sick chickie

[casportpony]

I believe that is the "good" color. If it's darker, it's probably loaded with bacteria, but I can't say for sure... Can you find any info that shows and/or tells where to drain from?

 

[cowcreekgeek]

Beyond the possibility that this is the result of EYP, which may have caused an infection which may have resulted in a temporary accumulation that could be absorbed eventually, cafarmgirl has made an excellent point ... for certain, I'd not consider takin' any that definitively suffered such a condition to a veterinarian. But, then again? I wouldn't personally take *any* chicken to one, most esp. if it were due to some genetic deficiency or the result of disease.

There's an article on here that'd be worth lookin' through, as I'm sure there are many shared experiences and useful links contained therein, and I'd be glad to try 'n track down additional resources ...

:: edit :: ... but it's hard to get to w/o the link (sorry ~'-)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/638821/ascites-swollen-squishy-abdomen-with-pics-video-page-9

:: /edit ::

 

[cowcreekgeek]

I believe that is the "good" color. If it's darker, it's probably loaded with bacteria, but I can't say for sure... Can you find any info that shows and/or tells where to drain from?

Every time I think I have, it either leads back to that same thread on BYC, or suggests the requirement for guiding the needle w/ the use of ultrasound equipment, which sorta makes sense. Although, I'da guessed that you could make a small opening of a specific depth, followed by a blunt needle or catheter of some type ... but, I'm sure the chicken's glad I ain't anywhere nearby.

 

[jkulp00]

From what i was reading if the fluid is clear but pale yellow that indicates cancer and if it is cloudy and eggy colored that indicates EYP. I just fed her and she really was a pain in the butt this morning, flapping her wings and trying to get out of the towel i wrap her in. I gave her another shot of antibiotics and about 60 cc of food so far today. She pooped a lot last night and it is almost normal consistency but still has a lot of yellow and white in it, mixed with brown. If i saw this poop alone I wouldn't be too concerned but she is literally not eating or drinking one thing that I don't give her via syringe. I feel like her abdomen was a little softer this morning but definitely still feeling too full. Yesterday it was sort of warm and sunny here for a december day and while I cleaned out her cage i let her walk around outside for a bit. She scratched at the ground and tried to eat a bit of crushed eggshell, and also drank a little out of a puddle created by the hose I was using to clean her cage,but shows no interest whatsoever in food or drink that i provide in her crate.

 

[jkulp00]

well i think the end is near she slept almost all day today which she has never done, laying in a shoebox lined with towels on my lap. I brought her inside and petted her most of the day but her face is very pale and she hasn't eaten anything. Her poop is back to being very watery and yellow with a few black solids and her poor belly is so distended. If she makes it through the night I may have to put her down tomorrow. So sad for my chickie but so much appreciate everyone's advice throughout this ordeal, I have learned a lot about chicken ailments and anatomy and will be better prepared next time around.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

well i think the end is near she slept almost all day today which she has never done, laying in a shoebox lined with towels on my lap. I brought her inside and petted her most of the day but her face is very pale and she hasn't eaten anything. Her poop is back to being very watery and yellow with a few black solids and her poor belly is so distended. If she makes it through the night I may have to put her down tomorrow. So sad for my chickie but so much appreciate everyone's advice throughout this ordeal, I have learned a lot about chicken ailments and anatomy and will be better prepared next time around.

Sorry she didn't respond to treatment, but you've given her every reasonable chance. You may find that just lettin' her shut down might be the more gentle option ... for both of you. And, if it's gotta be done? Let somebody that isn't so emotionally involved take care of her on your behalf ... it's somethin' folks like me don't mind doin' for others, so they ain't gotta deal w/ it. And, again ... really sorry she didn't get better.

 

[jkulp00]

Thank you

 

[jkulp00]

Ok so i was prepared for the worst yesterday morning, thought I would go out to find her dead or in need of being put down quickly. Instead what I found was a very chatty hen who had pooped a whole bunch of normal looking poop and was standing around bright eyed but still with a full feeling belly and full feeling crop. I decided to discontinue syringe feedings and she what she did on her own. Today when I went out I discovered her crop was empty, she had pooped a lot more and she had eaten a whole bunch of mealworms out of a cup that i had left for her. She hadn't touched food i didn't syringe feed her for almost a week! So that's the good news. I gave her more mealworms in the cup and went out for a while, upon return she had eaten all of the mealworms and i believe she drank some water too which she hadn't done for a week. The belly is still distended and her skin seems very dry (probably from dehydration) her comb is also noticeably darker and more flopped over than yesterday. I cant believe she started eating on her own and pooping normally though! I gave her 50 cc of mash boosted with electrolytes and probiotics and her third dose of flubevent....she was so feisty, squawking at me and actually escaped from the towel i had her wrapped in which she has not tried to do once since this ordeal began. I guess only time will tell.... if only her comb and belly looked better I might be really optimistic....

 

[jkulp00]

The other thing is that, at no point, has she had any trouble walking or unusual gait, or spent time laying down except for the other day when she was inside with me... If she had EYP wouldn't she be exhibiting those symptoms?

 

[cowcreekgeek]

I'm note sure, as there's so many other possible explanations for what initially triggered the symptoms, and what exactly is causing the distention. There's a thread [warning: slightly graphic photos] in which casportpony and another share photos of masses removed from w/in hens at necropsy, which may be helpful in some way -- sorry for seeming to answer questions with even more possibilities, but ... I really have no easy answer(s) to point you towards.

The rather fascinating ... whatever they are ... can be found here.

The fact that she's struggling to get free is indicative of some improvement, even if there's possibly still somethin' wrong )-;~