Egg Yolk Peritonitis

Poor chicken is looking worse!  Earlier today I picked her up and palpated the area below the vent. She has swelling and fluid pooling in her abdomen. Her poos are watery and yellowish. Her wings are droopy, and she's showing a preference for sitting rather than standing.  In fact, she fell over when I placed her back in the crate. What to do?

I've been searching the internet for a possible diagnosis.  I think I've finally hit upon it .... egg yolk peritonitis.  Egg yolk peritonitis is a condition related to egg production that may be fatal to the bird. It is caused by yolk fluid leaking from the oviduct and ovaries into the abdominal cavity. The fluid builds up there, causing a visible swelling of the abdomen.  Droppings will range from normal, to yellowish and diarrhea.  Antibiotics will not help this problem, but if the peritonitis remains sterile, the hen may last this way for years.  If the chicken is miserable, has stopped eating and is obviously quite sick the most humane thing would be to put her down.  I'm afraid that's what it's come to with my chicken.

Hens with sterile egg yolk peritontis will continue to eat and get around, although they will not lay anymore. If the hen has sterile EYP, not treating the bird at all is an option, or the fluid may be drained off by an avian vet.  Hens with sterile EYP should be treated immediately if they get a respiratory infection or an infection of the intestines, as the bacteria from the airsacs and intestines can "leak" into the abdomen, causing septic EYP which is fatal.  Sometimes an egg will get stuck or even break in the oviduct and the resulting infection from that will cause EYP. This type of EYP usually turns septic and is fatal.

A helpful website:  http://www.thepoultrysite.com/
An article about Non-infectious Diseases of Poultry:  http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Anim_Dis/667.pdf