Subcutaneous fluids in birds?

[Susan Skylark]

Getting fluid into a shocky/dehydrated patient is often life saving (human and animal). If oral fluid therapy isn’t an option, injecting fluid under the skin is a great option for emergency or at home treatment if intravenous fluids aren’t an option (at least in certain species, especially cats and dogs). How about in poultry? Humans and horses are usually poor candidates due to very tight muscle/skin attachment (very little space for fluid to go!). Is chicken skin too fragile? Is bruising or secondary infection a huge issue? Any experience with this? Thanks!

 

[AGeese]

My vet gave fluids to one of my hens once, but I have no idea how they did it. Is there a reason behind this?

 

[Susan Skylark]

Fluids (subQ, oral, or intravenous) are given to replace fluid loss and provide normal fluid needs when the animal isn’t taking in enough (or is losing them excessively) on their own. Think IV drip in the hospital. It can be life saving in a shocky or dehydrated patient. Hospitalized creatures often get an IV fluid administration but this can be difficult or impossible in the field, at home, or emergency situations. Money is often an issue as it costs hundred to hospitalize a critter for a day while an owner can be easily trained to administer fluids under the skin at home (parvovirus in puppies) to a whole litter for over a week for far less cost. Just wondering if it is even an option in birds.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Getting fluid into a shocky/dehydrated patient is often life saving (human and animal). If oral fluid therapy isn’t an option, injecting fluid under the skin is a great option for emergency or at home treatment if intravenous fluids aren’t an option (at least in certain species, especially cats and dogs). How about in poultry? Humans and horses are usually poor candidates due to very tight muscle/skin attachment (very little space for fluid to go!). Is chicken skin too fragile? Is bruising or secondary infection a huge issue? Any experience with this? Thanks!

You may find this helpful.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ctures-of-a-deceased-plucked-chicken.1069290/