Lump under chick's beak

[LynneBR]

She's acting very lethargic, breathing heavy, eyes closed most of the time. There is a large lump below her beak on the left side only. Today is the first day that she's acted any different... seems to have gone downhill quickly (one day). She's a bantam, just over 4 months old. Any suggestions, ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she eating or drinking? Can you look inside her beak with a flashlight while someone holds her, and check for any yellow or grey material? Does the lump feel hard or soft? Do you see any other symptoms, such as bubbles in an eye?

 

[LynneBR]

thanks for responding. I don't see anything odd in her mouth, grey or yellow. Tongue looks normal. Lump is hard. I have her isolated from the others in a box in the house. She's not trying to get out. Not eating or drinking, as far as i can tell anyway.

 

[Eggcessive]

I wonder if it could be a tumor. There are several types of cancers in chickens, a few caused by viruses, as well as other types. Have you noticed it growing or having been there long? Is there any sign of a scab or bite mark on the lump, that could have caused an abscess?

 

[LynneBR]

She slept all night and was perky in the morning, ate a little bit, then went back to sleep. Did this twice so far. A tiny tiny hole is now visible in the lump, which went down very slightly overnight. Could be a wasp sting? Crop is normal. Never noticed a lump or lethargic behavior until yesterday.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be a sting or it might be an abscess. Is it draining? Stings from bees or wasps sometime cause swelling. Hoepfully, it was just a sting, and it may improve in a day or two.

 

[LynneBR]

Thank you all for your replies. She's looking perkier today. I think it could have been a wasp sting... there's a tiny prick of a hole in the center. One got me on the hand last week, and it hurt like a son-of-a-gun for days.