Ingrown feather/cyst near oil gland

[quackerboysinPA]

Hi,

My 8 year old Pekin has had an issue with what we assume is a feather cyst this time each year. Last 2 years we didn't even notice it until we saw blood and it had burst and took him to the vet -- the vet pulled out all kinds of clumped little feathers and cheesy white stuff and all kinds of gunk from this "hole."

Well this year we noticed the ingrown feathers before anything "burst." I cleanly pulled a few obviously ingrown feathers out and noticed some of the tiny feather "holes" left connected -- so if I pulled a feather or clump of keratin through one hole, it was pulled through another. Even though I only pulled out maybe 6 tiny obviously ingrown feathers that had nasty yellow plugs on the end, he's looking pretty bald on his rump.

Is the big protrusion his oil gland? that seems to have tiny feathers poking through it. The skin otherwise looks pretty healthy and my duck didn't mind me pulling the ingrown feathers/yellow plugs out of the tiny holes - he seemed relieved.

Going to the vet tomorrow but just wondering if good feathers will regrow properly again in this area. Worried he will have a permanent bald spot!

Thanks!

 

[Speceider]

Yes, that's the uropygial gland.

Clint