Very scared...hen might not make it

[DianeB]

My little red hen is in the vet hospital. There is pressure on her lungs (expanding abdomen). They're not sure why. It could be an infection. This all happened in a little over 24 hours. She had a hard time laying an egg yesterday and then went downhill fast. What could it be?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm so sorry your having trouble.

Did she get the egg out? Did they check the vent to make sure no egg is stuck?

If no egg is stuck then an internal laying/reproductive disorder would be my next guess.
Something like Ascites or Peritonitis. Tumors, Salpingitis or cancer could also be the cause.
If she has fluid in her abdomen, sometimes slowly draining some of the fluid will help give some relief.
@casportpony and @TwoCrows are more knowledgeable about the draining process. But if I remember correctly, you want to draw a small amount of fluid, then poke a few holes to let it drip out so you don't overwhelm the system (relieve the pressure too quickly).

Let us know how she's doing.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1119656/drained-ascites-fluid-and-now-in-respiratory-distress
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx

 

[DianeB]

There wasn't any egg in the x-ray. The vet is still trying to figure out what is wrong. If it's a bacterial infection, they said it would start to improve tomorrow morning. Thanks for replying. I'm going nuts over worrying. She was absolutely normal early Tuesday morning. She went down hill so fast. Within minutes after laying a difficult egg. The egg was perfect but it took 2 hours of straining to lay it. Is this possible? I personally think it might be egg yolk peritonitis. Praying that she responds to the antibiotics. Thank you again.

 

[DianeB]

They also think coccidia maybe involved. She's had it before, including when she was eggbound last year. It's all so surreal and strange.

 

[DianeB]

Her blood work came back normal. No problems with her organs just slightly low on calcium.

 

[DianeB]

Can a hen go down so fast after straining to lay? Is this a sign of a tumor? Her laying has always been off but getting worse over the years?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There wasn't any egg in the x-ray. The vet is still trying to figure out what is wrong. If it's a bacterial infection, they said it would start to improve tomorrow morning. Thanks for replying. I'm going nuts over worrying. She was absolutely normal early Tuesday morning. She went down hill so fast. Within minutes after laying a difficult egg. The egg was perfect but it took 2 hours of straining to lay it. Is this possible? I personally think it might be egg yolk peritonitis. Praying that she responds to the antibiotics. Thank you again. Awww...I'm so sorry

Since she has a swollen abdomen and has had difficulty laying for a while, I would suspect Egg Yolk Peritonitis or Salpingitis. They both have similar symptoms, are caused by bacterial infections, etc. Hopefully she will respond to the antibiotics, but unfortunately it seems that treatment may only give supportive care and some relief in extending her life.

Please keep us updated.

Peritonitis:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p...tonitis_in_poultry.html?qt=peritonitis&alt=sh
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/g...iew_of_peritonitis.html?qt=peritonitis&alt=sh

Salpingitis:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p...illosis_in_poultry.html?qt=salpingitis&alt=sh
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p...ingitis_in_poultry.html?qt=salpingitis&alt=sh
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/12/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard.html

Cocci:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/poultry/coccidiosis/overview_of_coccidiosis_in_poultry.html

 

[DianeB]

Thank you. I hope she responds well, too. The vet was talking about a possible surgery to stop her laying permanently if it's a reproductive problem. Either something is clipped or banded but the ovaries stay intact. Anyone heard of this?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@kculbert has a thread/article on "spay" or Suprelorin Implant. You may want to look at that or pm her and ask for details, that may help you determine whether it's right for you or not.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...orin-implant-and-or-spay-egg-yolk-peritonitis


https://poultrykeeper.com/reproductive-system-problems/suprelorin-implant-for-chickens/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...tops-hens-with-egg-peritonitis-laying-anymore

 

[DianeB]

They're putting her down this morning. She's only getting worse.