Prolapsed vent won't stay in, & she's struggling to poop

[GoodGuinea]

Hi. I've got a 3-year-old hen, breed unknown (was supposed to be a California White, but is not). She has always been in good health and my best layer, until the last couple of months she started laying sporadically, and occasionally soft-shelled eggs. I attributed it to a wintertime molt, and tried to make sure she had good nutrition and plenty of calcium.

This morning she had laid a very bloody egg, and had a mass of deep red tissue protruding from her vent. I have never dealt with a prolapsed vent before, but I believe that's what it is. It was covered in caked-on poop, along with all the feathers in the area. She seems to be straining to poop more.

I separated her and sat her in a warm water bath to clean it as much as possible. Some of the poop is still stuck, and I haven't been able to remove it without damaging the prolapsed tissue. I put hydrocortisone cream on it, and tried to gently push it back inside, but she immediately pushes it back out each time. She keeps straining, and little bits of poop come out every now and then, but not much and not often.

I'm worried about (a) the prolapse that keeps coming out, and (b) that she is too blocked up. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would give her a human calcium tablet with D 600 mg or a Tums today and repeat it daily for a few days. That can help with muscle contraction to pass another egg if one is close behind, or to help her prolapse go back inside. Keep it moist so that it does not dry out. Honey, sugar plus a few drops of water or oil are all used for that purpose. Try soaking the vent daily as needed until it goes back in, or you can push it back in.

 

[GoodGuinea]

So far, nothing is working. I honestly can't tell any difference since it happened 5 days ago, except she fights harder when I try to treat her. Even touching her rear with warm/lukewarm water seems very painful. I try to pop it back in now & then, but it seems like torture to her, & it comes right back out anyway. It's about the size of an avocado pit.

I've got her hanging out in a dog crate in my basement. She's able to poop, & she laid an egg on Monday. I'm still giving her Tums, & putting hydrocortisone & honey on it. Sometimes I spray it with Vetricyn instead, to avoid the struggle.

Does it sometimes take this long? Longer? Is there still hope she'll recover?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Please post some photos.

Thank you.

 

[Chickery_chick_chalachala]

So far, nothing is working. I honestly can't tell any difference since it happened 5 days ago, except she fights harder when I try to treat her. Even touching her rear with warm/lukewarm water seems very painful. I try to pop it back in now & then, but it seems like torture to her, & it comes right back out anyway. It's about the size of an avocado pit.

I've got her hanging out in a dog crate in my basement. She's able to poop, & she laid an egg on Monday. I'm still giving her Tums, & putting hydrocortisone & honey on it. Sometimes I spray it with Vetricyn instead, to avoid the struggle.

Does it sometimes take this long? Longer? Is there still hope she'll recover?

Any responses?

 

[GoodGuinea]

Hi. Thanks for checking.

Actually, right about when I was giving up, the prolapse went back in on its own. I never made any headway with it at all, & I don't know exactly how it happened. But she seems completely back to normal, & I'm very grateful.

 

[Chickery_chick_chalachala]

Thank you for responding! I am going into day three and happy to hear this. She is fine otherwise so I will keep at it. So happy for you!!