Prolapse

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:25 pm

Just wanted to share what is proving to be a learning experience for me. One of my favorite gouldian hens recently started a clutch of eggs. She's laid before without problems, and is probably a little over two years old. She has a treat bowl available at all times with ground eggshell and mineralized oystershell. Despite this, when I checked on her yesterday I found that she had laid a soft egg and had suffered a complete prolapse (oviduct was turned completely inside out and pushed outside of her body for those who haven't had to deal with this before).

I've only had this happen once before, and the vet I brought that bird to would not treat - she would only euthanize (for about $150, which I ended up doing). She had given me the name of avian specialists across town, and said they'd take a look with a bill beginning at $800.

So when I saw that Polly had the prolapse, I figured I had nothing to lose if I tried to help her myself - the vet just wasn't an option unless I just wanted to euthanize her. She was very perky and the tissue wasn't drying out nor dirty yet. I took a q-tip and swabbed the entire thing with bacitracin (don't know if I should have used bacitracin, but that's what I had), and then worked the tissue back into her body. Every time I'd start to push it in she'd strain and push it back out, but eventually I got it back in to the point where it would stay put. I put her under heat with Guardian Angel, and this morning switched her to Amytl (an antiobiotic). I also gave her a drop of calciboost to the beak (recommended if there is a prolapse). She's perky and is perching, the skin color on her abdomen is good, and the oviduct has stayed where I put it. She's eating, drinking, and best of all pooping (so that is still in working order). I don't know if Amtyl is strong enough or if it's the right antibiotic for the job (though it does say for primary and secondary bacterial infections), or if the bacitracin was a bad choice (K-Y would have been better, but I didn't have any), but so far so good. I'm going to have to watch for infection, but at least she hasn't died of shock yet.

I've also learned to watch a laying hen's intake of calcium - just making it available is not enough if she decides not to consume it. I have calciboost available but do not often add it to their water - it's just one more thing to worry about in the morning. I put a dish with eggshell and ground cuttlebone in the hospital cage just in case - maybe she prefers the cuttlebone......

I'll keep you all updated on how she does, but am encouraged that maybe there is a possibility of recovery - maybe there actually is something we can do when this happens.

trevorama · Post by **trevorama** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:05 pm

I hope she makes it through this. Sounds like you're doing everything possible.
Heather

ladylovesfinch · Post by **ladylovesfinch** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:58 pm

Thank you for sharing this experience. I hope Polly continues on her path to recovery. Please keep us updated as to her progress.

jabo322 · Post by **jabo322** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:58 pm

Wow, poor Polly. That was some quick thinking on your part. I hope Polly makes a full recovery. Yes, please do keep us posted.

Rae2 · Post by **Rae2** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:31 pm

I hope your little bird makes it ok!
Sounds like a bad experience, that I pray I will never have to deal with.

You have done your best, for this little gal..

I hope all will be well.
Keep us updated.

Post by **Sally** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:23 pm

Oh, Hilary, I can't imagine how difficult that must have been. I tried doing some research on a prolapse, and most of it dealt with larger birds. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, so I will keep my fingers crossed for you and Polly.

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:21 pm

Thanks all! I'll keep you posted on her progress. When I came home and checked on her it looked like she spent the day eating, drinking and pooping - typical bird. She's very alert and her feathers are tight, and nothing has popped back out (one of my worries). When I checked on her she looked at me as if to say "Why on earth am I in this little cage, and where is my Hank?" Until now I considered a prolapse with a finch to be a death sentence - wouldn't it be wonderful if this works? Looks like my biggest problem going forward will be possible infection, so keep your fingers crossed.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:04 am

Wow...what an ordeal. I sure hope she will come through without infection.

I watched the Vet push back in a prolapse in one of our Cows...that was a real experience

...she would strain and push it out again too but it finally stayed put once he temporarily stitched her closed for a few days. We couldn't breed that Cow anymore cause once that happens it likely would happen the next time she gave birth.

I can't imagine treating the bird for that....they are so tiny!

You are a good Finch Mom Nurse!

TammyS · Post by **TammyS** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:12 am

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your little hen!! I have read about this happening in finches before - and the treatment you did is exactly what was recommended. As another poster mentioned - the biggest risk at this point may be infection.

So far things sound good and she may make a full recovery! Keep us posted on her progress!

Post by **Hilary** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:07 pm

Update. It's Polly's fifth day on the Amtyl and sixth day since the prolapse, and she looks wonderful! I'm debating whether to keep her on the antibiotics 2 more days just to make sure (manufacturer recommends 5 days) before starting the probiotics.

ladylovesfinch · Post by **ladylovesfinch** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:45 pm

That's the best news!!! I am so thankful she's doing well and one the mend. What a good bird mama you are

Post by **Hilary** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:56 pm

Ah shucks... It was more of a case of "what have I got to lose?" I've never heard of this working for anybody, but figured the vet would only put her down and I couldn't just leave her to die of shock. I must have caught her right after it happened. Whew!!

jabo322 · Post by **jabo322** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:52 pm

Wow, great news, I'm so happy for you

.

As for the Amtyl, I assume it won't hurt her to be on it for a couple more days? If not, I say give it to her. I know I would want to be sure that every trace of any possible infection is gone.

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:03 pm

That was my thought as well. I'll give it to her for two more days. I took away the extra heat today as well. She was cooking, and hasn't been fluffed at all since this happens. She's also set just below two cages each of which has a clamp light, so it's a warm corner, anyway. I keep changing the paper towel in the hospital cage, and am amazed that everything seems to be functioning normally. By Friday she should be back in the hen cage if she keeps up like this - wow!!

tursiopschic · Post by **tursiopschic** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:09 pm

This is great to hear, very helfpul info.