Duck Ear Infection?

[JewelBirds]

I have a Muscovy duck that seems to have an ear infection. There's a swelling on the left side that feels hard right around where her ear is.
When I got close to look inside her ear, I did notice what looked like pus and a smell.
I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and see if they would be willing to take a sample to see if it's bacteria or a fungus, not sure if they will. In the past, they haven't been willing to see poultry, but they will sell medicine for them if I ask for something. So, my question really is if they are willing to test it to see what it is, is there anything specifically I should ask for? Also, if they find that it is bacteria, should I be giving oral antibiotics as well? (I have amoxicillin capsules on hand). Anything I can do for her for now until I call tomorrow and try to get everything figured out?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you are going to get testing to determine bacteria or fungal infection, the vet should be able to tell you what medication is best to give.

Can you see pus in the ear canal? General care for ear infection is to apply 1 drop of Peroxide in the ear, let that sit for a minute, then press out the pus and wipe clean. Only use 1 drop of Peroxide at a time. Once you remove the pus, put triple antibiotic ointment in the ear.

BUT, it's best to see a vet if at all possible.

 

[JewelBirds]

Called the vet. They won't see her which isn't surprising, but they won't even test a sample for me. They gave me a number to call for some place about an hour from here, but when I looked it up I found out they've been closed down for 6 months. So I'm on my own.
Yes, I see a hard, whitish yellow pus/substance blocking the external hole. Will the peroxide work for hard pus?
Could I use something like triple max that treats both fungal and bacterial infection?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't know anything about triple max, so hopefully someone else can chime in about that.

General care for ear infection is in my previous post. There's a quite a few threads about ear infections if you do an onsite search.

 

[JewelBirds]

Okay, thank you.
I did use the hydrogen peroxide and was able to get some of it out. I will continue to work at it and apply ointment and see if I can find info on the triple max for using for ducks (usually it's used for cats/dogs).

 

[JewelBirds]

I was able to get some decently sized chunks out of her ear this morning

Other threads I've read about ear infections say not to try to get the chunks that go deeper in the ear. How do I tell when it is too deep? There seems to be some stuff that isn't too deep, but I don't want to hurt her and make things worse by trying to get them.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That looks like a “canker”. They are caused by Trichomonas gallinae which is a protozoan parasite. The treatment is usually Ronidazole (Ronnivet-S) . https://www.mikesfalconry.com/produ...zi4zkptRIqDwqUzmwaM0i7LUl6Ra4F-hoCZwQQAvD_BwE

 

[JewelBirds]

That looks like a “canker”. They are caused by Trichomonas gallinae which is a protozoan parasite. The treatment is usually Ronidazole (Ronnivet-S) . https://www.mikesfalconry.com/produ...zi4zkptRIqDwqUzmwaM0i7LUl6Ra4F-hoCZwQQAvD_BwE

It's possible, but without getting it tested, I cannot know for sure. According to this source, (https://chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker), ear infections caused by that protozoa are unlikely. Not saying that it isn't, just that I can't know without testing it and that's not an option for me unfortunately. She doesn't have any other lesions that I see in her mouth/throat, but I will keep that treatment in mind if anything else does pop up.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It's possible, but without getting it tested, I cannot know for sure. According to this source, (https://chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker), ear infections caused by that protozoa are unlikely. Not saying that it isn't, just that I can't know without testing it and that's not an option for me unfortunately. She doesn't have any other lesions that I see in her mouth/throat, but I will keep that treatment in mind if anything else does pop up.

They are actually more common just search this forum and you will see many ear canker posts. They are not always accompanied by mouth cankers. That is not an accredited source and should be taken with a grain of salt if even that. https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/pet-library/articles-of-interest/birds/canker-in-birds/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, ear canker is a possibility. It's good that you are able to remove some of the pus.

I wouldn't dig too deeply into the ear, see if the pus will work its way to the ear opening over time.