Growth in chicken's mouth

[TiffandJohnchix]

Update: Goldie is home and seems to be doing fine. The vet did see flaggalate (sp?) on the slide, which means protozoan were present, which means canker. She took pictures during the surgery and is going to send them to me, so I will post. I think they might be helpful to others in the same situation. Goldie's canker was wrapped all around her trachea and had pushed her esophagus upwards...it was basically a huge mess. The vet said that even treated with Metronidazole, she doubts the mass would have retreated well or fast enough, especially since food was not able to get past it and probably not much water. Sooooo....course of action going forward is antibiotic, as well as metronidazole, and then follow-up in a week. Now...time to watch the other 6 girls to make sure they don't show up with it.
I wish I knew where the canker came from. Now I'm wondering if there are any coop conditions I need to reevaluate? I've had these girls for 2 1/2 years; the are completely protected from predators from all sides; able to retreat to their house that has pine shavings on the floor; they have a big (maybe 20x8) run with a dirt floor; food is under cover, water is not under cover and comes from a plastic waterer.
Thanks for all the help and tips!
I'll post pics from the doc when I get them.
Tiff

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Hopefully none of the others end up with it. Glad she is home and doing well.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Happy that she's doing better!

 

[TiffandJohnchix]

Here she is in mid operation. The tube in her trachea is obviously so she can breath. You can get a pretty good idea of how extensive the growth was.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks for sharing... How is she today?

-Kathy

 

[dawg53]

I wish I knew where the canker came from. Now I'm wondering if there are any coop conditions I need to reevaluate?

Perhaps increasing metronidazole dosage to 500mg a day will clear it up quicker, check with your vet first.
http://www.ultimatefowl.com/wiki/index.php?title=Canker
The link has info on how it's introduced to chickens.
I'm glad Goldie is improving.

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Thanks for the photo. Hoping she is still doing well.

 

[TiffandJohnchix]

Thanks for all the help and concern, y'all! Goldie seems to be doing great today! Eating, drinking...all normal. Gave all 7 girls an "oral exam" and everybody looks clear and good. Seriously can't believe we didn't notice Goldie's condition sooner. It's been a good lesson to slow down and check them each out, at least one a week...a quick eyeballing of them isn't enough as they age!
Tiff

 

[TiffandJohnchix]

...

Thanks for sharing... How is she today?

Oh I think I screwed this reply up... still a newbie at this...anyway...
Thanks, Dawg for the info. Our conditions are pretty good, but we are thinking of switching to a bubbling waterer when not treating with the ACS. I am wondering something...last week we have the girls a pumpkin and I notice the seeds were kind of gigantic. I wonder if Goldie got one of those caddy workers in her throat, causing a cut, which then in turn allowed the canker a breeding ground?

Perhaps increasing metronidazole dosage to 500mg a day will clear it up quicker, check with your vet first.
http://www.ultimatefowl.com/wiki/index.php?title=Canker
The link has info on how it's introduced to chickens.
I'm glad Goldie is improving.

 

[Beaky Buzzard]

Glad things are looking up... This is a very strange case.... =0