UPDATE: Hen is puffed up like a balloon--please help!

[Terri O]

Yeah...we are getting some poop! It is brown and white but pretty runny. She is sitting down now instead of standing and eating and drinking. Her back end is still big and poofy. I think I will try and drain a bit out tomorrow. This has got to be most uncomfortable! Terri O

 

[Terri O]

I guess I "updated" this incorrectly (like three times!) So the update is really on the first post! TErri O

 

[Terri O]

She is drained! I didnt get it all out but as soon as the pressure was off of her insides she pooped out a whole bunch. NOw I can feel that there is no egg in there stuck. Good--I am glad I dont seem to be dealing with another internal layer! I only had to stick her once with a 16 gauge needle and drew off 30cc of fluid. then it was dripping out so I just helped it with pressure, soaking 3 hand towels with the fluid. No smell and it was thin--like serum.
Does anyone know why this happens? I wonder how many more times I will have to drain her and if it will continue to fill for the rest of her life?
Anyhow---she sure looks happier now! Terri O

 

[redhen]

wow..poor thing! Glad you helped her out! I hope she continues to improve!!!

 

[Terri O]

Yeah! Henny is going back with the rest of the girls tomorrow! She is doing great in the house, alert, eating and pooping like normal.. I want to put some kind if ID on her so I can spot her among the other chickens. I may have to bring her in and repeat the draining procedure in the future.

Anyone have any ideas how to ID her? Does "stock marker" stay on feathers? A leg bracelet? WHat to make it out of? Thanks! Terri O

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Terri where are you again (in WI), I've got a snap band you could put on her, either send it to you or you could pick it up

 

[tinyscrafts]

nail polish?

 

[Tala]

Dab some blue kote on her until you can get a leg band. That stuff'll last a while

 

[gallusdomesticus]

It sounds like she has ascites or water belly. It's frequently caused by congestive heart failure or fatty liver disease. I had a similar problem with one of my hens. The vet extracted 16 oz of fluid from her abdomen and put her on a milk thistle extract for the liver problem. He treated the liver as he said he did not have any treatment for congestive heart failure. She perked right up and seemed none the worse for wear. The vet warned that the fluid may come back and now it appears she may have a slight swelling returning. It's been a year since she was last drained and if it gets worse, I'll take her back for more fluid removal. Hope your girl recovers completely.

 

[Kittymomma]

So glad to hear that she's doing better!! You can use a zip tie on her leg for now, or even as a permenent means of identification since you're only trying to keep track of one hen and not the whole flock.