swollen tummy

[chicklover 1998]

It's possible she's got Egg Yolk Peritonitis/internal laying...

Is she showing any symptoms of lethargy, losing appetite, going off water, or hunching/puffing up?

Ascites is commonly associated with a swollen abdomen.

Where is the bulge? Is it to the left of the vent?

Also, how old is she?

MrsB

X2

 

[MrsBrooke]

When you checked her, did you feel a water-balloon type belly, any hard masses, or was she swollen and rock hard?

Is she still pooping the white/yellow? When was the last time she laid an egg?

MrsB

 

[kathy in cuero]

This was on Sunday. She is eating and drinking. It does feel like she has water in her belly and is not hard. I could not tell you when she layed last. I have 46 hens and at least 15 may not be laying. Some are old and some are really old. She is about 4/5 years old. I know she layed two months ago. Her walk this afternoon seems less back and forth. She is still having the poop looking stuff. But not much. I am going to check her into the roost. Will do another exam in the morning when I get her from the coop.

 

[kathy in cuero]

Vaneeta actually went up on the roost by herself. She was eating blueberries this afternoon, scratching the ground as normal as can be. I will check her in the am and let you know about her swollen tummy/vent. The picture looks worse than it is. No blood but some discharge, like poop, but watery and thick. Another day..

Kathy in Cuero.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I really feel like this is a case of internal laying, which is caused by an E. coli infection. It can be treated with prescription-strength antibiotics, but you'd never be able to eat her eggs again (they say).

Do you have any other birds with these symptoms?

If she's passing thick white/yellow poop, that's a pretty strong indication.

I would do some reading on Egg Yolk Peritonitis (internal laying) and see if that matches anything else she has going on.

I don't mean to sound so cold and clinical, but.... if she passes (I hope she recovers!) consider sending her in for a necropsy. You can contact your local vet for information on where to send her for your state's USDA branch to determine cause of death. It's free, outside of shipping. If she passes (I hope she doesn't!), you can wrap her in some plastic bags and place her in the refrigerator until you can ship her. That way, you'll know for sure what it was and can plan accordingly to move forward with a plan for the remaining flock.

I am sorry about Vaneeta.

MrsB

 

[kathy in cuero]

Mrs. B, Vaneeta seems less swollen and not waddling. I checked her vent, and it was clear. She had poop on her tail feathers. I gave her a bath and massaged her tummy.She certainly liked it. I did not have to put her on the roost as she went up herself. I will look into the maybe diagnosis you mentioned, and let you know how everything goes. I will let you know in a week what happens to her. If there were any signs that she was sick or uncomfortable or looked bad, we would take care of her. I will let you know . Thanks again...

 

[MrsBrooke]

Mrs. B, Vaneeta seems less swollen and not waddling. I checked her vent, and it was clear. She had poop on her tail feathers. I gave her a bath and massaged her tummy.She certainly liked it. I did not have to put her on the roost as she went up herself. I will look into the maybe diagnosis you mentioned, and let you know how everything goes. I will let you know in a week what happens to her. If there were any signs that she was sick or uncomfortable or looked bad, we would take care of her. I will let you know . Thanks again...

Definitely keep us posted.

I hope it was just something she ate!

MrsB

 

[SuperChickRuth]

MrsBrooke,
You said that there is a treatment for Internal Laying? Antibiotics? Is there anything else you can do?

Kathy,
I'm so happy that your hen is doing better!


I'm suspicious that one of our hens is laying internally. This morning she passed a leathery egg shell and egg white, and has a swollen tummy too.

~SuperChickRuth

 

[MrsBrooke]

Typically, an antibiotic like Baytril is prescribed for EYP... And you can get it from a vet or order it online.

Check out any post by casportpony... Her signature is full of links to various dosing instructions. Just know that using Baytril will make her eggs and meat inedible (per the FDA). If she's a pet, go for it... But if you use her for utility purposes, just know that going forward.

I hope that helps!

MrsB

 

[SuperChickRuth]

Thanks!