Swollen Abdomen in my Buffy

[teekum51]

My darling Buffy as a very swollen abdomen...it's Sat night so no vets. I have made her comfortable but it looks bad. I have gently felt her and cannot feel an egg but she has all the symptoms. This is the 2nd hen I have lost to this...both Buffies. Are Buff Orpingtons more likely to experience egg binding? How can I avoid this in the future? Food? Supplements? Any advice?

 

[Marty1876]

Hmm, not usually. It maybe something to do with their unique situation or both came from a hen with the same issue.

I'd go to any busy chicken thread (go to forum, and new posts to find one thats busy now, with folks on it) and ask what to do ASAP. Maybe also search "egg binding".

Good luck!

 

[FlyHigher]

Hi, here are some links that might be helpful:
http://blog.siffordsojournal.com/2010/01/operation-chicken-peritonitis.html


good luck!


Edited by Staff

 

[speckledhen]

Probably is not egg binding. That does not usually cause a swollen abdomen unless an egg has literally dropped into the abdomen and in that case, no way to help except major surgery. Could be egg yolk peritonitis, internal laying, with accompanying ascites (fluid), or all three. These conditions are chronic, though, so there is really no permanent cure.

These threads may be helpful to you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362422

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=195347

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...lks-update-rip-beautiful-reba/50#post_8068877

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ences-on-egg-reproduction-production-necropsy

 

[teekum51]

Thank-you...while not hopeful it is a window into what is going on. The other hen that died had passed some bizarre rubbery eggs but while I was out of town my husband found her dead. While I haven't found any weird eggs I fear this is what is going on. As soon as Monday rolls around I am going to get her some help. Meanwhile I'm just keeping her comfortable.

 

[teekum51]

Well, she's still around. Gave her some prednisone and electrolytes along with some chick mash and cottage cheese for a week or so. She hid out in the coop and I really thought she was a goner. One day she wanted out and she's been going ever since....for now anyway. Small favors.

 

[speckledhen]

I've had them go for almost a year without laying, then die from laying internally, evidenced by the masses of cheesy gunk in their abdomens and oviducts. It's amazing how long they will survive with all that gunk in there that shouldn't be. I hope your hen is one of the rare recovery stories--and trust me, they are VERY rare. I've had only one I've treated for a swollen abdomen, indicating egg yolk peritonitis, who went on to lay normally again, which would indicate it was a minor infection and we caught it very early with the penicillin. She is also a breeder quality Ameraucana, which in my opinion, usually means she's made of stronger stuff than a hatchery hen.

 

[aoxa]

I've had them go for almost a year without laying, then die from laying internally, evidenced by the masses of cheesy gunk in their abdomens and oviducts. It's amazing how long they will survive with all that gunk in there that shouldn't be. I hope your hen is one of the rare recovery stories--and trust me, they are VERY rare. I've had only one I've treated for a swollen abdomen, indicating egg yolk peritonitis, who went on to lay normally again, which would indicate it was a minor infection and we caught it very early with the penicillin. She is also a breeder quality Ameraucana, which in my opinion, usually means she's made of stronger stuff than a hatchery hen.

I have to agree. I've lost two as well to this issue. Egg binding. One went from February - June without laying (she was a fantastic layer) so maybe that is why she died so fast? She didn't seem sick until the last week of her life. I thought she had worms. Her abdomen was rock hard.

Enjoy her while she is still around. Treasure your moments. Unfortunately this is not a good prognosis.

 

[teekum51]

Oh Dear....sounds bad. She still seems okay but you're right...I'll just let her enjoy her life as long as she has left.