Feather Cyst or Cancerous Tumor

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i found one of my Porcelain D'Uccles, Penelope, in her pen just standing and staring. Brought her inside, looked her all over, but couldn't find anything. i was putting her outside with her friends, then back inside at night. Then noticed her friends were picking on her, so decided to keep her inside all day. i was on the verge of taking her to the vet, when i discovered some blood on her side and on her beak. Pulled her out to find the top of her left leg was enlarged. It looked to me like a tumor that had broken open - could be because she was pecking at it. Had not noticed it before since her legs are so heavily feathered.

So, took her to the vet. She said it could be a feather cyst. We could treat with antibiotics, pain meds, and see if it improves in a week. Other option is surgery to remove it, and send a sample out for cytology. That isn't going to be cheap. i've never encountered a feather cyst. Would it make the whole leg swell up? i'm going to rewrap the bandage later today or tomorrow, and can post a picture of the wound. In the meantime, here is a picture of Penelope, standing and staring. She looks like she doesn't feel good at all.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i went to change her dressing and took some pictures. It's dried up and actually looks better than it did. Although she continues to act like she is in pain. Anyhow, here are the pictures. The wound is at the top outside part of her left leg. i'm taking her back to the doctor on Monday to see what she thinks. If anyone has an opinion or has seen something like this before, i would love to hear it.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Penelope died early this morning.

 

[7hensandaroo]

I'm sorry for your loss.
Were you able to confirm what it was?

 

[MelissaTXRn]

So sorry

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Thank you. No, but i plan on taking her into my vet tomorrow for private cremation. i'm going to ask if she could do a brief necropsy. She's done that for me before at no charge. i suspect she had cancer. She was thin, not eating much. Just stood and stared, looking like she didn't feel good. i will post when i get some answers. Perhaps this thread can help someone else. Although, when it's cancer, there just isn't much you can do for the poor things except try to minimize their suffering.