Hen with lump on face? Non emergency.

[Sandwitch]

Beetlejuice is a black Australorp a little over a year old I believe she has had a bump on her face for several months now (since like April I believe). Sometimes it gets bigger sometimes it shrinks. If I remember correctly it feels hard she has no symptoms of any illness. I kinda figured I'd post this just to see if anyone had any idea what was going on with it but for the most part we've just been waiting and seeing. Doesn't seem to bother her at all. Last photo isn't great but it is from today.

 

[Anon112]

I wonder if she might get some periodic sinus congestion? I had a hen with a swollen eye, and the vet said that when something obstructs the sinus, they can get swelling in different parts of their face. You might try doing a saline flush of the eye (which is the best way to access that sinus complex, according to my vet) once or twice a day and see if it makes any difference. The nice thing about a saline rinse is that there's no side-effect/harm, at worst you have an annoyed, slightly wet hen.

 

[Debbie292d]

I agree with doing a saline rinse, and then I'd put some Terramycin or triple antibiotic ointment (without painkiller) in her eye, a couple of times a day. I'd try this for a few days and see if you see any improvement.

 

[Anon112]

I agree with doing a saline rinse, and then I'd put some Terramycin or triple antibiotic ointment in her eye, a couple of times a day. I'd try this for a few days and see if you see any improvement.

And as I learned semi-recently (and thus always must mention): You have to make sure that the antibiotic ointment does NOT have any pain relieving/-caine ingredients.

 

[Debbie292d]

And as I learned semi-recently (and thus always must mention): You have to make sure that the antibiotic ointment does NOT have any pain relieving/-caine ingredients.

Yes, I usually put that behind it when I say triple-antibiotic ointment, but was remiss this time. Thanks for pointing that out! I edited my reply.

 

[Anon112]

Yes, I usually put that behind it when I say triple-antibiotic ointment, but was remiss this time. Thanks for pointing that out! I edited my reply.

Something that never fails to surprise me are the things apparently everyone knows about common chicken treatments.

I only just learned that Permetherin is toxic to cats! And here I had a canister of it just sitting on a shelf in my house!

 

[Debbie292d]

Something that never fails to surprise me are the things apparently everyone knows about common chicken treatments.

I only just learned that Permetherin is toxic to cats! And here I had a canister of it just sitting on a shelf in my house!

I've heard that but think they either have to breath it or have an open sore on the pad of their foot to get that in their bloodstream. I wouldn't take the chance though and would just lock them out of the coop for the day.

 

[Sandwitch]

I'll go ahead and get some vetricyn poultry spray stuff from TSC. Apparently that is safe for eyes. Unless you guys have any other suggestions of products especially ones I can get at tractor supply lol. I worry a bit extra about putting ointment stuff in her eyes since I'm not always sure it's safe for eyes. But we can definitely start with the poultry spray stuff to rinse out the eye plus it does have antibacterial properties. Should we just spray the eye on the side of the bump or both? I'm pretty sure we will only be able to spray her eye once a day since they do free-range and I figure night would be a better time to attempt to catch her and have a wet grumpy hen lol.