Cystadenocarcinomas in Laying Hens - Graphic pictures

[casportpony]

I had a 5-year-old pretty little Easter Egger hen that recently passsd away. She had been noticeably feeling unwell and declining for about a week prior. Nothing obvious except for becoming increasingly inactive and listless, and her abdomen felt swollen. Only during her last two days did it become obvious she was dying. At that point I euthanized her.

Opened her up and found this. Her abdominal cavity was nearly completely filled with these grape-like clusters of varying sizes. Underneath the larger ones were Many more smaller ones.

While such veining would be great in a developing embryo, when the the blood supply is instead feeding a malignant growing cancer, i found the image kinda creepy.

I was able to identify this as cystadenocarcinoma only after finding this thread, @casportpony . I didnt find much information at all on the condition other than your posts.

I don't know how fast growing cystadenocarcinoma is, but i would think this was growing inside her for a while, even though she showed no indications until her last week of life. Birds of all species are masters at hiding their discomfort and pain, that's for sure.

Sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing these pictures.

 

[townchicks]

I had a 5-year-old pretty little Easter Egger hen that recently passsd away. She had been noticeably feeling unwell and declining for about a week prior. Nothing obvious except for becoming increasingly inactive and listless, and her abdomen felt swollen. Only during her last two days did it become obvious she was dying. At that point I euthanized her.

What a pretty girl. I'm sorry for your loss. You were brave to help her go, and to look for the cause, and thank you for sharing. I've learned so much on this site.

 

[Molpet]

I had a 5-year-old pretty little Easter Egger hen that recently passsd away. She had been noticeably feeling unwell and declining for about a week prior. Nothing obvious except for becoming increasingly inactive and listless, and her abdomen felt swollen. Only during her last two days did it become obvious she was dying. At that point I euthanized her.
View attachment 3051471

Opened her up and found this. Her abdominal cavity was nearly completely filled with these grape-like clusters of varying sizes. Underneath the larger ones were Many more smaller ones.
View attachment 3051481
View attachment 3051541


While such veining would be great in a developing embryo, when the the blood supply is instead feeding a malignant growing cancer, i found the image kinda creepy.
View attachment 3051501

I was able to identify this as cystadenocarcinoma only after finding this thread, @casportpony . I didnt find much information at all on the condition other than your posts.

I don't know how fast growing cystadenocarcinoma is, but i would think this was growing inside her for a while, even though she showed no indications until her last week of life. Birds of all species are masters at hiding their discomfort and pain, that's for sure.

Sorry for your loss thank you for sharing the picture of it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I had a 5-year-old pretty little Easter Egger hen that recently passsd away. She had been noticeably feeling unwell and declining for about a week prior. Nothing obvious except for becoming increasingly inactive and listless, and her abdomen felt swollen. Only during her last two days did it become obvious she was dying. At that point I euthanized her.
View attachment 3051471

Opened her up and found this. Her abdominal cavity was nearly completely filled with these grape-like clusters of varying sizes. Underneath the larger ones were Many more smaller ones.
View attachment 3051481
View attachment 3051541


While such veining would be great in a developing embryo, when the the blood supply is instead feeding a malignant growing cancer, i found the image kinda creepy.
View attachment 3051501

I was able to identify this as cystadenocarcinoma only after finding this thread, @casportpony . I didnt find much information at all on the condition other than your posts.

I don't know how fast growing cystadenocarcinoma is, but i would think this was growing inside her for a while, even though she showed no indications until her last week of life. Birds of all species are masters at hiding their discomfort and pain, that's for sure.

I'm sorry about your hen, she was a pretty thing
Thank you for the photos and description.

 

[citymeetscountry]

I know this is an old thread but adding some more for anyone that might be experiencing it. I thought my girl had EYP or something. She’s had poopy bottom. She never really was much of a layer. In March I noticed her belly warm and full like a water balloon. I had drained some fluid-at one point it was clearish yellow and another brown. She started doing the slow waddle penguin stance and would have good days and bad days. Finally we could tell it was time. After helping her pass I opened her up and found this. They just didn’t stop, I couldn’t really find an end to them, some were all the way up to her neck. One almost prolapsed out of her vent. I have no idea how she survived this long. She is at peace now though.
In August she’d have been 3. 2nd to last pic is more recent penguin like stance. Last pic was from at least a year or more ago (when she was well)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I know this is an old thread but adding some more for anyone that might be experiencing it. I thought my girl had EYP or something. She’s had poopy bottom. She never really was much of a layer. In March I noticed her belly warm and full like a water balloon. I had drained some fluid-at one point it was clearish yellow and another brown. She started doing the slow waddle penguin stance and would have good days and bad days. Finally we could tell it was time. After helping her pass I opened her up and found this. They just didn’t stop, I couldn’t really find an end to them, some were all the way up to her neck. One almost prolapsed out of her vent. I have no idea how she survived this long. She is at peace now though.
In August she’d have been 3. 2nd to last pic is more recent penguin like stance. Last pic was from at least a year or more ago (when she was well)

Thank you for adding the photos and sharing your experience.

 

[mg15]

I know this is an old thread but adding some more for anyone that might be experiencing it. I thought my girl had EYP or something. She’s had poopy bottom. She never really was much of a layer. In March I noticed her belly warm and full like a water balloon. I had drained some fluid-at one point it was clearish yellow and another brown. She started doing the slow waddle penguin stance and would have good days and bad days. Finally we could tell it was time. After helping her pass I opened her up and found this. They just didn’t stop, I couldn’t really find an end to them, some were all the way up to her neck. One almost prolapsed out of her vent. I have no idea how she survived this long. She is at peace now though.
In August she’d have been 3. 2nd to last pic is more recent penguin like stance. Last pic was from at least a year or more ago (when she was well)

 

[mg15]

Poor girl

 

[coach723]

Good photo's, thank you for posting. You never know when it may help someone else.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[Faraday40]

I know this is an old thread but adding some more for anyone that might be experiencing it. I thought my girl had EYP or something. She’s had poopy bottom. She never really was much of a layer. In March I noticed her belly warm and full like a water balloon. I had drained some fluid-at one point it was clearish yellow and another brown. She started doing the slow waddle penguin stance and would have good days and bad days. Finally we could tell it was time. After helping her pass I opened her up and found this. They just didn’t stop, I couldn’t really find an end to them, some were all the way up to her neck. One almost prolapsed out of her vent. I have no idea how she survived this long. She is at peace now though.
In August she’d have been 3. 2nd to last pic is more recent penguin like stance. Last pic was from at least a year or more ago (when she was well)

Sorry for your loss. Her story is much like our hen's and many others on this thread. It's sad but all part of loving and caring for our chickens. In time may your happy memories outweigh the sadness. Thank you for sharing.