Cystic right oviduct

[Eggcessive]

A cystic right oviduct, sometimes called persistent right oviduct happens when the right ovary does not atrophy and shrink away after birth. Normally hens only have a left oviduct remaining, but if the right oviduct does not shrink away, they can collect clear fluid inside a membrane. Many times this can be due to the chick being exposed to infectious bronchitis virus early in life. It is hard to know what is causing an enlarged belly until a necropsy is done after death.

Unless you have obtained clear colorless fluid before, I would suspect ascites or internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis. Ascites fluid is always yellow to deep amber, to almost green in severe cases, from bile. The only time that I have intervened and drained a hen with suspected ascites is when my favorite pet bantam had sudden labored breathing. She still passed away in 2 weeks from the reproductive problem that caused the ascites.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't know how to do that. I tried All over her right side to be honest. But not very high by the oviduct. I was mostly following the procedure of water belly since a few inches to the left and down of the cloaca had worked for me in the past. Do you think I should try moving up? I did see that picture yesterday but was hesitant to move up higher

No, I would not move higher. I'm not even sure I would attempt to drain again if she's in a tremendous amount of stress.
IF you do drain, drain the abdomen, below the vent between the legs like in the video posted below, if you get no fluid from there, then stop trying to drain.

You mention you were pulling hard and only getting air. You may be pulling from an Air Sac which is part of the respiratory system. Take care where you are inserting your needle.

The only time I've ever even read of draining cystic right ovary on a Live Hen, was by a Veterinarian who drained it, but they also were using imaging technology (Like Ultrasound) so they could locate the correct area and see where the needle was being inserted. Not surprising, the ovary filled up with fluid again in a few weeks and I believe it was drained again. After that complications arose and the hen did not make it. I cannot find the study or article that I read or I'd try to give you a link.

 

[Jenjens]

No, I would not move higher. I'm not even sure I would attempt to drain again if she's in a tremendous amount of stress.
IF you do drain, drain the abdomen, below the vent between the legs like in the video posted below, if you get no fluid from there, then stop trying to drain.

You mention you were pulling hard and only getting air. You may be pulling from an Air Sac which is part of the respiratory system. Take care where you are inserting your needle.

The only time I've ever even read of draining cystic right ovary on a Live Hen, was by a Veterinarian who drained it, but they also were using imaging technology (Like Ultrasound) so they could locate the correct area and see where the needle was being inserted. Not surprising, the ovary filled up with fluid again in a few weeks and I believe it was drained again. After that complications arose and the hen did not make it. I cannot find the study or article that I read or I'd try to give you a link.

Thank you. I gave in and made an appointment with a vet to see her tomorrow. But after your comment, I am very weary now. She has labored breathing. I can't just not do anything for her...But I thought I read somewhere, that if it is cystic right oviduct, it is not like water belly, and shouldn't come back.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you. I gave in and made an appointment with a vet to see her tomorrow. But after your comment, I am very weary now. She has labored breathing. I can't just not do anything for her...But I thought I read somewhere, that if it is cystic right oviduct, it is not like water belly, and shouldn't come back.

Oh good, I'm glad you will be able to see the vet, let us know how it goes!

 

[Jenjens]

Thank you. I gave in and made an appointment with a vet to see her tomorrow. But after your comment, I am very weary now. She has labored breathing. I can't just not do anything for her.

Oh good, I'm glad you will be able to see the vet, let us know how it goes!

Update: Willow got her abdominal tapped on saturday. We were in and out in about 30 minutes. the total bill was $115. $40 for the tap and then the office visit. She is doing so much better. Her breathing is back to normal, her eyes brighter, her mood lifted, her comb is redder. They were able to get a lot out. She is back to herself moaning and wining about who knows what like she always did. I want people on her who see this in the future, that sometimes the stress of trying to do it yourself isn't worth it. This vet saw chickens, but he said any vet could do it since they do it on pets as well. I will never try to do this to her again and will take her to the vet for this procedure if she needs it again. To me, even though I don't have a lot of money, the $115 was so worth it in the long run. I thank everyone trying to help me!

 

[Sally PB]

Thank you for the update. And thank you for taking care of her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: Willow got her abdominal tapped on saturday. We were in and out in about 30 minutes. the total bill was $115. $40 for the tap and then the office visit. She is doing so much better. Her breathing is back to normal, her eyes brighter, her mood lifted, her comb is redder. They were able to get a lot out. She is back to herself moaning and wining about who knows what like she always did. I want people on her who see this in the future, that sometimes the stress of trying to do it yourself isn't worth it. This vet saw chickens, but he said any vet could do it since they do it on pets as well. I will never try to do this to her again and will take her to the vet for this procedure if she needs it again. To me, even though I don't have a lot of money, the $115 was so worth it in the long run. I thank everyone trying to help me!

Thank you for the update!

I'm glad Willow is doing much better and that you were able to see a knowledgeable vet.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is great to hear that your vet drained her successfully. Did you get to see the fluid, and was it clear and colorless? I hope that she has more time with you without the labored breathing.

 

[Aoife123]

I currently have 2 hens with ascites and I've had 3 with it in total. My first hen I found with a purple comb swelled and struggling to breathe. A non avian vet I took her to was unable to get any fluid from her abdomen with a needle. She had drained hens before for me who had eyp with no problem but she couldn't get to the fluid in this hen. As a last effort I asked for furisomide diuretic tabs and once they kicked in she was flying it. She was actually able to run which I never saw her do in my time of owning her. I had to give her furisomide for 5 days every month as the fluid would just build up again. It got her a couple of more months but she eventually died from it. It was awful watching her in her last hours she was so swelled and I'd imagine in a lot of pain but the furisomide wasn't kicking in quick enough. I kept waiting for them to start working but they didn't. I now have 2 more hens with the same. One diagnosed by an avian vet and the other is suspect ascites as she is not showing signs of infection. I had one drained and on furisomide and she did not bounce back immediately but she is doing well now and the other in currently being treated with antibiotic and furisomide.
I was told by a vet that furisomide could not be given everyday to a hen because it did harm to the liver or kidney a member of my family is on furisomide for fluid and this is taken everyday for years and another person told me her dog was put on a low dose everyday for years.

I'm nervous about trying knowing when they need more furisomide tabs as I was too late with the first little hen I lost. I know it will eventually kill them but I hope they die a better death than my last hen that had ascites.

Has anyone been able to successfully manage the fluid using diuretics ?

It is my belief from what I've read and been told that the heart is failing and additional stress on the heart is causing the liver to leak fluid into the abdomen. Can it be a case that the hens fluid can be kept at bay until such time as the heart give out and let the animal die a less painful death?

 

[Jenjens]

That is great to hear that your vet drained her successfully. Did you get to see the fluid, and was it clear and colorless? I hope that she has more time with you without the labored breathing.

They wouldn't let me go back with her, but he said the fluid was clear. He also said the color of the fluid doesn't necessarily differentiate between water belly and cystic right oviduct. It would need to be tested to figure it out.