swelling around vent?

[chickensinchapelhill]

First time posting a question...we have a 2.5 year old Rhode Island Red who has always been healthy. She is possibly still laying (if she's not, a hen her same age is) and she appears to have swelling below the vent that is hard, large & symmetrical. We thought it might be an egg and so we tried (b/c she seems so uncomfortable and has been for about a week) to manually clear the vent. It almost feels like an egg is in there but unreachable. The bird is lethargic but still mobile; she's definitely lost some weight. We (gently) cleared a 1.5 inch yellow, fatty mass (that's the best description I've got; sorry to be graphic) and then some liquid poop, and then some granular poop (but not much). Her condition is unchanged. Her crop feels empty but that may be b/c she hasn't been eating much. Would appreciate any insight or recommendations ...

 

[Blue_Myst]

First of all,

I'm sorry that your first post has to be under such dire circumstances!

How is her vent overall? I mean, is there anything "hanging out" or such besides the swelling below it?

The yellow, fatty mass reminded me of something called egg yolk peritonitis. I think it is usually internally though, but here is a thread if you want to check that out: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=15413

The best thing you can do right now is get her on supportive care. Plain yogurt, perhaps a warm bath. If she isn't drinking, dribble water on the side of her beak, and she should drink on her own. Do not force the water down her throat, it may end up going into the lungs.

I hope she gets well soon! Here's a friendly neighborhood thread bump at any rate!

 

[chickensinchapelhill]

Thanks so much for your reply. We did try dribbling yogurt into her beak and she ate a bit yesterday but sadly, she died during the night. It does sound like it might have been peritonitis, especially b/c of the rubbery mass that was expelled. Her vent was clean (with nothing hanging out) but we had gently washed it all week b/c she was dirty and a little smelly. We had thought we were dealing with a sour crop but realized too late that it was something more.

 

[Blue_Myst]

I'm so sorry to hear that!

Peritonitis is very hard to get rid of, and sometimes you can't get rid of it at all. You did all that you could

 

[chickensinchapelhill]

Thanks. She was a favorite.