Need Assistance Draining my hen- Los Angeles Area

[LA Farmer]

I would appreciate some assistance relieving my hen who has a case of water belly.
I haven't done this procedure before and the support would be helpful.

Thanks much.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Have you seen the youtube videos? There are two pretty decent ones I can link, if you'd like.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Many people use a 14 or 16 gage needle so it drains easily. Here is a good thread about ascites with a good close-up of the belly:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance.853726/

Here are 2 YouTube videos by the same person, one by herself and one with an assistant:

 

[LA Farmer]

I understand the process. My issue right now is I have a syringe and a blunt needle- don't want to poke her with a blunt needle. I can grind/shape it to a point if I must. No pharmacy in the area will sell a hypodermic needle w/o a prescription. Most if not all vets will not deal with hens b/c of the Newcastle quarantine.
Wanting to hook up with someone local who has done this before on my first foray.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a regular vet that knows you, who might sell you a large needle? Can cattle farmers obtain needles at feed stores?

 

[TRThompson]

You should be able to purchase a needle at a feed store.

 

[LA Farmer]

My vet knows my dogs and cats. Most vets here in L.A. do not engage with fowl. I called the major medical suppliers and pharmacies and even the vets I don't go to- none would sell. The Avian specialist would not take her in as a new client b/c of the Newcastle quarantine- not even to work with her out in the parking lot.
I used my diamond blade on my Dremel tool to turn my 18g. blunt needle into a hypodermic.
Will take a crack at draining her this evening.

 

[LA Farmer]

T,
I am considering holding off on working her tonight. My feed store, where we get our hens, is closed now but opens up in the morning. Got distracted from reaching out to them earlier today.
Thanks.

 

[LA Farmer]

Funny things about life- drug addicts can get free needles but I can't buy one to save my chickens life.
I used my homespun hypodermic and extracted 1/2 cup of fluid- note the greenish spinach juice appearance. I happened across a similar fluid on another post- not sure what the difference is between this and the clear yellowish that many others extract. There is more to pull from her but I don't want to stress her by pulling too much too fast.

 

[Eggcessive]

@casportpony or others that have drained ascites fluid may have answers as to why the fluid was more green. To me it looks more like bile. Could you have punctured the gall bladder? Did the fluid smell bad? Occasionally some have reported green fluid when draining fluid. It might mean there is infection, gallstones, or or liver liver/gallbladder issue.