OMGosh - WHAT is this growth?! Warning gross graphic

[The Red Rooster]

Quote:
No, it's on her side.

I had a hen that had prolapsed - even still had the egg in the "bag" (don't know the term) outside her body! Cleaned her up, kept her isolated and warm, antibotics and then eventually after a couple weeks of being healed and no antibotics she went back in the coop. So far all's well for her. She was a tiny Antwerp Belgian with a very big egg for a girl her size!

So this is nothing like a prolapse darnit, or I'd know what to do.

Thats not good at all! I've never heared or had this happen to me. All I can do is wish you luck.

So sorry.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Well I've read just about as much as my stomach can handle... sooo many nasty looking photos & trying to figure this out!

I did find this on one forum:

"...unfortunately, as my vet informed me last year when I took in a hen with a lump at the base of her tail, chickens can suffer from upwards of 300 different types of tumors and cysts. If it is a solid mass and does not feel like fluid, it is most likely a tumor and will prove fatal eventually. I've had three hens with tumors over the years, all died shortly after the mass was discovered. The thing with tumors is, the chicken will carry on normally and not act or look ill until the thing just takes so much of their energy that they pass away. Cysts have a better outlook, they can usually be drained, but you never know if they will reoccur. "

Don't know the poster or if it's true but sounds possible... I just hate the idea of putting this girl down, and if we do and I get a good look at this thing and figure out I could have let her live I'll really have a bad night.

but on the other side...I've read on a ton of sites (like research docs) that there are many tumors caused by a virus. That's just dandy. NOT. I'm not seeing a good way out for this good layer.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Quote:
That is great to know. I had an awesome house silkie that had an eye infection that would not go away. Her eye duct would get filled with just what you described. I assumed it was a type of infection. One day when I was trying to gently clean it (for the millionth time and yes she'd been on antibotics), she just closed her eyes and was gone. Not a tremor, squeak, nothing. There one second, gone the next. I even tried to resusitate her.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

I also found this link that is helpful for anyone trying to determine cyst vs tumor:

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-diseases/bird-diseases-tumor.aspx

It also doesn't mean good news for my little hen.

Edited to add this great link: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:bvcvmiKZGbEJoultry.msstate.edu/extension/pdf/diseases_poultry_diagnosis_symptoms.pdf+external+tumor+on+chicken&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjeHqtDbRzPd5uE8LjOzWUkmLKA9V9KTL4LGNik4mUO5d5uDFPbYhJ2IMJjHrWf0qtCSw_kHOsH00qrW5Q8OP4T-75lPnRLwAbqgrKQqExzthJTaIHHsDSLXEgaiGL_X9dgNR-u&sig=AHIEtbS9deSj2Ku-vf7feWq9MBrAjBm3qw

(gosh that was long, hope it works!). The title of the doc is "Poultry Disease Diagnosis Based on Symptoms" by Mississippi State University.

 

[nurse_turtle]

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm075948

I'm only familiar with human nursing and can apply what I've seen in human's to what is seen in other animals....sometimes.
The growth reminded me of a keratonic horny growth. Good luck with your bird. If she seems happy and healthy, I'd leave her be.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Quote:
That could possibly be it - thank you! I did just now go check on her. The pink protruding part appeared swollen and I gently pinched it. It did not bother the hen so at least that part is not painful, but it did shoot out blood. She does react if I move the entire piece, which makes sense as it's attached to skin and that would hurt.

She is happy/healthy otherwise. Is this cancer, or will be? Would you eat her eggs? and last, can it spread (to other chickens)?

I thank you so much for maybe solving this mystery! I could give her some time to scab over and then put her back in the coop as it is well hidden and wouldn't be pecked at. My main concern is my questions above.

Thanks again!

I just googled some, hers is soft tissue - not hard. Same thing still? Thanks again, you've given me some hope!

[Edited for typos]

 

[nurse_turtle]

I would let it scab over and release her back with her flock. You can put cornstarch on the bleeding area and it will help stop it. Corn starch is a proper substitute for styptic powder. It may be cancerous, maybe not. Either way, it's not contagious. Just watch her like you would your other birds. If she starts looking sickly, I would consider culling her. If she's still laying eggs, that's a really good sign of her health.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Quote:
Sorry, one last question? Would you eat her eggs? I usually have extras that I sell so I need them to be safe.

That's great info on the cornstarch, thank you! In all my years with animals (I rescue horses and sometimes dogs) I've not come across this tip. Yeah!

 

[Terri O]

The cornstarch works OK but if you have something that is really bleeding stypic powder is still your best bet. I had a wuail the other night that lost a toe and the cornstarch would not stop the bleeding. I dug up my ancient blood stop powder and it did the trick! Terri O

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

I would probably still eat her eggs. I mean, a skin issue and the reproductive tract are totally different things. And like several have said, if she doesn't seem to be sick or suffering, I would let her live. I don't think it would be contagious, but I am not an expert...