Crap- what is going on- swollen face

[Piotre]

I've been draining the cheek 2x/day. I used a small disposable hooked scalpel. The drainage is clear to milky and very thick. Started 1cc (1ml) Tylan 50 tonight orally. Still otherwise healthy and are great patients-no fuss or struggle.

 

[TheNuttyChick]

Doing better? Any idea if this would be a reoccurring issue?

 

[HollyDelightly]

• Piotre, can you tell me a bit more about your process for draining the cheek? I think I need to do it on a chicken.

 

[barra060]

You might want to try and irrigate the area with a dilute betadine solution. It's very important for any abscess to stay open to allow drainage.

 

[Piotre]

Thanks for asking. Yes, all is better. It took me 7 days of aggressive treatment. I also waited probably too long for advice from Colorado Extention Service. They are mandated by Co law to help, but they were useless. Absolutely NO HELP! BYC and a link to Florida Ext Svc was very helpful.
As I said, I started treatment several weeks after than when I should have. Draining, and Tylan 50 eventually worked. I used T50 for 7 days (2 more than recommended). One treatment was 1ml with 22 gauge needle into cheek. All others were 1 ml orally. So far all is good. I hope this does not re-occur. I also have 2 Bourbon Reds, and 6 Chickens (3 kinds) that were never affected. Only the "Chocolate" Turkeys had this. I never heard of "Chocolates" before, any input? Also, I would have been lost without this BYC forum. Thanks to all!

 

[Piotre]

My advice, and I started way too late: I used a surgical scalpal. You can use full size, or a mini disposeable. I washed cheek with alcohol and/or other antiseptics. After small (1/8-1/4 inch) incision I squeezed crap out. On follow up treatments, I found a 20 gauge needle with syringe would work. Initially a needle didn't work because fluid was too thick. Probably because I waited too long. If you are catching this soon, try a needle. Afterwards, I swiped cheek with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide (store strength), and dabbed some Lilly 110 (Tincture of Benzoin) over wound. I happen to have the Lilly 110 because it closes up cuts quick. On people too. Not needed- I think Iodine would be fine. When using needles, use flame or alcohol to cleanse. For needles-syringes, I found the grocery pharmacy is cheepest. $0.25 per 20 or 22 gauge from Kroger. $1.39 from ranch supply. Keep cleanliness in your head to avoid contamination. In other words, keep the alcohol or peroxide avail, and use it. Hope this helps

 

[Piotre]

short answer, try a needle first. Swab cheek and then hopefully suck it out.. Another thing I forgot: I also used Vicks Vapo-Rub near nostrils (beak). I think it helped. It definately didn't hurt. And, laugh if ya want. Today was the day Cath's acknowledge St Frances (patron Saint of animals), so I sprinkled holy water over all the animals and asked God's blessing. Laughing? I don't care Polish Catholics bless everything. And it works.

 

[Arielle]

HEre is my 2 cents--more prevention: more ventilation. I suspect most of these issues are a simple nasel infection and not one of the horrible diseases birds can get. We tend to keep birds in small coops with poor ventilation. I have noted a difference between my birds that live cooped and those that free range. THe free rangers rarely if ever have a sinus problem; of those that are cooped, a bird or two will develop a sinus infection.

Good luck everyone with your treatments, then consider how to prevent a re-occurance.

 

[Piotre]

I would agree. However in my case all birds run free all day and get locked up for the night.

 

[TheNuttyChick]

Great info, now I have something I can always refer back to! Glad all is well and the treatments worked