Hen has swollen purple wattles

[achickymama]

I've been searching and I keep coming back to frostbite or fowl cholera but I understand that's very rare. And since its summer and hasn't been below 50 degrees, frostbite is out.

She seems fine, still eating, drinking, foraging, poo looks normal, not wheezing, no discharge anywhere.

I'm freaking out over this, it's our first sick girl!

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Is it possible that she got it caught on/ in something? Bruising?? I have now idea, just a thought.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is this a powdery looking material on the wattles? If it is on the surface it might be a fungus called favus which could be treated with Lotrimin. Here is a link to pictures of favus: https://www.google.com/search?q=fav...GL8rayAHiy4HoCQ&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=655

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Another thing to check is if it will rub off. I read on here that someone thought their chicken had favus and it turned out to that the hen had got into something that rubbed right off.

 

[Eggcessive]

Another thing to check is if it will rub off. I read on here that someone thought their chicken had favus and it turned out to that the hen had got into something that rubbed right off.

This is exactly right. If it goes through to the inside it may be something else. Pictures help, but it is hard to actually see what's going on to give advice.

 

[achickymama]

No, they are huge and swollen and the purple discoloration looks like dark blood inside

 

[casportpony]

I have no idea what it might be. If she were mine I would weigh her on my kitchen scale and I wouldn't worry unless she started to lose weight or show signs of illness.

-Kathy

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Oh, I missed the swelling part. That poor baby(and you). I hope she is better soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

Fowl cholera (pasteurella) and infectious coryza are two diseases that can cause swollen wattles. Here are links to read: http://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-industry/forums/poultry-t5636/p0.htm and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[achickymama]

Yea, her all over symptoms don't fit with anything I've found because she really seems to be fine (no discharge, wheezing, nada) but when I just checked on her again, her wattles are hot feeling and are a little crusty looking on the inside area. I'm bringing her to the vet at 2pm. I'll let you all know what I find out.

Thank you for being so helpful