Post
by Crystal » Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:29 pm
From here it looks like a prolapse, probably uterine. In other words, her uterus (or another tubular part of her oviduct) has turned inside out and is protruding through the cloaca and out of her vent. It is possible to fix but requires immediate action. If this bird's owner has an avian vet nearby, his/her best bet is to take this hen to see the vet. She will probably need antibiotics (Baytril) as part of her treatment which can only be prescribed at the correct dosage by a vet.
The vet will assess the problem and if it is a uterine prolapse and the tissue is still vital, flush the tissue with sterile saline to clean it off and then use a small cotton-tipped applicator which has been heavily lubricated in sterile, water-based lubricant (such as sterile KY jelly) to gently push the uterus back into the cloaca and through the vagina into its natural position. Sometimes the vet will put a loose suture across the vent to prevent reoccurance of the prolapse, while still allowing feces to pass. It would be best to not allow this hen to breed in the future as oviductal prolapse is most often a complication of egg binding or straining to lay an egg. Diet and husbandry become really important here, as egg binding is often the result of poor nutrition or poor husbandry. This hen would probably benefit from calcium and vitamin A among other nutrients added to her diet if she survives the prolapse correction.
It could be a different tissue prolapsing through (like just the cloaca), or not a prolapse at all (i.e. it could be a tumor, though I still think it looks most like a prolapse). Either way she should see a vet.
Let me know what comes of this, and good luck!!
-Crystal
Last edited by
Crystal on Sun Feb 26, 2006 4:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.