Bantam with a large ear abcess

[Crazy Maizie]

My bantam oegb has an ear abcess. I found it Thursday late afternoon and started treating yesterday morning. I have been applying a warm compress, hydrogen peroxide, and coconut oil to soften it up. I've tried gently squeezing, but I haven't had any pus come out yet. This morning when I put the hydrogen peroxide on there was some bubbling. There is no hole for it to spill out that I can see. But, I don't want to cause her any pain so I don't work at it for more than 10 min. Also, when I was working with her today, she adjusted her crop twice. I looked in her mouth and I don't see anything. So, it's probably just a coincidence - but I thought I'd mention it.

I just isolated her this afternoon to make sure she's eating. She started eating as soon as she saw the food. However, her dropping was very tiny and a dark green with some urates. Other than that she seems normal. She's a pretty calm bird so doesn't run around much, but I observed her pecking and sticking by her friend while she was in the run this morning.

Should I be concerned and is there anything else that I can do besides contacting a vet?

This photo is after I treated her, so the wetness that you see is the coconut oil.

 

[SmiYa0126]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous @Eggcessive please help!!

 

[azygous]

It really would be best to see a vet for this.

It appears to be an outer eat infection unless you've notice the patient appearing to be off balance. The first step in home care would be to soften the crust inside the ear opening. Warm compresses can get it started. Then use peroxide to further soften the crust. You will need a blunt small instrument, a cuticle tool may work, to remove the crust blocking the ear opening.

Continue with the peroxide and try to clean out the ear opening as best you can. Then pack the ear opening with triple antibiotic ointment. An oral antibiotic will also be necessary to treat this properly. Since you need to go through a vet to get most antibiotics now, you may as well let them treat the chicken. But if you feel competent and have an antibiotic on hand, you probably can handle this.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It really would be best to see a vet for this.

It appears to be an outer eat infection unless you've notice the patient appearing to be off balance. The first step in home care would be to soften the crust inside the ear opening. Warm compresses can get it started. Then use peroxide to further soften the crust. You will need a blunt small instrument, a cuticle tool may work, to remove the crust blocking the ear opening.

Continue with the peroxide and try to clean out the ear opening as best you can. Then pack the ear opening with triple antibiotic ointment. An oral antibiotic will also be necessary to treat this properly. Since you need to go through a vet to get most antibiotics now, you may as well let them treat the chicken. But if you feel competent and have an antibiotic on hand, you probably can handle this.

Thank you for your reply. I don't currently have antibiotics, but I will continue to treat until I can make an appointment.

She was being a little bit of a grumpy patient this evening as she kept taking the qtip out of my hand and throwing it. Wish I could have gotten a video of it.

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t have much to add to Azygous’s advice. Ear infections can be bacterial, fungal, from mites, and probably viruses. Do you have any antibiotics such as amoxicillin or bactrim (SMZ TMP?) I see that you just posted no antibiotics. My vet is not a poultry vet, but would see a chicken as a favor to get medications. Can you see any evidence of lice or mites around the head and neck? Has she been scratching at her face or ear?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I don’t have much to add to Azygous’s advice. Ear infections can be bacterial, fungal, from mites, and probably viruses. Do you have any antibiotics such as amoxicillin or bactrim (SMZ TMP?) I see that you just posted no antibiotics. My vet is not a poultry vet, but would see a chicken as a favor to get medications. Can you see any evidence of lice or mites around the head and neck? Has she been scratching at her face or ear?

She doesn't have any pests. She has some normal chicken dandruff. I haven't seen her scratch until just now while out there tending to her and putting peroxide in her ear. Then she shook her head and scratched. But, I just figured it was because of the peroxide.

I'm not sure what my vet will say, but a long time ago I had a cockatiel that I took to her and she trimmed his wings and nails (long before chickens and before I knew I could do that myself). But, I will call on Monday to see what she has to say. There is also another local vet that works with farm animals and 4-h animals. So if my vet isn't interested, I will call them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Good suggestions from everyone, the only other thing I might be able to contribute is a video to watch. Enjoy.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Good suggestions from everyone, the only other thing I might be able to contribute is a video to watch. Enjoy.

Okay but I enjoyed that too much I love abscess videos

 

[azygous]

I wanted to hide under something. I thought I was so tough.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I wanted to hide under something. I thought I was so tough.

Don't turn on the sound, it makes it easier. I have a hard time hearing a hen in distress...