Swollen abdomen for a while

[ElectricLeaf]

Hello, I have 4 chickens, 3 gold sex links, and one black sex link. One of my gold one's has had a swollen abdomen now for a couple months and I'm still puzzled when trying to diagnose it. And last week, another hen got a swollen abdomen. And now today, the final gold did. The black one is fine. They are all in the same environment with the same diet. Is it a genetic disease? I'm confused how that one has survived for so long since every option I found gave them only a week or two to live. They seem fairly fine except they have stopped laying and one of them has to raise their head a bit to breathe when laying down. I have no clue what is going on.

 

[coach723]

How old are they? Reproductive problems including cancers, infections and internal laying, are not uncommon, particularly in breeds that lay lots of eggs (sex links are in that group). Birds over the age of two are where it most commonly hits. A swollen abdomen and stopping laying are often the most common symptoms. If the abdomen feels full of fluid, water balloon like, that is usually ascites, an indication that the liver is not doing well and leaking fluid into the abdomen, and it's a symptom of another underlying condition. If it's very hard/firm that can indicate salpingitis or internal laying and a build up of infectious matter in the abdomen. A very fat bird can have a large abdomen and will feel similar to ascites, but a bit mushier. Hard to explain, but it does feel a bit different. And a fat bird can have plenty of health problems. For ascites, also called water belly, some will drain the fluid and it will provide the bird some relief and make them more comfortable for a time. It's a temporary thing since the underlying condition will still be there and the ascites will likely recurr at some point. It does carry some risk of infection or shock, but many have done it successfully. There are videos on youtube showing how it's done. Most reproductive problems have few treatment options and most are not successful. If vet care is an option for you they may be able to help narrow it down. I've had birds live for up to 18 months with some reproductive issues, some passed much more quickly. It's very hard to predict survival times and often the definite answer as to what was going on is not known until necropsy. When mine get like this I leave them with the flock as long as they are eating and drinking and behaving like a (mostly) normal chicken. Once they go off food or water, act lethargic, isolate themselves, get attacked by flock mates, or are obviously feeling unwell, then I euthanize.

 

[ElectricLeaf]

How old are they? Reproductive problems including cancers, infections and internal laying, are not uncommon, particularly in breeds that lay lots of eggs (sex links are in that group). Birds over the age of two are where it most commonly hits. A swollen abdomen and stopping laying are often the most common symptoms. If the abdomen feels full of fluid, water balloon like, that is usually ascites, an indication that the liver is not doing well and leaking fluid into the abdomen, and it's a symptom of another underlying condition. If it's very hard/firm that can indicate salpingitis or internal laying and a build up of infectious matter in the abdomen. A very fat bird can have a large abdomen and will feel similar to ascites, but a bit mushier. Hard to explain, but it does feel a bit different. And a fat bird can have plenty of health problems. For ascites, also called water belly, some will drain the fluid and it will provide the bird some relief and make them more comfortable for a time. It's a temporary thing since the underlying condition will still be there and the ascites will likely recurr at some point. It does carry some risk of infection or shock, but many have done it successfully. There are videos on youtube showing how it's done. Most reproductive problems have few treatment options and most are not successful. If vet care is an option for you they may be able to help narrow it down. I've had birds live for up to 18 months with some reproductive issues, some passed much more quickly. It's very hard to predict survival times and often the definite answer as to what was going on is not known until necropsy. When mine get like this I leave them with the flock as long as they are eating and drinking and behaving like a (mostly) normal chicken. Once they go off food or water, act lethargic, isolate themselves, get attacked by flock mates, or are obviously feeling unwell, then I euthanize.

They are about 2 1/2 years old. The 3 have stopped laying. Hard, swollen abdomen. I've thought it was ascites but just was stumped how my chicken has lasted this long. It would pain me to euthanize her. She is my pet and easily my favorite bird. But if she does show any of those last signs that you mentioned, I will definitely do it. Or rather have someone else do it.

 

[coach723]

So sorry. I don't like doing it either, but it's kinder than letting them suffer. I've got one now that I suspect has reproductive cancer. For now she's happy and acting pretty normal, but I know the day will come. I've known something was going on with her for about 6 months now. Sometimes it's very slow and they have a fair amount of time left. Sometimes not. You will know if it's time to say good bye. There are some vets that will do it also, if you prefer that.

 

[ElectricLeaf]

So sorry. I don't like doing it either, but it's kinder than letting them suffer. I've got one now that I suspect has reproductive cancer. For now she's happy and acting pretty normal, but I know the day will come. I've known something was going on with her for about 6 months now. Sometimes it's very slow and they have a fair amount of time left. Sometimes not. You will know if it's time to say good bye. There are some vets that will do it also, if you prefer that.

My neighbor has euthanized chickens before so I will have him do it should the time come.

 

[ElectricLeaf]

So sorry. I don't like doing it either, but it's kinder than letting them suffer. I've got one now that I suspect has reproductive cancer. For now she's happy and acting pretty normal, but I know the day will come. I've known something was going on with her for about 6 months now. Sometimes it's very slow and they have a fair amount of time left. Sometimes not. You will know if it's time to say good bye. There are some vets that will do it also, if you prefer that.

She is now stretching her neck fully to try and breathe and is making a gurgling noise and frequently having weird sneezes that gurgle. Is it time?

 

[ElectricLeaf]

She is now stretching her neck fully to try and breathe and is making a gurgling noise and frequently having weird sneezes that gurgle. Is it time?

Seems it wasn't for a long time but I feel like it'll happen again. If it does, should I have her euthanized?

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like she may also have a respiratory infection. Ascites (water belly) can cause labored breathing, so if ahe seems to be suffering, it may be time to consider euthanizing her.

 

[ElectricLeaf]

It sounds like she may also have a respiratory infection. Ascites (water belly) can cause labored breathing, so if ahe seems to be suffering, it may be time to consider euthanizing her.

She died. As we were taking her to get put down, something finally happened to her lungs. Either they burst or had been punctured but they filled with fluid and she was obviously violently flapping but eventually just flipped herself over and died. Lots of fluid came out of her mouth.

 

[ilovemychooks1]

She died. As we were taking her to get put down, something finally happened to her lungs. Either they burst or had been punctured but they filled with fluid and she was obviously violently flapping but eventually just flipped herself over and died. Lots of fluid came out of her mouth.

Im so sorry. How long has it been happening for?