Huge, bloody mass under wing. Please help! Going out of town tonight!

[theacw]

Haven't touched the lump for awhile but I did run out and get pro-pen-g (pen and procaine) and read somewhere on here the correct dosage. Gave her .02 CC of it just under her skin on the upper back. Tried to do breast but my hands were shaking way too much. She has pooped and that looks ok and she is eating well too.

Anyone have any advice what to do with the lump? I don't wanna go digging into it if its a tumor, right?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that I was off for awhile. Amoxicillin dosage is 125 mg per Kg (each 2.2 lb weight) every 12 hours. Procaine Pen dosage is 1/10-1/4 ml depending on whose advice you follow, so your good with your dose. Give this once daily for 4 days. If you use the amoxicillin, give it for 7 days. I've never used the sugar/betadine paste, but I don't think there is a way you can use too much of either one if you make a paste. If it is a tumor, you may have to decide what you plan to do if she is uncomfortable or in pain. I know it's too much of a shock right now though. I would not go digging into it any further since it may cause a hemorrhage.

 

[theacw]

Thats ok, I really appreciate your help. Thank you!

My head was spinning so much earlier, I did goof up the dosage getting .2 and .02 mixed up even though I triple checked, I just am not thinking right. So she got maybe 1/4-1/3 CC but some did spill out when I put it in her. What is done, is done… I am trying not to worry about it too much.

Can I ask your advice on what to do in the meantime? I will continue injections and not touch the wound, except to maybe clean it/soak it. She is in good spirits, eating and drinking and pooping. Her mass is under her wing so it is sort of protected by her wing, should I let her free range a little bit since she seems completely normal besides? I have her covered in a box now but would like to let her out if I can.

The thing that is stressing me out the most is if I lose her, I only have 1 hen left. I cannot leave her by herself and there are no ads on craigslist for hens! I don't know how I would find her a friend without craigslist or word of mouth. I think that is what is eating at me the most…

 

[Eggcessive]

There may be a Minnesota thread where you could locate a hen. There is a lady on BYC named Lalaland who has many chickens, and could possibly help you out. I have not idea where in MN that she lives, but she is nice and you could send her a PM. Some people even give 1/2 ml of penicillin, so don't sweat it. I think she could probably free range a bit. There is a product called BluKote that is an antiseptic dark blue spray, and can be used to disguise the wound so that she isn't pecked by her flock mate. Good luck and I'll check back later.

 

[theacw]

Ok thanks again.

I went back through old emails and found an email from the gal I got Connie from and she WAS vaccinated for mareks if that narrows it down to something.


I added blukote and put her with her flock mate and she (herself) pecked at the sore and then my other one came over and looked and tried to peck too. I don't know if she was wondering what the sick one was pecking at or if she saw wet feathers/blukote and was curious. Or if she simply knows what is going on and remembers there was blood there before.

Anyways, I am really at loss whether to go back tonight or if I should stick around with her the next day or so.

Given the size of almost a golfball but yet still upbeat and acting ok…… Do you have any sort of ball park estimate on how much longer she'll be around?

How sure are you that it is a tumor over an abscess? 50/50 or 99% sure its a tumor? Sorry I am not trying to get a definite answer from you just trying to get an idea on what I am dealing with, what to expect, and obviously if you think its a tumor… I might as well head back to work tomorrow and wait it out rather then stick around a try to clean up the abscess.

Thanks!



-Also, I am now thinking about bringing her to a vet where I work, in the city in the morning. Would you find it worth it? For them to tell me what it is, and possibly clean it out? Give her some antibiotics? Possibly put her down?

 

[Eggcessive]

I'll be honest with you that I have never had very much experience with sick chickens--I just read a lot. My chickens have been pretty healthy fortunately. Others who have had experience with Mareks might know how long she might last (if it's a tumor) but I do have quite a bit of experience with abscesses from people to my dogs and cats who have been bitten by feral cats or raccoons, and an abscess generally puffs up like a cream puff, and then leaks tan foul-smelling thick liquid when it is pieced (sorry to be so graphic.) I would take her with me when you go back to work, and check with the vet. If it's tumor, I would put her down so that she doesn't suffer. If they think it's not, then go from there. Sorry if I can't be of more help.

 

[theacw]

I'll be honest with you that I have never had very much experience with sick chickens--I just read a lot. My chickens have been pretty healthy fortunately. Others who have had experience with Mareks might know how long she might last (if it's a tumor) but I do have quite a bit of experience with abscesses from people to my dogs and cats who have been bitten by feral cats or raccoons, and an abscess generally puffs up like a cream puff, and then leaks tan foul-smelling thick liquid when it is pieced (sorry to be so graphic.) I would take her with me when you go back to work, and check with the vet. If it's tumor, I would put her down so that she doesn't suffer. If they think it's not, then go from there. Sorry if I can't be of more help.

Thats ok, more experience than me! And luck too it sounds like. Sometimes I wish I didn't get into the chicken hobby because having 4 chickens in the past 2 years and losing 3 out of 4 has not been fun. Discouraging for sure.

Do you happen to know if it could be a tumor caused from mareks even though she was vaccinated? I know its more a preventive vaccine and not a guarantee.

I have had lots of abscesses with cats and working in the medical field so I was expected it to come out when I worked with it. But I didn't know how deep or what to try since chicken pus is more "solid" or whatever.

 

[Sjisty]

I think it would be an excellent idea to take her to your vet. That way you don't have to guess what is wrong with her.

 

[theacw]

Off to the vet 2 hours away. Oy, wish us luck!

 

[Sjisty]

You got it - GOOD LUCK!