Water Belly

Water Belly refers to the fluid accumulated in the abdominal cavity as a consequence of heart failure. The disease is more scientifically known as pulmonary hypertension syndrome and this disease may or may not actually end up as what is known as ascites.

This condition is most often found in rapidly grown meat birds yet it can effect any bird. It is a disease that is brought on by the failure of the right ventricle of the heart. In humans this is more commonly known as congestive heart failure, where fluid builds up around the heart and lungs.

A similar, though more complex, situation will also occur in the chicken’s circulatory system. The blood pressure will back up from the lungs, through the heart, back to the liver and abdominal viscera. The heart will enlarge due to both pressure and, with time, hypertrophy of the muscles due to the hard pumping activity (exactly the way in which skeletal muscles will enlarge in weight lifters as they "pump iron"). Further upstream, the blood vessels will also enlarge, causing the liver to swell and blood vessels on the intestines to become prominent. Because blood vessels are also quite leaky, fluid will leak out and that is the source of all the extra "water" seen in the abdomen of affected birds. You will notice considerable swelling of the abdominal area between the vent and the keel. It will feel squishy like a water balloon. The bird will generally appear healthy but may look a bit ruffled. They will start walking like they are bow-legged if the swelling is pronounced. You may witness some swelling and then it will go back to normal after a few days only to swell again. This may happen many times before the body cannot keep up with the fluid that is being produced.

In most backyard poultry, this condition can be maintained through proper diet. Individual birds that show swelling of the abdomen can be drained to relieve pressure and distress. As the abdomen swells it makes it more difficult for the bird to walk. It also puts pressure on the internal organs. Draining the abdomen of a bird is actually a simple procedure. A large needle such as a 16 gauge can be used with a very large syringe. The needle is inserted slightly into the lower abdomen to avoid puncturing any internal organs and as much fluid as possible is extracted using the syringe. This fluid is straw colored and like water in consistency. Once the needle is removed it is possible that remaining fluid will drain from the abdomen. This will not cure the problem but does provide relief. Because this disease is not curable it may be necessary to repeat the draining procedure should the effected bird swell again.

Just because a bird develops Water Belly does not mean that it is an immediate death sentence for it. Many birds go on to live fairly normal and relatively healthy lives apart from an occasional draining. We have a small Old English Game Bantam that developed water belly more than two years ago and she is still doing just fine. We constantly monitor her swelling and have only had to drain her abdomen twice in that time. Her system is able to absorb much of the fluid buildup. She will swell and then the swelling will go down. It is only when she starts having trouble walking that we have had to drain her.

Just as in humans, a diet that is lower in sodium will help to control the effects of Water Belly. Water Belly is not contagious but the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension does seem to have some genetic markers that can be passed to offspring just as if your family has a history of heart problems you would be more susceptible to it so it seems to be the case in poultry. This is not to say that resulting offspring would ever show signs of pulmonary hypertension but they could.