Thought I'd share my first experience of draining a hen's abdomen and a question

[Eggsoteric]

Anna Mae is a 3 y.o. Red Sexlink hen.

Sunday evening I noticed that she was mopey, picking at her food, breathing thru her mouth, staying close to the coop and waddling. I picked her up and it was quite evident that her abdomen was filled with fluid (fluid was dripping from her vent). She survived the night and Monday morning I headed to the vet's office and for about $7 I picked up a 60 ml syringe with a 30 inch tube extension. On one end of the tube was the syringe and on the other end was an 18 gauge needle. The tube also had a plastic clamp on it. This turned out to be a "wonderful" set up as I didn't have to remove the needle to empty the syringe; I just clamped off the tube and removed the syringe from the tube to empty. I picked an area of Anna Mae's abdomen that had no visible veins; cleaned the area with an alcohol swab and inserted the needle only about 1/4". I ended up removing around 220 ml of fluid (poor girl)

. I know that I'll need to continue to monitor Anna Mae and remove the fluid as necessary, however, although she's still moving gingerly, she seems to be a lot more comfortable and her appetite has picked up some.

As to my question. I had done some research on the use of an antibiotic in conjunction with the draining and it seems as if Baytril was the antibiotic of choice but there was caution on using Baytril? I ended up giving her .5 ml of Tylan 50 orally (will administer for 5 days). Should I switch to Penicillin?

 

[realsis]

i would switch antibotics because tylan is more respitory but what might be good is liquamycin or LA-200 id give larger bird 1/2 cc once daily for 5 days smaller bird 1/4 cc its more of a general antibotic. might be better for your situation. you can get it at feed store.best wishes to you!

 

[brooster 22]

I am dealing with a similar problem. Vet treated in early january and on Baytril for 14 days- vet could not feel an egg but felt it was egg related with infection.she was near death and kept inside sleeping on a heating pad which she loved! Finally let her join the flock ( actually think they missed her) and she has been doing well but, poor thing, her abdomen is so heavy and ful! Skin below vent was tight and red. I drew off about 50 cc of mostly clear liquid- but my needle wasnt big enough. I am going to use advice given here and go to Tractor Supply tomorrow and get the antibiotic and hopefully an 18 guage needle. I am an RN and I tried to be as sterile as possible. She is a large 2yo sweet blue orphington- part of my spoiled rotten flock of six with a wonderfully protective gentle rooster. She was a cooperative patient-I think these pets know when we are trying to help them!!Will let you know how things turn out!! Good luck with your hen!!
Eleanor from Charlottesville, Va