Chicken with cancer or infection?

[averkademay]

Hello, fellow chicken tenders!

I have an old ( about 6-8-year-old) Black Japanese Rooster who has solid swollen earlobes on each side. He also has a hard module located on this throat and a slightly swollen comb. I started noticing issues a few days ago after his neck feathers were noticeably being pulled off by the other birds. He has trouble eating and drinking, yet he is willing to do so if prompted.

What is your opinion? Cancer or some sort of infection?
What would you suggest I do for treatment or is it his last days?

Thank you for your time

 

[MysteryChicken]

I think they're swollen lympnodes, which would indicate he's fighting some sort of infection. I think there's lymphnodes located in the Earlobes.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@azygous

What are your opinions, & suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

Could he have been stung by a bee or other insect, or could the others have bumped or pecked him so much that his earlobes, comb, and wattles are swollen? I would look for something that might have sting, a mark of a sting, and try a small dose of benadryl just once to see if it helps. I am not a vet, so I cannot really make a diagnosis. Was he vaccinated for anything?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where are you located in the world?


I see mucous clogging the nostrils - any lesions or pus inside the beak?

 

[Eggcessive]

He also looks like he is gasping and shaking his head and smaking his beak as well. Can you get a better video or pictures of him upright. Holding his down or on his back can cause crop contents to come back up in his throat, and he seems to be smacking his beak like that is happening.

 

[averkademay]

Thank you all for your time and your kind suggestions.

To answer a few questions:

I can see it being a bee/insect sting, but is that rare for it to be on both sides? I couldn't find any sting marks and I have him separated to prevent any more feather pulling. I will try the Benedryl later tonight after work. He was a chicken from McMurry Hatchery, therefore he should be vaccinated for New Castle Disease.

I am located in the midwest portion of America. I also did clean out his nostrils about two weeks prior. It looked like he had a slightly moist nostril that was getting full of chicken feed dust. So, I used a wet Q-tip to clear out the solidified matter in his nostrils.

I checked inside his beak and no lesions could be seen. It was light pink in color and very clean.

Here is a video of him upright. Holding him on his side was the only way I could get a clear shot of the module on his lower neck. However, you can see he is still struggling to swallow some chicken feed mixed in water.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully, the swelling will go down. It is unusual for swelling to be so widespread, so hopefully, it is an allergic reaction. Respiratory infection might be a possibility, but I would watch for any bubbles or foam in an eye or for the nasal blockage to recur. Let us know how he gets along.

 

[averkademay]

Here is an update. I accidentally got the wrong form of the Benedryl and had to go back the next day to get the children's liquid Benedryl. I dosed him yesterday and today there does not seem to be any change in his condition. However, I will note that his nostrils are clogged again. Should I start treating for respiratory with intermuscular shots of Tylan 50?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here is an update. I accidentally got the wrong form of the Benedryl and had to go back the next day to get the children's liquid Benedryl. I dosed him yesterday and today there does not seem to be any change in his condition. However, I will note that his nostrils are clogged again. Should I start treating for respiratory with intermuscular shots of Tylan 50?

If you are going to treat with Tylan50 (injectable) give it orally instead of intramuscular. It's known to cause injection site necrosis and having to give him a stick 3 times a day would be painful.

Tylan50 dose is .25ml per pound of weight give orally 3 Times A Day for 5 Days In A Row.

Tylan is good for treating symptoms of bacteria like respiratory disease like Mycoplasma.