Very Swollen Abdomen and Runny poop!

[chelseachook]

My cousin's 3 yr old hen has been like this for nearly a week. I went over and checked it today and it doesn't have sour crop. Apparently it hasn't been roosting and it has been waddling around with its tail down. Eating and drinking well though. Its butt feathers are covered in poop but the actual vent isn't blocked up. What is this and how can it be treated? Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

Has she laid any eggs? She could be egg bound.

 

[chelseachook]

Has she laid any eggs? She could be egg bound.

Thanks for the reply! I asked her about that but she said she didn't know... they have other hens so it is hard to know who laid what. If she was egg bound wouldn't she have died already? I don't know for sure but I heard that they die within 48 hours if left untreated.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am not any kind of expert, but water in the abdomen (ascites) can be caused by peritonitis where egg material builds up inside a chicken's abdomen and causes infection. That requires antibiotics ASAP. But I think it can be from heart problems and fatty liver disease.

The water can be drained using a needle. You might search for that on BYC. I'll see if I can find articles/videos, but my internet is crazy slow and links don't always load...

Edited to add that the swollen abdomen is a symptom. It'll keep coming back until whatever is causing it is cleared up. But draining will make the chicken more comfortable.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Ascites is the first thing that comes to mind but I don't want to jump to any conclusions. This video may be helpful if that is the case.

@Eggcessive or @azygous will probably be able to help further.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Ascites is the first thing that comes to mind but I don't want to jump to any conclusions. This video may be helpful if that is the case.

@Eggcessive or @azygous will probably be able to help further.

This is the exact video I was trying to link! Thanks!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

This is the exact video I was trying to link! Thanks!

No problem! It's my favorite when it comes to a video on how to drain water belly.

 

[Aunt Angus]

No problem! It's my favorite when it comes to a video on how to drain water belly.

I just bookmarked it so I can find it more easily.

 

[chelseachook]

I am not any kind of expert, but water in the abdomen (ascites) can be caused by peritonitis where egg material builds up inside a chicken's abdomen and causes infection. That requires antibiotics ASAP. But I think it can be from heart problems and fatty liver disease.

The water can be drained using a needle. You might search for that on BYC. I'll see if I can find articles/videos, but my internet is crazy slow and links don't always load...

Edited to add that the swollen abdomen is a symptom. It'll keep coming back until whatever is causing it is cleared up. But draining will make the chicken more comfortable.

What antibiotics to use and how much? Also - how do I know for sure its ascites? Thanks