn't working for me, but generally you would not be able to see a fluid level in the crop as it is not sufficiently translucent.
Can anyone else see the video? I'm just getting a 404 error.

Ok, so if the fluid I'm seeing isn't in her crop, but is subcutaneous, would puncturing the skin to release the air be a good idea?

 

[GA Sweets]

I've uploaded it to Youtube, here is the link:

Here are some more pics of the air sac and the discoloration:

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
I can see the video and photos now. She is very sick and I would doubt she will survive much longer, so I would say you have nothing to lose by puncturing it unless going to the vet with her is an option, but even so, I doubt she would make it.
It's difficult to make out, but that discoloured pouch you are showing seems to be more on her left whereas her crop should be on the right, but without being able to see her head in the photo, it's hard to orientate what I'm looking at. I really think if there is a bubble/pouch that feels like an inflated balloon and contains fluid and air where it shouldn't be then I would drain it of both. It will either give her some instant relief if it is putting pressure on other organs or the shock of it will kill her. I personally would do it, because I really think you have nothing to lose, but you can't afford to delay if you are going to do it because she is getting to the point (she may have even reached it) where her body has started to shut down and then often they won't eat even when a blockage has been removed.

If you puncture it and drain it and she gets better you will feel great.... it is an amazing feeling to have intervened and saved a life, but if you don't do anything or drain it and she goes into shock you are going to feel really sad because she will die.... but better to try and fail as not to try at all in my opinion. I have failed to take action in the past and a chicken died a very unpleasant death because I didn't have the courage to intervene (ascites and internal laying) and I still bitterly regret it. I learned a lesson from that and the next time I needed to act (crop surgery due to an impaction) I psyched myself up and went for it and it felt absolutely amazing to have achieved a success.....although whilst I was operating I thought she had died several times and my heart was in my mouth. I would certainly not advocate invasive action unless there is no hope.

Good luck and please let us know one way or the other. It is a decision only you can make because she is your chicken and you can see and feel the situation. There can be no judgement of your decision except by you, as none of us are there to see things as you see them.

Best wishes to you

Barbara

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi
I can see the video and photos now. She is very sick and I would doubt she will survive much longer, so I would say you have nothing to lose by puncturing it unless going to the vet with her is an option, but even so, I doubt she would make it.
It's difficult to make out, but that discoloured pouch you are showing seems to be more on her left whereas her crop should be on the right, but without being able to see her head in the photo, it's hard to orientate what I'm looking at. I really think if there is a bubble/pouch that feels like an inflated balloon and contains fluid and air where it shouldn't be then I would drain it of both. It will either give her some instant relief if it is putting pressure on other organs or the shock of it will kill her. I personally would do it, because I really think you have nothing to lose, but you can't afford to delay if you are going to do it because she is getting to the point (she may have even reached it) where her body has started to shut down and then often they won't eat even when a blockage has been removed.

If you puncture it and drain it and she gets better you will feel great.... it is an amazing feeling to have intervened and saved a life, but if you don't do anything or drain it and she goes into shock you are going to feel really sad because she will die.... but better to try and fail as not to try at all in my opinion. I have failed to take action in the past and a chicken died a very unpleasant death because I didn't have the courage to intervene (ascites and internal laying) and I still bitterly regret it. I learned a lesson from that and the next time I needed to act (crop surgery due to an impaction) I psyched myself up and went for it and it felt absolutely amazing to have achieved a success.....although whilst I was operating I thought she had died several times and my heart was in my mouth. I would certainly not advocate invasive action unless there is no hope.

Good luck and please let us know one way or the other. It is a decision only you can make because she is your chicken and you can see and feel the situation. There can be no judgement of your decision except by you, as none of us are there to see things as you see them.

Best wishes to you

Barbara

I'm so sorry - she is very sick I agree with Barbara on all counts, you can try draining it and see what happens. Even if you do lose her, you will know you tried everything you could.
Please keep us posted.

 

[GA Sweets]

UPDATE - Apparently, leaving her alone for two days did the trick. The "air/water balloon" on her chest has all but disappeared. She is beginning to act more like a healthy chicken, i.e.- preening her feathers, cleaning her beak on the ground, pecking at the ground. However, I am still having ahard time getting her to eat and drink a normal amount. She's still a little wobbly on her feet, and still likes to sleep a lot, but there are definite signs of improvement. I will search the site for advice on getting her to eat again. Thank you for all your help, BYC!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad to hear that she is making improvements.

You can try offering her wet feed along with a little egg to see if she will eat for you. Drinking is always the most important, but giving her nutritionally balanced poultry feed is best if you can get her to eat it.
Thanks for the update.