Sick bird

[casportpony]

Here is one that I did:
Hen was cleaned with Chlorhexidine, had a 1" 18 gauge needle inserted and I syringed out about 500 ml of fluid.

 

[casportpony]

This is one that died while I was prepping to drain her. I'm guessing that the pressure of the fluid on her heart and lungs is what killed her:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...scites-and-eyp-very-graphic-necropsy-pictures

-Kathy

 

[LaylaFlora]

Quick update. No egg yet, but she is more lively this morning. She ate about a third cup of layer pelllets from my hand. She won't drink though and the dropper is messy.

I have the syringe out and on the counter, just waiting for my husband to come home to help hold her while I drain her.

 

[LaylaFlora]

This is one that died while I was prepping to drain her. I'm guessing that the pressure of the fluid on her heart and lungs is what killed her:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...scites-and-eyp-very-graphic-necropsy-pictures

-Kathy

Thanks for the picks. Sorry to hear of your loss

My chicken is not this swollen...yet. So perhaps there is hope
Were all her feathers lost like that before hand or did they fall out from the pressure of the swelling? My chicken has not lost any feathers.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Mine was missing quite a few, but I think I plucked the rest out after she died.

-Kathy

 

[LaylaFlora]

Today's update: Blackie is in the same condition as she has been. I was able to drain a very small amount of straw colored fluid out of her (it was a LOT more difficult than I anticipated).

She did take a HUGE, very stinky double poop this evening. Again it was very dark brown but not cecal poop. She still won't drink and ate only about a teaspoon today

Besides those facts she does seem cozy and comfortable...

 

[hennible]

Hmmm... Seems constipated hey? and not drinking isn't helping her of course... A toxin flush ( Epsom salts ) or maybe olive oil... Sub Q fluids... Just brain storming

 

[casportpony]

There might be some type of mass in her belly.

-Kathy

 

[LaylaFlora]

Update, not much of an update. Blackie pooped 2 days in a row and it was looking more normal but still ultra stinky. She seemed more up and lively. She actually walked out of the dog crate on her own and ran from me when I tried to pick her up.

Anyway, yesterday I put her back in the run with the flock and she went straight to the water. She is still moving slower but she is no longer ruffled up with closed eyes. This morning she ate

So, while she's not all the way better she seems to be recuperating. I'll update again when she's recovered or if anything changes. Thanks for all the advice and support everyone!

 

[LaylaFlora]

Update for anyone who may find this someday and wonder what happened:

No changes with Blackie. She's acting normal now but hasn't layed an egg and still has waterbelly. She seems happy so I'm letting her enjoy life. I'll update again if/when she croaks.