Quail ear canal is impacted with dry wax

[maycwindu]

One ear canal on my Coturnix hen is impacted with wax. Her eyes are watery and she nods off a lot, but otherwise will eat and drink. Is it safe to irrigate her ear canal? What's the best way to clean it?

 

[Nabiki]

Can you post pics? She sounds like she's sick. Are any of your other birds showing symptoms? I would start by isolating her from the rest just in case.

A gentle saline wash shouldn't hurt, but pics would still be good.

 

[pac]

Dang. I don't think I'd even notice such a thing.
Ear wax? What are the signs? Is this common?

 

[maycwindu]

Can you post pics? She sounds like she's sick. Are any of your other birds showing symptoms? I would start by isolating her from the rest just in case.

A gentle saline wash shouldn't hurt, but pics would still be good.

Note the enlarged ear canal and watery eyes. The other side is totally normal. Maybe the material in there is foreign and not wax, or she got something in there and produced wax to deal with it. She's not a happy camper

 

[catesquire]

I would second the saline wash, hopefully it will loosen things up enough for her own body to deal with it, whatever it is. Hope she recovers soon!

 

[pac]

Yuk. That is pretty noticeable.

 

[Nabiki]

View attachment 4154403View attachment 4154404
Note the enlarged ear canal and watery eyes. The other side is totally normal. Maybe the material in there is foreign and not wax, or she got something in there and produced wax to deal with it. She's not a happy camper

I think she got pecked or got something in there rather than ear wax buildup. Start with the saline rinse. It won't hurt to include her eye in that wash.

 

[maycwindu]

I did multiple saline rinses but couldn't remove the debris. I left my forceps at work, but by the time I could retrieve them her condition rapidly declined and I had to cull her. She was a good bird and a had a life well lived. Please use my experience as a reminder to keep an emergency vet kit handy and to pull birds from the flock at the slightest hint something is off. Those few extra days could make a difference.

 

[Nabiki]

I did multiple saline rinses but couldn't remove the debris. I left my forceps at work, but by the time I could retrieve them her condition rapidly declined and I had to cull her. She was a good bird and a had a life well lived. Please use my experience as a reminder to keep an emergency vet kit handy and to pull birds from the flock at the slightest hint something is off. Those few extra days could make a difference.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Keeping an all purpose first aid kit around is a very good idea.