RED TUSH

[two early]

I have a young rooster (about 1 year old) that has a very red, inflamed area around his vent and extending up about an inch. He does not have a pasty butt, so perhaps not vent gleet, but looks like similar. He had lice and I thought the redness was do to that, but was treated for the lice over a 3 week period and has no further signs of parasites. Still the redness persists.
I tried 2 OTC athletes foot treatments which I read helped with vent gleet, fed him yogurt, soaked him in epson salt bath, used 'pic no more'. I have a topical spray for my dog called Betagen which is antibiotic spray for hotspots...any ideas if it's ok to use on the roo? Any other suggestions? Sure would appreciate the help. Thanks

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Hmm maybe did you get a different feed recently? That is the only thing left I can think of.

Certain feeds I have noted to cause more pasty butt- and smelly too!- in baby chicks so that is why I mention it. (I know he is older.)

I would try giving him some scrambled eggs as they are very high in vitamins.

Wound healing is assisted with vitamin support.

Just a thought- I don't know what is wrong with your boy.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I have a young rooster (about 1 year old) that has a very red, inflamed area around his vent and extending up about an inch. He does not have a pasty butt, so perhaps not vent gleet, but looks like similar. He had lice and I thought the redness was do to that, but was treated for the lice over a 3 week period and has no further signs of parasites. Still the redness persists.
I tried 2 OTC athletes foot treatments which I read helped with vent gleet, fed him yogurt, soaked him in epson salt bath, used 'pic no more'. I have a topical spray for my dog called Betagen which is antibiotic spray for hotspots...any ideas if it's ok to use on the roo? Any other suggestions? Sure would appreciate the help. Thanks

It sounds like he's got some kind of prolapse going on... I would separate him immediately or risk him being pecked and harassed by the other birds.

It'd be a good idea to isolate him in a crate somewhere warm and dark. If you have Preparation H, smooth a little of that on there after washing his vent with some warm, soapy water to clear any bacteria. You could use antibiotic oint ***without painkiller*** or honey, if you wanna go the natural route. Mixing turmeric (a yellow spice available a the grocery store) with a boiled egg can help reduce inflammation from the inside.

Does he have an odor? Is anything oozing?

I'd hold off on the Betagen. He just needs to be isolated and given a little treatment, I think.

MrsB

 

[two early]

Thanks so much for the replies. He is definitely the ruler of the roost, none of the hens would dare challenge him. No oozing or smell. He is not sickly at all. I am thinking the Betagen is not such a good idea cuz it is a topical antibiotic and then I'd have to throw all the eggs out for a time. I like the idea of Prep H or I was thinking of Bag Balm. (Can't use honey, too many ants in the area. They might think him a treat!) I don't think it is prolapse since there is nothing protruding from the vent, it looks normal besides being very red. The redness goes up about an inch towards his 'belly'. I'll add some 'rooster booster' to the water and give it a few days. anyone use bag balm on chickens?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have used Bag Balm for scaly leg mites.

 

[two early]

was it effective?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

was it effective?

Not as good as dipping the legs in mineral oil every day to every other day. I switched back to that after trying the Bag Balm for a week out of the two week treatment.

I hope your rooster feels better soon!

 

[MrsBrooke]

Thanks so much for the replies. He is definitely the ruler of the roost, none of the hens would dare challenge him. No oozing or smell. He is not sickly at all. I am thinking the Betagen is not such a good idea cuz it is a topical antibiotic and then I'd have to throw all the eggs out for a time. I like the idea of Prep H or I was thinking of Bag Balm. (Can't use honey, too many ants in the area. They might think him a treat!) I don't think it is prolapse since there is nothing protruding from the vent, it looks normal besides being very red. The redness goes up about an inch towards his 'belly'. I'll add some 'rooster booster' to the water and give it a few days. anyone use bag balm on chickens?

Please post a picture of his vent area when you can.

I just looked up Betagen. It requires a prescription and contains antibiotic and a steroid for inflammation... Unknown if it contains an anesthetic. I wouldn't use it on my chickens, but you may do so at your own risk.

Like I said... If he's got red, exposed tissue, he needs to be brought inside or separate from the flock. I know he's the king of the roost, but if he starts getting pecked, it's downhill from there... Chickens can peck enough that they disembowel each other, which can be fatal if untreated. It will get worse over time.


^ An example. It's painful and requires the chicken be removed from the flock.

If you have NO way to bring him in, treat with Prep H and antibiotic cream ***without painkiller***. Numbing agents can be lethal to birds, even in small doses.

I would then cover all exposed areas with iodine. That will color him purple/brown and hide any exposed red places...

Keep us updated.

MrsB

 

[two early]

Thank you again. The pic you posted does not look like what he has going on; the redness is like that but there is no feather loss and it is not swollen. The redness extends more up his body (about one inch). I will try to post a pic soon. Need someone to hold him. After talking with a knowledgeable person at the local feed store, she said try the bag balm for a few days, then if it does not look like it is healing somewhat, try the prep H. I can't separate him at night, but I can during the day, by closing a portion of the pen. The redness is not exposed because of all the feathers underneath him, so I doubt the hens are even aware that there is anything wrong. If they don't see the redness, would they attack anyway? As I said he is not sick at all, still doing all the rooster antics. I really appreciate your responses, thank you so much.

 

[dawg53]

If the bag balm and/or prep H doesnt work, purchase Nu-Stock at the feed store and apply it as necessary to the red areas until healed or cleared up.