Water Belly symptoms

[Wyorp Rock]

There are so many symptoms that look like multiple things..... it is so hard to tell from looking from the outside. For instance, her having difficulty using her left leg was probably from this large mass pressing against a nerve. (Uneducated guess). We are happy that she is not suffering any longer.

I'm thinking I agree with this. The material peeled apart in layers, kind of like the small amounts we found. This might be why we haven't found any lash material for some time now. She was hiding it. Do you think it is possible for the lash material to drop into the abdomen and her NOT pass any more? Except for a small bright yellow area deep in the mass, that I thought may have been yoke, I found nothing that looked like egg.

One or even multiple lash eggs, egg material (yolk, albumen, soft shelled egg, whole egg or even "foreign debris" can travel back up the oviduct and drop into the abdomen. The body is then going to surround whatever it is with layers of "caseous exude". Lash eggs (Salpingitis) is an inflammation of the oviduct and generally those "eggs" are found in the oviduct, the body has surrounded infection with material (lashed it up) and then it's either "laid"/or expelled (these linger in the oviduct, this is why they are often "egg shaped"), but it's not uncommon to find several in the abdomen so, yes they sure could reverse as well. (Through Reverse Peristalsis of the Oviduct)

It can be common for a hen with a reproductive disorder to have a limp/difficulty walking or the leg become "paralyzed". I would say it's a very good deduction that the mass was pressing on a nerve. I've always thought so.

Once you do a necropsy and are able to actually see why a hen was in a state of decline, you really are glad that they are no longer suffering. For me, I'm always learning something new and by taking a look inside and this (for me at least) re-confirms how wonderfully made a hen really is. It also helps me reflect on symptoms that I have noted and I'm able to put 2+2 together so when I encounter similar symptoms in the future, I'm better able to make decisions about whether to treat, how to treat or if it's time to put her out of her misery.
Of course every time is slightly different, but when you understand a little more about what might be happening, you can make better decisions.

 

[ZedikerStation]

For me, I'm always learning something new and by taking a look inside and this (for me at least) re-confirms how wonderfully made a hen really is.

How true. And how durable they are. 3 days ago you wouldn't have known there was a thing wrong with her. She was in the top 3 or 4 in pecking order. Running around doing normal chicken stuff. They really can hide pain well.

 

[ZedikerStation]

...and here is a question... suppose we knew this was in there early on. Short of surgery, is it treatable? I'm thinking it's not.....

 

[aart]

...and here is a question... suppose we knew this was in there early on. Short of surgery, is it treatable? I'm thinking it's not.....

Agrees.
IMO, ascities is a sign there is a fatal issue inside, it's only a matter of time.
I tried to 'save' the first one, couldn't stand to see her suffer for more than 3-4 days.
Her intestines were fully twisted and plugged with tumors(probably Leukosis).
Next one I didn't wait, she wasn't eating or pooping, it was internal laying.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

...and here is a question... suppose we knew this was in there early on. Short of surgery, is it treatable? I'm thinking it's not.....

That's sort of a hard one. Realistically there's no cure, but if caught early, then supportive care measures which might include antibiotics, draining, etc. MAY help with infection, prolong life, make them more comfortable, etc. It really depends.
I had one hen that I did treat with antibiotics, she lived for another 7-8 months. Every day I watched her and she seemed happy within herself, interacted with the flock though a bit slower. One morning I opened the coop, she barely made it out. I picked her up and she was in bad shape. I knew it was her time, so I let her go. She didn't have masses in her abdomen, she did have some signs of peritonitis, she did have cancer. SO!
You just don't know. I did get to enjoy her for more months, I really missed her greetings.

Other hens, I have not treated, they just went down pretty quickly. I think each case is different. I try to take note of every bird I have every day so I can catch something early, but they do hide a lot.

 

[Aunt Angus]

One or even multiple lash eggs, egg material (yolk, albumen, soft shelled egg, whole egg or even "foreign debris" can travel back up the oviduct and drop into the abdomen. The body is then going to surround whatever it is with layers of "caseous exude".

This is exactly what happened to my Magnolia. Her necropsy stated that she'd contracted an infection from e coli traveling from her cloaca into her reproductive system. The technician said it had probably been raging for months before she passed. By the time she passed any lash material, she was already quite riddled with infection and probably beyond help.

 

[cjbuk]

I am going to go pick up some tablets now. I've always had the powder but it is much too difficult to use. I'm thinking her energy is a bit low as well. What do you think about another dose of nutri-drench or maybe some sugar water?

Hi, how do you give them tablets ? Mixed with water? Ground up ?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hi, how do you give them tablets ? Mixed with water? Ground up ?

This us an old thread, but I got you! Just pop them in their beaks. Easy peasy. If they're huge, you may have to cut them.

 

[ZedikerStation]

This us an old thread, but I got you! Just pop them in their beaks. Easy peasy. If they're huge, you may have to cut them.

If you put them far enough back, they will swallow! If you just put it in the front, most likely she will drop it!