Sick chicken, mass in abdomen

[ChickKeeper]

Hello,
So Peasblossom is a barred rock Birthday is in January so she is just under 4 years old. Earlier this week she wasn't acting right, then Tuesday her comb looked a little discolored and she had a lot of poop on her butt.
I took her to an avian vet, they did radiographs and an ultra sound and found a mass in her abdomen. No real details beyond that as to what it is. Bloodwork showed some abnormal cells so cancer is a possibility.
The specialist who can do the surgery doesn't have availability till Monday, which the vet seemed to think was ok waiting, but I am of course very concerned.

Her poops seem to be almost entirely urates and she has little appetite. She hasn't been eating much but food is going in (mostly live meal worms, and mash of her regular food).

They gave me less than 50/50 odds on her surviving surgery, but also said she was in better shape than most birds they attempt surgery on.

They gave her some antibiotics, and a couple other medicines to hopefuly help her crop empty, but they don't seem to be helping a ton. clavamox, meloxicam, metoclopramide.

Does anyone have any experience with abdominal masses/surgery?

 

[azygous]

I am so sorry about your hen. This is a very serious situation, and it doesn't look good for her.

I've had chickens with cancerous tumors, but I've never performed surgery on them until after they died. It's been my experience that cancer is rarely localized in a chicken. Organs are usually affected, and from what I've learned, surgery isn't very often successful in treating it.

Of equal concern is what is causing the tumors as it can have consequences for your flock if it's from a contagious avian virus. It may be the mass detected in your hen is from internal laying or another reproductive tract disorder. If that's the case, she may get another few years by cleaning out her abdominal cavity.

You will know once they do the surgery. I do recommend you ask them to do some tests to determine what's behind any tumors if that's what they find. You also should be ready to agree to euthanasia if the tumors are determined to be widespread. A necropsy following would answer all your questions about cause of illness and how it can affect your other chickens.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Sorry to hear your hen and y'all are going through this. Hopefully she pulls through & you get some answers. Keep us informed, do you have any photos of Peasblossom?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Bless your heart! I am sorry you are going through this, but you are so fortunate to have an avian vet. I hope all goes well for you and Peasblossom.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your hen. Unfortunately masses can be common in older hens, and may be cancer or reproductive disorders (internal laying, salpingitis, etc.) It would be hard to decide to put her through surgery, especially since chickens do no tolerate anesthesia well, and if it is malignant, chances are, it still may kill her. I would be inclined to medicate her, and get her eating, and keep her as comfortable as possible. Crops disorders from pressure on internal organs due to internal laying, ascites, and cancer are very hard to treat. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[ChickKeeper]

This is Peasblossom yesterday, she is hanging in there. Still trying to get her to eat more, she is barely interested in even her usual favorites.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 1950014
This is Peasblossom yesterday, she is hanging in there. Still trying to get her to eat more, she is barely interested in even her usual favorites.

Sorry to hear your hen is not well. Good suggestions from everyone.
In the photo it looks like she has a full, low crop - is her crop completely empty in the mornings before she eats/drinks? Often crop issues accompany reproductive problems.

 

[Eggcessive]

Her crop does look distended in the picture. The crop may not be emptying well overnight with her underlying condition. Can you feel of it early in the morning before she has anything to eat or drink, and describe if it feels empty, full, hard, doughy, or puffy?

 

[ChickKeeper]

Yeah, the crop hasn't been emptying properly. One of the medications is to help move things through, but it isn't completely successful.

The crop has been soft not empty, most of her calories have been a liquid food Emeraid IC Omnivore although I haven't gotten as much in her as the vet wanted because the crop isn't completely emptying.

We are taking her in for the surgery in the morning, she has a lot of fight still in her, and I feel like I have to at least give her a chance.

 

[CarpCharacin]

A discolored / floppy comb is a sign of poor circulation, in my experience.
How did the surgery go?