Please help: look at photos! Hen sinus or facial swelling?

I posted a few days ago but there were so few responses! Has anyone seen this before? Have any suggestions what it could be or where I could find more info?

Background info: I don't know when this first started, but I would guess at least two months ago, about mid-November. Hen (Columbian Wyandotte) is just finishing molt, and I noticed the swellings just in the start of molting. Whatever it is does not seem to be transmitting to the other chickens, and does not seem to be causing any other symptoms of illness: she has clear eyes, nostrils, eating normally, etc. I don't have access to a vet with bird expertise and all of my internet and library searching has turned up nothing.

The soft patch of skin between eye and beak looks like there is a bubble under the skin. Not bleeding, oozing, scabby or anything else, just puffy. Both sides of the head are affected. I am half tempted to lance one side open, to see if this is some sort of abscess, but I don't want to cause further discomfort, or possibly spread something to the other hens!

I am not sure what to do. I am not opposed to culling any ill bird for the benefit of the flock, but her symptoms do not seem to warrant culling just yet. I just have no idea what's going on.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

I'd try just sticking a large needle in it first and see if what comes out.

--Kathy

Could be a sinus infection.you can see swelling on sides. You could Terramycin(oxytetracycline) broad spectrum antibiotic.

Yes, thanks, now that someone had to point it out to me it does look like a sinus infection. It doesn't seem to be affecting the respiratory system, hopefully that's a good thing. If I don't know the cause of specific infection, would it be safest to use a broad spectrum antibiotic, and what's best? Ten Chicks, you suggested Terramycin (oxytetracycline), have you used this before? I'm new to treating chickens with antibiotics, but I'll do whatever I can to get her better. (I also did buy a needle and syringe to see if I could pull out some fluid, more out of curiosity of what's in that swelling - clear fluid, pus - than anything else). I may separate her from the other hens to be on the safe side of not infecting the others. Thanks for the help, now to treat the girl...

SillyMissLily said:

Yes, thanks, now that someone had to point it out to me it does look like a sinus infection. It doesn't seem to be affecting the respiratory system, hopefully that's a good thing. If I don't know the cause of specific infection, would it be safest to use a broad spectrum antibiotic, and what's best? Ten Chicks, you suggested Terramycin (oxytetracycline), have you used this before? I'm new to treating chickens with antibiotics, but I'll do whatever I can to get her better. (I also did buy a needle and syringe to see if I could pull out some fluid, more out of curiosity of what's in that swelling - clear fluid, pus - than anything else). I may separate her from the other hens to be on the safe side of not infecting the others. Thanks for the help, now to treat the girl...

Click to expand...

I personally have not used oxytetracycline(terramycin),i do use tetracycline hydrochloride(duramycin 10)as this is readily available to me in Canada,both come in a powder that you add to water. They are basically the same,terramycin might be a bit stronger.

In chickens the pus/infection is more of a hard cheesy like substance,not liquid pus like in other animals. If you are trying to remove infection(might be a good idea to try,if the medication does not help)it will have to be dug out.

I treated a hen with a sinus infection with sulfa and it was effective. Called the vet and got some Bactrim like we humans use.

Here is a little update: I did buy a needle and syringe yesterday, hoping to suck out some fluid and see what was in there. She did NOT like having her face poked at, and I was doing this one-handed - pretty difficult. I pressed on both swellings and it felt like the one on her right side was somewhat solid, but the left side, the more swollen side, was more squishy. I had a pretty good hold on her head, but when I touched the point of the needle to her she jerked, and it poked a tiny hole in the swelling. That side oozed some semi-clear liquid with some yellowish pussy streaks in it. I gently squeezed out what I could, until it just bled. There is still some swelling, but I think relieving the pressure was good. The other side she wouldn't let me do much to, too much struggling and too close to her eye for my comfort with not having another handler. I might try that side later, but I don't know if I want to go digging at her face. I should try to get antibiotics today. I need to do something else,though. I found this person's experience in another forum, this case got worse and she ended up euthanizing:

http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7970435&hilit=eye+tissue+tumour

(and as a side note, I did check inside the hen's mouth - clean and clear, nothing lodged in there.)

Your bird is not nearly as bad as this, but you might find it useful.
http://connerhills.com/sinus_infection_removal.html

-Kathy

Yikes!! I'm not going to let my girl get that bad. Thank you for sharing. Indeed, seeing something done first before trying it myself is always better.