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Vent Gleet
Other Names: Infected Cloaca, Cloacitis, Pasting
Cloacitis, commonly referred to as vent gleet, is the inflammation of the chicken's cloaca. It isn't a specific disease but more of a gastrointestinal condition that can be caused by a number of different reasons, including many types of organisms (fungi, protozoa, parasites, yeast, and bacteria). Cloacitis can even be brought on by stress, often associated with egg laying, bowel infection, or a hormonal-related issue. Stress causes an increase in pH levels which predisposes chickens to developing infection in the cloaca and nearby organs including the rectum and uterus.
Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Keep the cloaca area clean and free of built-up feces
Using warm, soapy water, gently clean any fresh or dried buildup of feces off of the chicken. Using an oral syringe filled with a saline-solution wound wash, gently rinse out and massage the cloaca area. Apply SSD cream Repeat as often as needed for the next 3 or 4 days in order to make sure that the cloaca area is kept clean.
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