preening gland clogged

[katrobin]

I have a hen with healing vent sleet, bumble foot and raised/clogged preening gland. All is healing after 4 weeks of effort. The vet picked and squeezed the preening gland and told us to flush with solution provided. Clogged back up again and her skin is very dry. She has lost weight and isn't really eating. What to do about preening gland and not eating. Please help, getting desperate.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Take a warm cloth and place over the preening gland. Generally this will dislodge anything. To squeeze and pick at it sounds painful. It sounds like she's going through a lot. Are you able to treat the vent gleet? How old is the hen? Is she isolated?

 

[katrobin]

We had taken her to the vet and the vet did stool sample and put her on antibiotics and med for inflammation. After 2 weeks felt it was making gleet worse so stopped all meds, had been soaking and putting anti fungal cream. Pre and probiotic in water. Vent was significantly better in 2 days. Bumble foot has healed to just light pink on both feet and not hot to touch. The vet also squeezed the preening gland and scraped brown thick out of it resulting in severe redness and some blood. (Never let that happening again!) The raised area has diminished however still dry solid brown color. Her skin is very dry, she wasn’t eating or drinking.We tried everything. I decided enough was enough after quarantine for 2 weeks. Transitioning her back into flock and she is better.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Yes, often they do worse when isolated away from the flock for an extended period. I isolate for a few days just to see if they are eating and drinking (unless contagious). Otherwise, they are isolated in a crate within the run so that they are still with their pals. I'd try the warm cloth. It's not going to hurt her. But, it could dislodge anything irritating the preening glad.

 

[katrobin]

Well, lessons learned. We’ve only had chickens for a year. Will do warm cloth and I like the suggestion to be able to keep them with flock in crate Thanks

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Well, lessons learned. We’ve only had chickens for a year. Will do warm cloth and I like the suggestion to be able to keep them with flock in crate Thanks

We all learn as we go.