Very sick hen - Warning, Contains Very Nasty, Grapic Necropsy Pictures - Updated

[casportpony]

Found standing like a penguin, very thin, lots of fluid in her belly. Drained some fluid and was able to palpate lumps in her abdominal cavity that shouldn't be there. This is what the fluid looked like:


There was more in there, but I couldn't get it out. Will start on antibiotics, but will cull if I don't see a drastic improvement in 2-3 days. Note the color... seems to be blood in it.

-Kathy

 

[ten chicks]

Did you hit a vein when draining? I have seen this happen and fluid was blood tinged.

 

[ten chicks]

Hope she improves. My girl is doing very well so far,she has been drained once,given antibiotics for infection(more to prevent infection from draining than anything else)then given milk thistle for liver support. Her urates are turning white,she is preening,dust bathing and eating better,but initially the only thing she would eat is meat and fish,any kind of meat/fish and homemade turkey soup,she refused all feed. I allow her to walk around home,b/c i have personally found they often do better when allowed to move as opposed to being confined,her sister is inside also to keep her company,they will be inside for this winter.

 

[casportpony]

Did you hit a vein when draining? I have seen this happen and fluid was blood tinged.

It's quite possible... it was hard to get the needle in a good spot due to the masses in her belly.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Hope she improves. My girl is doing very well so far,she has been drained once,given antibiotics for infection(more to prevent infection from draining than anything else)then given milk thistle for liver support. Her urates are turning white,she is preening,dust bathing and eating better,but initially the only thing she would eat is meat and fish,any kind of meat/fish and homemade turkey soup,she refused all feed. I allow her to walk around home,b/c i have personally found they often do better when allowed to move as opposed to being confined,her sister is inside also to keep her company,they will be inside for this winter.

Thanks... I fear my gal is not long for this world.

Glad your's is on the mend. I have drained a few and had them live for quite some time after, but the ones with the big "masses" don't seem to do as well.

-Kathy

 

[ten chicks]

I initially drained my girl using a 20 gauge needle,hit the spot on second try and fluid gushed out. Fluid continued to drain all night,slow drip and by morning her abdomen was greatly reduced and vent no longer swollen,poor girl was able to poop better,but still runny.

 

[casportpony]

I used an 18, and I think you're right, probably hit a vein, 'cause her belly is very bruised now. Just weighed her at 936 grams and gave her a bowel of wet turkey starter. Will check on her in an hour, give Baytril and tube fluids. She's ravenous and pooping okay, so good signs.

-Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

How deep do you place the needle--just under the skin, or deeper. Is an 18 gauge needle the right size? Sorry about both of your hens Kathy and Mia.

 

[ten chicks]

Needle was 1" ,i inserted about 1/2" into skin and hit fluid pocket on second try which proceeded to gush out. Breathing immediately became better,which was the main reason for draining. I also swabbed skin with iodine.

 

[casportpony]

Quote:

How deep do you place the needle--just under the skin, or deeper. Is an 18 gauge needle the right size? Sorry about both of your hens Kathy and Mia.

Quote:

Needle was 1" ,i inserted about 1/2" into skin and hit fluid pocket on second try which proceeded to gush out. Breathing immediately became better,which was the main reason for draining. I also swabbed skin with iodine.

Only other needles I have are 22's, which I think are too small. Went in about 1/2", just like I normally do, but this hen has those masses, others I've done had just the fluid, and with those, the fluid squirted out.

-Kathy