Chicken ear infection?

[BirdNerdSophie]

Hi guys,

I have a Dorking cockerel called Danny who has had chronic ear problems for almost a year now and I'm having a really hard time working out what the issue is and how to treat it.

The symptoms are: blocked up ear canals full of hard yellow/brown wax/pus which smells awful, ear openings crusted shut with the wax/pus and shaking of the head whist shuffling backwards.

There are no mites at all but I have diatomed and treated for mites on many occasions to be safe. have treated it through removing all of the wax/pus and applying Otex ear drops (containing hydrogen peroxide) which hasn't worked. I also had him on a course of Baytril 2.5% which seemed to help the first time round, but since the most recent flare up, the second course I have given him hasn't worked. He has also previously had Tylan soluble which didn't do anything either! None of his 4 friends have any symptoms so whatever it is isn't contagious.

If anyone has any ideas on what could be wrong/treatment options, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[silly4buttons]

I have read on here to use Neosporin (with out pain reliever) in the ears after cleaning out the infection

 

[BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for your reply! We can't actually get Neosporin in the UK, not sure if there is an equivalent!

 

[silly4buttons]

I will find out for you

 

[Eggcessive]

Mites in ears aren’t seen by the eye without a microscope. He also could have a chronic respiratory infection that comes back again. I would try to see a vet if possible, since you have used antibiotics and ear drops. If not, I would use peroxide in the ear canal, and dig out the hardened pus. Then fill the ear canal with coconut oil preferrably, or petroleum jelly to smother any possible mites. Or repeat the ear drops. Your vet may have an equivalent to neosporin ointment.