Reoccurring Ear Infection

[HappyClucker7]

My frizzle cochin bantam rooster has been having an issue with ear infections throughout the winter. This is the third time now that his ears have become infected since December.
I've been effectively treating the him by flushing his ears with Hydrogen Peroxide, and then packing them with Neosporin ointment. But his ears just keep getting infected again.
It seems like every time it's cold and windy, his ears get infected. I'm guessing that, because he's a frizzle, the feathers covering his ears don't lay flat enough to protect them.
The problem is, he can't just keep getting infections throughout the winter. I need to find some way to protect him. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sounds like you've never resolved the reason for infection. Could be Ear Canker.
You may find info helpful. https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you see a vet for help? If he has a gram negative bacterial infection as in the article, he might benefit from a pn antibiotic such as SMZ-TMP which treats those. Your vet would be the best to chose the right one, since they may be able to take a culture.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Sounds like you've never resolved the reason for infection. Could be Ear Canker.
You may find info helpful. https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker

Thank you for that link, it was very interesting. I think it is possible that it could be ear canker.
Now, how do I figure out which of those bacteria is causing the issue, and how can I treat it? I'm thinking the first one, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, is likely, as there was a lot of standing water in the garden when the infections first started. But how can I be sure? Or should I just start treating for that and see if he improves?

 

[HappyClucker7]

Can you see a vet for help? If he has a gram negative bacterial infection as in the article, he might benefit from a pn antibiotic such as SMZ-TMP which treats those. Your vet would be the best to chose the right one, since they may be able to take a culture.

No, unfortunatley I can't take him to a vet, as there aren't any around here that see birds. Could I choose an antibiotic myself?

 

[Eggcessive]

No, unfortunatley I can't take him to a vet, as there aren't any around here that see birds. Could I choose an antibiotic myself?

Dosage of this product for a chicken is 1/2 tablet given twice a day:
https://www.medi-vet.com/Bird-Sulfa-Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim-480mg-p/19328.htm

You also might use sulfadimethoxine.
https://jedds.com/products/medicox-medpet

 

[HappyClucker7]

Dosage of this product for a chicken is 1/2 tablet given twice a day:
https://www.medi-vet.com/Bird-Sulfa-Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim-480mg-p/19328.htm

You also might use sulfadimethoxine.
https://jedds.com/products/medicox-medpet

Thank you very much! I'll get some right away.
Do I give the tablets orally? Also, do I give less, since he's a bantam, or does the dosage stay the same?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would give half of the dosage for a bantam, and give it orally into the back of his throat or in a small amount of food (scrambled egg, cream cheese ball, canned cat food.) If using the second medicine, it goes in the water, and the amount is the same for all sizes.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would give half of the dosage for a bantam, and give it orally into the back of his throat or in a small amount of food (scrambled egg, cream cheese ball, canned cat food.) If using the second medicine, it goes in the water, and the amount is the same for all sizes.

This is a big help. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

After doing some reading, I think that I would get enrofloxacin instead. It seems that pseudomonas is better treated with enrofloxacin or a cephalosproin. Here is where to find10% enrofloxacin:
https://jedds.com/products/enrofloxacin-10
Dosage is 0.05 ml per pound of weight 2 times daily for 5-6 days, so getting a 1 ml syringe from your local pharmacy would be helpful. Most will give one for no cost.