Help! My girl has a tumor or abscess!!

[1 happy chick]

My 2 year old ISA Brown has been droopy. I separated her on Wed evening so she is alone and comfortable. She is mostly standing with her eyes closed, her comb is a lighter color and drooping and she looks bad out of her eyes. She also has watery poop. I can tell she's not feeling well. She is still eating and drinking some. I added Save-a-chick to her water yesterday. I downloaded a copy of Chicken Health for Dummies last night. Upon easily examining her, I discovered a large bump on her breast. There is not an obvious injury to the area. The feathers are gone there and it is very red and swollen. The only exotic vet near me has already closed for the day and probably the weekend! Does anyone have any ideas on how I can help her? Of course, she is one of my favorites!!

 

[GitaBooks]

Sorry it took so long to respond.

Where is the lump? Is it on the right or the left? The crop can get really full and appear to be a tumor. However, she is probably sick with something. It could be sour-crop, a blockage of the crop, mites, lice, worms, or some other problem.
Could you post a picture?

I hope she gets better soon. Best of luck!

 

[1 happy chick]

Thank you for responding! The lump is on the right side of her breast. She seems to be acting some better. I took a few pix but they don't show very well how big it actually is. I am in a hurry this morning but can try to take better pix this evening if


need be. Hope they help some.

 

[GitaBooks]

Could she be rubbing it on her perch? Sometimes birds can rub a sore on their chest while resting, especially if they are heavy.

 

[1 happy chick]

No, I'm sure it wasn't from rubbing it against anything. She was never heavy but is much thinner now.

She is acting much better. The lump seems to be getting smaller but she is still not eating very much feed. I am still putting Save-A-Chick in her water.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is the lump firm or soft, smooth or irregular in shape? Is it over the bony keel or breatbone? Chickens can develop tumors especially with Mareks disease or avian leukosis, but they are pretty common period. Cysts or abscesses are common over the breastbones from lying down especially in damp conditions or on a scratchy surface.

 

[1 happy chick]

The lump is softer today than a few days ago & she hasn't been eating much feed. I am really starting to wonder if she has a clogged crop. The lump is squishy. It is higher than her bony keel.