Swollen abdomen

[DS17]

I just discovered one of my hens has a very swollen abdomen. It feels like a water balloon. It’s hard to tell if it’s an internal egg issue or something else. I’m actually not even sure she has laid recently. She’s a black sex link that is about 3+ years old ( I think. She was given to me by a neighbor when they moved 2 years ago). With the cold and less light, I don’t think she has laid at all this winter. Anything I can do to help her? I just lost my roo, now I’m thinking I may loss this hen as well :-(

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear you lost your rooster

Is your hen acting like she is sick? Trouble walking or breathing, not eating/drinking, lethargic, crop not emptying, etc.?

If she is having trouble or acts sick, then you can try draining her if the abdomen feels like it has fluid in it.
If she is not having any symptoms at this time, it would probably be better to monitor her closely - watch that she eats/drinks and that her crop is empty by morning.

Here's a video that shows you how to drain fluid from the abdomen. Seeking vet care is always best.

 

[coach723]

Sounds like ascites, which is a symptom of another condition going on. She may have a reproductive problem, like cancer, or organ failure or infection. Sometimes draining the abdomen can make them more comfortable for a time, but it will likely recur since the underlying condition will still be there. Draining does not come without risk, draining too much, too fast can put them into shock in some cases and be fatal. If vet care is an option for you they may be able to tell you more definitely what is going on with her. I have used this in hens with ascites, and in some cases it has brought some relief without having to drain, but again it will be temporary. http://www.lilyofthedesert.com/product/aloe-herbal-detox-formula/
It's available at some health food stores or online from several places including amazon. I give 4ml a day for 7 days. I repeat as needed when it recurs. It has to be refrigerated once opened, so let the dose come to room temperature before giving it, or warm it under some warm water first.
So sorry about your hen.
Here is a bit more info on ascites:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...itions-of-poultry/ascites-syndrome-in-poultry
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2017/06/water-belly-or-ascites-in-backyard.html

 

[DS17]

Walking isn’t easy for her. I saw her eat some this morning but I don’t think she has had a drink. I have a heated water bowl outside their raised coop. I can put water in the coop for her, once it gets above freezing later. I can hear and see her breathing, it seems a little mire labored than the others. Comb is not pale yet.

Thanks for the video. I may have to give draining a try.

 

[DS17]

Sounds like ascites, which is a symptom of another condition going on. She may have a reproductive problem, like cancer, or organ failure or infection. Sometimes draining the abdomen can make them more comfortable for a time, but it will likely recur since the underlying condition will still be there. Draining does not come without risk, draining too much, too fast can put them into shock in some cases and be fatal. If vet care is an option for you they may be able to tell you more definitely what is going on with her. I have used this in hens with ascites, and in some cases it has brought some relief without having to drain, but again it will be temporary. http://www.lilyofthedesert.com/product/aloe-herbal-detox-formula/
It's available at some health food stores or online from several places including amazon. I give 4ml a day for 7 days. I repeat as needed when it recurs. It has to be refrigerated once opened, so let the dose come to room temperature before giving it, or warm it under some warm water first.
So sorry about your hen.
Here is a bit more info on ascites:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...itions-of-poultry/ascites-syndrome-in-poultry
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2017/06/water-belly-or-ascites-in-backyard.html

Thank you so much!
Draining seems daunting. I just spent $400 at the vet for one of our cats so a vet visit for a chicken probably would send my husband over the edge :-o

 

[aart]

Have had several birds with ascites, after the first I euthanize pretty quickly.
DIY necrospies showed Leukosis(viral tumors on intestine) and EYP(Egg Yolk Peritonitis).

This is how I isolate birds for observation....good to check their 'input and output':
I'd isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[DS17]

Have had several birds with ascites, after the first I euthanize pretty quickly.
DIY necrospies showed Leukosis(viral tumors on intestine) and EYP(Egg Yolk Peritonitis).

This is how I isolate birds for observation....good to check their 'input and output':
I'd isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Excellent idea! I will try this! Thanks!

 

[DS17]

Thank you so much!
Draining seems daunting. I just spent $400 at the vet for one of our cats so a vet visit for a chicken probably would send my husband over the edge :-o

Have you had success with the detox on fairly swollen abdomens?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Walking isn’t easy for her. I saw her eat some this morning but I don’t think she has had a drink. I have a heated water bowl outside their raised coop. I can put water in the coop for her, once it gets above freezing later. I can hear and see her breathing, it seems a little mire labored than the others. Comb is not pale yet.

Thanks for the video. I may have to give draining a try.

If she is having difficulty breathing, then you can try draining her to see if that makes a difference.
Keep in mind that draining is sometimes a short term "fix" and the fluid is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. If you do drain her, a photo of the fluid you withdraw would be welcomed.
Some good instructions in the following link to go along with the video previously posted. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ascities.1185454/#post-18714504

 

[coach723]

In some cases, yes the detox has helped with very swollen abdomens. Not knowing for sure the underlying cause, makes it hard to know how much help it will be. At worst it will not hurt. The fluid build up is commonly from a liver that is not able to keep up with whatever stresses are going on. The detox can help the liver function a bit better. It just depends on what is going on, how much damage there is, how advanced the illness is. I generally do this when it works, for as long as it works. When there is no improvement and the bird is obviously feeling unwell, not eating or drinking, isolating from the flock, or being picked on, and the quality of life is really no longer good, I don't let them suffer. This can be a tough judgement call, birds will hide illness very well and can be much sicker than they might appear, so an obviously sick bird is usually really very sick. The fluid build up puts pressure on their internal organs, not comfortable at all. It also can put pressure on the air sacs in the abdomen, making it hard for them to breathe. It's kind of a judgement call on your part which way you want to go with either draining or trying the detox. If she's really struggling then draining will be quicker relief. Once drained you could monitor the build up and try the detox before it gets to be so much the next time and see if it seems to help.