Ear Infection Just Won't Go Away

[HappyClucker7]

My poor rooster has been battling an ear infection for months now, and it just doesn't go away. I'm not quite sure what to do anymore.
Initially, I was treating him by flushing his ears with Hydrogen Peroxide and then packing them with Neosporin ointment. That seemed to give him temporary relief, but not much more.
Then, it was suggested that he might have Ear Canker, which based off the description, seemed to fit. I was then told to treat him with Baytril. It seemed to be working, because the swelling in his ears went down, and he looked more comfortable. I still kept seeing some dirt come out of his ears, but I figured maybe it needed some time to fully heal.
Now today, I checked his ears and they are as bad as they were before. It's been really cold and windy for the past couple days, which I think my have made it worse. But I think the ear infection was never really gone.
What can I do to help him?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Metronidazole.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/reoccurring-ear-infection.1512294/post-25429319
https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker

 

[HappyClucker7]

Metronidazole.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/reoccurring-ear-infection.1512294/post-25429319
https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker

Okay, what's the dosage for that? And to I give it in a syringe, or do I mix it with his water?

 

[Eggcessive]

Metronidazole dosage for chickens is 50 mg per pound daily for 5-7 days. Most 5 pound chickens would get 250 mg orally daily, but I would weigh your rooster to get an accurate weight. It sounds like the Baytril worked though. What dosage were you giving? I wonder if there is a reason that he keeps getting it?

 

[HappyClucker7]

Metronidazole dosage for chickens is 50 mg per pound daily for 5-7 days. Most 5 pound chickens would get 250 mg orally daily, but I would weigh your rooster to get an accurate weight. It sounds like the Baytril worked though. What dosage were you giving? I wonder if there is a reason that he keeps getting it?

He only weighs a little over a pound, so I was giving him a little more than 0.05ml twice a day for 6 days.

 

[Eggcessive]

Was that the 10% liquid Baytril? Of course, that would not help if it was a fungus. Baytril is an excellent antibiotic that will treat a lot of bacteria. Have you asked your vet to do a culture? I have never had to treat ear infection in a chicken, but it can help to find out what causes it. It sounds like the Baytril helped, so it may mean that his ears may require frequent cleaning. @dawg53 and others probably know a lot more than I do about ear problems.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Was that the 10% liquid Baytril? Of course, that would not help if it was a fungus. Baytril is an excellent antibiotic that will treat a lot of bacteria. Have you asked your vet to do a culture? I have never had to treat ear infection in a chicken, but it can help to find out what causes it. It sounds like the Baytril helped, so it may mean that his ears may require frequent cleaning. @dawg53 and others probably know a lot more than I do about ear problems.

Yes, that was the 10% liquid Baytril.
There's no vet around here that will see a chicken, unfortunately.
By cleaning, you mean what I was doing with the Hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin, or just cleaning out the dirt inside?

 

[Eggcessive]

I guess I just mean to check it often and perform a cleaning with the peroxide. I think that it can be bacterial, fungal, or viral. Mites can also cause problems. I would be tempted to give another round of Baytril and see if it helps. Metronidazole, like Baytril, is not approved for poultry, but both are used by vets for certain illnesses. Metronidazole is available as Aqua Zole online, or Flagyl by a vet.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I guess I just mean to check it often and perform a cleaning with the peroxide. I think that it can be bacterial, fungal, or viral. Mites can also cause problems. I would be tempted to give another round of Baytril and see if it helps. Metronidazole, like Baytril, is not approved for poultry, but both are used by vets for certain illnesses. Metronidazole is available as Aqua Zole online, or Flagyl by a vet.

Okay. Since I have the Baytril on hand, I'll try more of that first. If it doesn't work, I can try to get some Metronidazole. Finger crossed this infection finally goes away.

 

[Prop toe]

Was that the 10% liquid Baytril? Of course, that would not help if it was a fungus. Baytril is an excellent antibiotic that will treat a lot of bacteria. Have you asked your vet to do a culture? I have never had to treat ear infection in a chicken, but it can help to find out what causes it. It sounds like the Baytril helped, so it may mean that his ears may require frequent cleaning. @dawg53 and others probably know a lot more than I do about ear problems.

You are there boss antibiotics cure infection but more than likely a fungus is his root for infection