[cowboymom]

Please do call, JB, someone will give you an idea of what you're dealing with.

I had a sick hen that lingered for WEEKS (like yours is doing) and it was a terrible stress, honestly. I don't take these things too seriously usually (mine wasn't a pet, didn't have a name, nothing but I wanted to save her) but the more you work on them and try and try and try the more emotionally invested you get and even though the writing was on the wall I was so much more upset when she finally did die than if I had just found her dead in the first place!

Make a call, get more info, for your sake as well as hers!

[jetsmom]

I've been following this thread, and know nothing about birds. Can someone explain why a regular vet couldn't sedate, and a syringe couldn't be injected into egg, and fluid sucked out, and then the egg shell broken and removed? That's more simplistic than what would really happen, but I don't understand why a normal non bird vet couldn't help..

Do broken egg shells just inside the vent kill the bird? Or is it the yolk being released inside a bird that can kill it?

Couldn't a regular non bird vet sedate, and lubricate egg to get it out?

[JB]

In asking both my small animal and equine vets, none of them feel comfortable sedating a bird, though I think if they were really gung-ho about it they could look up and figure out dosing.

My vets know about nothing more about chickens than I do, and at this point I know a bit more than them lol.

Your thought of sucking the egg dry, collapsing the shell hopefully more or less intact via the membrane is actually a treatment if you know it's an egg. If some shell pieces are left right near the vent, apparently they can expel that pretty well. I don't know how far back things have to be to pretty much be a Very Bad Thing.

I have not seen reference to anything but the shell being a problem - good question.

[jetsmom]

In asking both my small animal and equine vets, none of them feel comfortable sedating a bird, though I think if they were really gung-ho about it they could look up and figure out dosing.

My vets know about nothing more about chickens than I do, and at this point I know a bit more than them lol.

Your thought of sucking the egg dry, collapsing the shell hopefully more or less intact via the membrane is actually a treatment if you know it's an egg. If some shell pieces are left right near the vent, apparently they can expel that pretty well. I don't know how far back things have to be to pretty much be a Very Bad Thing.

I have not seen reference to anything but the shell being a problem - good question.

Thank you for trying to explain it. Sending good wishes, and prayers for your little hen. I admire your persistance in trying to help her.
(Are there any farmers around you that could offer help? Do you have any farm animal rescues that might have a farm vet on staff? Does your local AC/Humane society have a vet on staff that could help?)

[leaf]

In Gail Damerow's chicken books she says for an egg bound hen, to lubricate a finger with mineral oil or KY and insert into vent. With other hand push against her abdomen and work egg toward the vent. If you can see the egg, but can't get it out, puncture the shell and remove in pieces. Don't injure hen with sharp shards. Rinse remaining egg bits out with hydrogen peroxide in a squirt bottle. If any tissue protrudes from vent treat for prolapse by applying a hemorrhoidal cream and isolate the hen 'til she heals so other hens won't kill her by pecking the prolapse. This is all done without sedation.

I've never done this, but it sounds fairly straightforward, I guess.

I've used Isoflurane gas anesthesia on chickens by masking them down as you would a dog or cat. This was at the vet clinic.

Best wishes.

[JB]

Thanks leaf, yeah, I have that book and in theory I know what to do LOL I guess I will take a stab at one or both tonight.

Here's a picture - most definitely egg bound! Ack, poor girl
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7601531_n.jpg

[Crackerdog]

Oh, the poor thing. That looks horribly uncomfortable! Is there any way you could just turn the egg? Maybe if it's pointing the right way it will slip out on its own?

[JB]

Cracker, that's what I'm hoping I can do later (I REALLY need to get to work!!) I can syringe a lot of KY jelly in there, moosh things around, and maybe hopefully get it turned a little bit. More lube, and hopefully massage things front-back and try to get it on the move.

[leaf]

Holy Cow JB.
Who took that x-ray? Do they do it often, without lead gloves? Those are a lot of human finger bones in there. Put yer gloves on.

But the egg sure is visable. What's the other stuff that looks like egg shell material? I think stuff is backing up.

Oh dear, it's do or die time, I believe.
Your hen is living a better life than 99.999999% of the rest of chickens in this world. What ever happens, she's a lucky bird to live with you.

[Bacardi1]

Many kudos to you for trying to do what you can, but I've unfortunately read that eggbound hens can be prone to repetitive episodes. Hope this isn't the case in your case, but just something to keep in mind if she doesn't make it. It may be for the best.

[JB]

Leaf, I know, those fingers right??!! Not mine! Just not going there lol

There's a very good chance this is a double yolk egg and if so, is probably a large part of why it's stuck. Bad news is she's apt to produce more doubles, and it may be her doubles are simply too large for her. That would really really suck if this happens again to her . Something else also mentioned was trouble with uterine contractibility or whatever its called, which would also be a Very Bad Thing. It will just kill me to have to put her down to save her from herself

Operation Egg Extraction commences tonight. Wish us luck!

[leaf]

Good Luck to you!!
Where's Zu Zu?

[jetsmom]

Sending you and your little hen lots of jingles, good wishes and prayers for success...

[My2cents]

Holy Cow JB.
Who took that x-ray? Do they do it often, without lead gloves? Those are a lot of human finger bones in there. Put yer gloves on.

But the egg sure is visable. What's the other stuff that looks like egg shell material? I think stuff is backing up.

Oh dear, it's do or die time, I believe.
Your hen is living a better life than 99.999999% of the rest of chickens in this world. What ever happens, she's a lucky bird to live with you.

If its a digital 'x-ray', no need for lead gloves or aprons.

[JB]

It was indeed digital - did not know that about the exposure

[Zu Zu]

GOOD LUCK !!!! OEE JINGLES & AO !

This a whole new Jingle !!!

Jingle Jingle Jingle & AOOEE ~ AOOEE ~ AOOEE ~ Always Optimistic (for) Operation Egg Extraction !

Operation Egg Extraction commences tonight. Wish us luck!

[Crackerdog]

Good Luck! I hope everything goes well.

[JB]

Zu Zu, your color is back!!!

Operation Egg Extraction has begun:

Stage 1: Long soak in hot sudsy water, which she's done before and *thoroughly* enjoys

[ReSomething]

Good luck with OEE and I'm glad she seems like a cooperative patient!

[cowboymom]

Welp I guess I'm on Egg Watch tonight!