Lump Near Eye - Advice Needed

[tarahharlin]

Are these lumps soft or unyielding and hard?

Being only on one side of the body reminds me of the shingles I endure from time to time. It's caused by the herpes virus and only appears on one side. Herpes viruses can also affect chickens. I'm inclined to think there's a better than even chance that's what this is.

Whether or not it's going to have a detrimental effect on her general health remains to be seen. In any even, there is likely no treatment for it. As long as she's behaving normally, I would try not to worry, but do keep an eye on this for secondary health issues possibly arising from it.

The lumps in her wattles are hardish and feel like cysts. She had them this past November and they did eventually go away, though I could still feel a very small pin head sized cyst in there that never disappeared. The lump by her eye is in between, especially when it's this swollen. There is some give, but also a firmness underneath. Previously, when this swelling went down, it felt soft and I couldn't feel any hard cysts, or lumps underneath. Such an interesting thing. I'm hoping all this swelling will eventually go down again.

That's a very interesting point about shingles/herpes virus. Are all herpes viruses that chickens can get Marek's related, or are there others?

Is there anything I should be giving her, like vitamins, etc... to help keep her immune system strong?

 

[azygous]

Just as herpes viruses can manifest as chicken pox, shingles, genital warts, and cold sores, herpes viruses can manifest as different diseases in chickens. One is Infectious Laryngotracheitis, a respiratory disease, and of course Marek's.

There's a papilloma virus that causes warty bumps on some bird species, but I can't find where it affects poultry. Just because Mr Google doesn't mention it, doesn't mean it can't happen. These warty growths can come and go. The bad news is they can also affect internal organs.

The avian leucosis virus my flock has can produce benign tumors on the face and wattles. My oldest hen Lady Di has such a tumor over her eye. While it's robbed her of her sight in that eye, it hasn't affected her life style in the least. She still holds her number one spot in the flock at age eleven and seven months. She's lived with the tumor over half her life. I attribute her robust health to fermented feed and frequent hugs and cuddling.

 

[Eggcessive]

A herpes virus is just a class of viruses. For instance, human chicken pox is a herpes virus, as well as shingles. Cold sores are also herpes viruses. In chickens, Mareks is a common one and ILT, a respiratory disease, is also a herpes virus. There are other classes of viruses, such as adenoviruses, and the now famous, coronaviruses.

A good balanced chicken feed and twice a week probiotics (if your feed doesn’t already contain them) would be good.

 

[tarahharlin]

Just as herpes viruses can manifest as chicken pox, shingles, genital warts, and cold sores, herpes viruses can manifest as different diseases in chickens. One is Infectious Laryngotracheitis, a respiratory disease, and of course Marek's.

There's a papilloma virus that causes warty bumps on some bird species, but I can't find where it affects poultry. Just because Mr Google doesn't mention it, doesn't mean it can't happen. These warty growths can come and go. The bad news is they can also affect internal organs.

The avian leucosis virus my flock has can produce benign tumors on the face and wattles. My oldest hen Lady Di has such a tumor over her eye. While it's robbed her of her sight in that eye, it hasn't affected her life style in the least. She still holds her number one spot in the flock at age eleven and seven months. She's lived with the tumor over half her life. I attribute her robust health to fermented feed and frequent hugs and cuddling.

Your Lady Di is amazing! Gosh, I hope my girl's lump is something that is benign and nothing that won't stop her from living a normal life.

Aww, we're all about hugs and cuddles!

 

[tarahharlin]

A herpes virus is just a class of viruses. For instance, human chicken pox is a herpes virus, as well as shingles. Cold sores are also herpes viruses. In chickens, Mareks is a common one and ILT, a respiratory disease, is also a herpes virus. There are other classes of viruses, such as adenoviruses, and the now famous, coronaviruses.

A good balanced chicken feed and twice a week probiotics (if your feed doesn’t already contain them) would be good.

Makes sense. I do give them probiotics a few times a week, so I'll keep that up. Thanks!

 

[tarahharlin]

This morning I noticed more swelling starting on top of her eye and below. My poor girl! I actually tried getting her into the vet today, but they are booked. They recommended an emergency clinic, which I just can’t justify doing as much as I’d love to. This makes me feel so helpless.

 

[azygous]

The facial tissue swelling points to a respiratory infection. Is there any fluid leaking from her beak holes?

Look at this and see if you think it could be a possibility.https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/poultry-diseases-infectious-coryza

 

[tarahharlin]

The facial tissue swelling points to a respiratory infection. Is there any fluid leaking from her beak holes?

Look at this and see if you think it could be a possibility.https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/poultry-diseases-infectious-coryza

She has the facial swelling and the swollen wattle, but there's no drainage from her beak, or eyes. Everything looks and sounds perfectly clear. I did notice some more slight swelling right at the base where her leg/foot meet. She still has the spot on her toe too and that leg feels slightly warm. It's interesting how this is all on one side of her body.

 

[tarahharlin]

Here’s the slightly swollen spot on her left foot that appeared this morning.

 

[azygous]

The leg swelling could indicate the synovae version of a respiratory disease. It wouldn't hurt to try an antibiotic.