URGENT: FROSTBITTEN PROLAPSE - PLEASE HELP

[Shaycres]

CAUTION: GRAPHIC IMAGERY

Long story short, I went out to the coop just to double check that everything was shut tightly, as the windchill was forecast to be -30° windchill. I come inside and happen to see this poor hen with her innards sticking out, alongside some frozen liquid droppings - poor thing!

I brought her inside in a box and she is in the garage - not TOO warm, but warm enough to keep her comfortable (~50°). I cut off her soiled feathers, and cleaned up the prolapse to the best of my ability. As far as I know, the next step is to try to get her organs back inside of her.

However, I am very worried that they are already way too damaged...I have attached some images of the problem. Any and all advice is appreciated. An aviary vet unfortunately isn't exactly a practical option for me at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any help on this one... She's alert and such, just uh, doesn't have the most pleasant looking rear at the moment.

 

[Weeg]

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

Poor baby! I have minor experience with prolapse, your correct, the next step would be to get it back inside. Though things do look damaged. I'm not sure if thats frostbite or scabbing from pecking, but good job separating her.
I'm not sure wether or not to suggest you push the prolapse back in, hopefully the members I tagged will respond soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would keep the prolapse covered with vaseline or plain Neosporin ointment as long as the temperature is above freezing. It looks like some of the tissue is necrotic, and may come off. It is hard to deal with this in such low temperatures. She may need to have her prolapsed soaked, and try to rub off some of the necrotic tissue, but she would need to be brought inside and dried with a hairdryer. Epsom salts or warm soapy water is best to use, and only do a shallow soak, trying not to chill her. Let us know what it looks like tomorrow.

 

[azygous]

Prolapse almost always involves an obstruction in the oviduct the hen's body is trying to expel. The straining causes the prolapse, and once the obstruction resolves, the prolapse also most often resolves, as well.

For this reason, the first thing to do in a crisis like this is to give the hen a calcium tablet to help with contractions to get the obstruction cleared. One calcium citrate tablet given directly into the beak is what I recommend each day the prolapse continues. The longest it took a prolapse I was treating to resolve was nine days, so hang in there.

As for care and treatment of the prolapse, I wrote an article about it since I've learned a lot treating my own hens when this issue arises. It's not an enjoyable task, but you and your hen will eventually get through this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know if she has been able to pass any droppings by morning.

 

[DucksworthO]

CAUTION: GRAPHIC IMAGERY

Long story short, I went out to the coop just to double check that everything was shut tightly, as the windchill was forecast to be -30° windchill. I come inside and happen to see this poor hen with her innards sticking out, alongside some frozen liquid droppings - poor thing!

I brought her inside in a box and she is in the garage - not TOO warm, but warm enough to keep her comfortable (~50°). I cut off her soiled feathers, and cleaned up the prolapse to the best of my ability. As far as I know, the next step is to try to get her organs back inside of her.

However, I am very worried that they are already way too damaged...I have attached some images of the problem. Any and all advice is appreciated. An aviary vet unfortunately isn't exactly a practical option for me at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any help on this one... She's alert and such, just uh, doesn't have the most pleasant looking rear at the moment.

View attachment 2951216View attachment 2951217View attachment 2951218View attachment 2951219

So sorry poor girl I hope you’re able to help her out and she’ll be okay

 

[DaisyBuff]

I'm so sorry! Poor little Hen, I hope you can eventually get those organs back in her, follow eggsessive and azygous tips, as they are correct! Best wishes for your hen!

 

[Shaycres]

Prolapse almost always involves an obstruction in the oviduct the hen's body is trying to expel. The straining causes the prolapse, and once the obstruction resolves, the prolapse also most often resolves, as well.

For this reason, the first thing to do in a crisis like this is to give the hen a calcium tablet to help with contractions to get the obstruction cleared. One calcium citrate tablet given directly into the beak is what I recommend each day the prolapse continues. The longest it took a prolapse I was treating to resolve was nine days, so hang in there.

As for care and treatment of the prolapse, I wrote an article about it since I've learned a lot treating my own hens when this issue arises. It's not an enjoyable task, but you and your hen will eventually get through this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

THANK YOU. Where would be the best place to get those calcium tablets? Would it just be a regular supplement that a human would take? If not, can I make do with some eggshells?

 

[Weeg]

THANK YOU. Where would be the best place to get those calcium tablets? Would it just be a regular supplement that a human would take? If not, can I make do with some eggshells?

Take a tip down to your local drug store, they'll have them. For now, Tums will work until you can get the calcium citrate. Yep, just a normal human supplement.

 

[azygous]

If you're in the US, go to Walmart vitamin aisle. Egg shells are calcium carbonate and not strong enough for this purpose and also not as easily absorbed.