Swollen abdomen, another hen showing symptoms

[laceylou]

Hello! Last week we lost one of our laying hens. I noticed she was just standing around, hunched with ruffled feathers. Her comb was floppy. When I picked her up, a bunch of fluid came out of her mouth. I quickly researched on here in all of the areas that pertained to her symptoms and thought it was sour crop at first and was able to get a lot of fluid out by inducing vomiting. I gave her probiotics and olive oil after reading about it. Her bottom was coated in greenish droppings. I kept her inside in a crate and she passed the next day. I also thought it could be egg peritonitis since she passed quickly...Several days (5 maybe) later, another girl is showing the EXACT same symptoms....one additional symptom is I noticed scabby lesions on her comb. They are both Golden Sex-Links and were best buddies. I was hoping it was an isolated situation, but it appears not. We have four more and three other Easter Eggers. No symptoms in the others. I've researched Lyphoid leukosis? I have no idea what to do...unfortunately we do not have a vet around here that treats chickens. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Egg yolk peritonitis is very common in hens, and the most common cause of death. How does the crop feel, and does it empty overnight? Is her lower belly full, spongy, or tight ike a drum? Can you post a picking of the comb scabs? Pecking may be the cause, but if we can see it, we could rule out fowl pox. Here is some info on egg yolk peritonitis:
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/

 

[laceylou]

The first hen that passed, her crop felt very full and unusually squishy. Her belly felt like it was very full of water, same with this second hen. Could the egg peritonitis be the cause in the second hen too? So close together with the first death and now this second hen within a week? I don't know if they had the same parents, but were in the same bin at the farm store when bought as chicks. Here is a picture of her comb. Ok, the so called lesions seemed to be egg yolk

I dropped one earlier out there....so, no new symptoms apart from the first hen. Swollen abdomen that feels really full, droopy appearance. It does feel very tight. I can't feel her crop at all, unlike the first hen that passed. Here is a pic of her bottom. I'll clean it off, then looks like this again. She just stands there like in the pic or she wobbles and falls down...

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[Eggcessive]

Ascites is a condition where there is fluid in the lower belly. It can be from heart or liver failure, and sometimes it occurs with egg yolk peritonitis. Draining the belly occasionally may help relieve pain and pressure, but it does not cure the disease. Your hen that died may have had sour crop, or her crop just may not have been emptying properly since she was sick from another problem. The 2 articles above are helpful to read. Here aare some other threads that may be helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/362422/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10/0_50
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/195347/my-ivy-latest-relapse-shes-gone/0_50
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance

 

[laceylou]

Thank you so much eggsessive! I really appreciate your response. Do you think it's worth it to drain the belly? I've given one a round of antibiotics before via syringe, so I think I could do it....

 

[Eggcessive]

If she is really full and tight, and having labored breathing, it might help her. Casportpony and Speckledhen have done it to their hens, and those links were some of theirs or included their posts. Occasionally some hens have died after being drained, so their are risks. Casportpony uses 14-16 gauge needles to drain hens, I think. The lower the number, the larger the lumen, so fluid comes out easier. Some people pull it out with a syringe, while some remove the syringe and let the fluid drip our through the needle. Give water with electrolytes and vitamins afterward. I am not a vet, and a vet might be a better person to do the draining.

 

[laceylou]

Thank you! I was getting ready to attempt to try it and was washing off her poopy bottom and was aghast to see a slimy, gray area above her vent that was pouring out maggots....needless to say I didn't drain...I tried to remove all the maggots I could and washed her with soap and peroxide. I wonder if that's why?....so awful. Thinking I'll get her started on an antibiotic asap and take care of that abscess...

 

[laceylou]

So guessing it's fly strike....our first hen that passed last week had a very normal, moist pink vent. Nothing abnormal looking there. This one, yes....

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, fly strike is really dangerous if there are flies out, and a poopy vent area. I would do a daily wash of her bottom with chlorhexidene, betadine, or Epsom salts and make sure all the maggots are out. Dish (Dawn, Palmolive) soap works as well. This will also flush the wound. Then apply plain neosporin ointment will also will help smother any remaining maggots. Here is some reading:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/07/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...autionary-tale-with-graphic-photo-progression

 

[laceylou]

Great, thank you! I really do appreciate your correspondence. Hoping this has been the cause of her distress. Seems treatable with diligence.