rooster with comb infection

[kmerritt59]

I picked up my black sex link rooster this morning and noticed some yellowish stuff on the back end of his comb. It was wet and I suspected pus so carried him in the house to get a kleenex. As I started dabbing at it, more came out. I wiped it up but know he must have an infection there. It smelled pretty bad too. He is healthy otherwise. The back end of his comb is somewhat convoluted and the pus was coming from the crevices on each side. Not sure if that is from an ongoing infection I didn't see before? What should I do to treat this? He is about 6 months old.

 

[Imp]

First off

And let me say that I am mostly guessing, and hoping others will come along with more sound advice.

Sounds like it's open so I would cover with a topical antibiotic with out pain reliever. May also need internal antibiotics, can be purchased from the feed store usually. You will need other's advice about which one and dosage. Good luck

Imp- Sorry your chicken is sick

 

[kmerritt59]

Thank you for responding, I was getting nervous no one was going to. I cannot see any open wound. There is a deep crease on each side of what would be the center line of the comb. As I said, it has never looked quite right in the back. I just thought that was the way his comb was shaped. The pus looks like it is oozing through the skin but it is possible there is a crack or opening in the crevice. I don't have any help so it is hard to figure out how to restrain him so I can use 2 hands to look deeper into the crevices. Any help with how to restrain would be appreciated also. As for antibiotics, what do I use? I have triple antibiotic (topical). I have a Tractor Supply nearby that has some meds. Someone please let me know how to treat this. He is otherwise healthy and full of himself and I don't want to lose him.

 

[silkiechicken]

Can't help with the internal antibiotics as I do not use them, but as for restraint, you can wrap him up in a towl around his wings and have his legs stick out the back, kind of in the shape of a rubber chicken, and he won't be able to go anywhere.

Key thing to do though, is to get all the puss out and flush it clear with saline before packing it with antibiotics. If you discover it is really bad and has caused necrosis, you may want to search "dubbing" as a last resort.

 

[Imp]

What silkiechicken said...

and keeping it dim may help keep him calmer.

Clean it well then use the triple antibiotic on it. (Do not use the triple antibiotic if it has pain reliver in it- supposed to be toxic to birds.)

I know nothing about the antibiotics. I'll try doing a search and linking up up.
If I find the info I'll add it to this post.

Imp

Sounds like topical is the way to go with combs. Good luck

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=147261&p=2

 

[kmerritt59]

Thank you! I will work on this in the early morning. Thanks also for mentioning about the pain reliever. I have TA both with and without and wouldn't have given is a thought....

 

[ivan3]

Can you keep him separated from the flock? Exploration by dirty beaks will extend the process of healing, or worse. If you can't separate, mix in a few drops of betadine with the nesporin (they really don't like the taste of betadine).

Next time you do a treatment try this: Two pans of water, one cold, one hot (betadine squirted in both). Fold up a couple of old wash cloths and put them in pans. As the comb is highly vascularized alternating the warm with cold soaks by using the wash cloths folded over comb should draw out more `gunk' (if this is the result of an infection of some sort).

 

[kmerritt59]

Thank you! I am learning quickly what type of antiseptic/antibiotics are ok to use and what not to. This is the stuff I need to know.

 

[sammi]

clean wound with saline wash...available at most pharmacies and not expensive.
if you do a search..dlhunicorn and others have a recipe you can make at home with water and salt..do this while getting out as much puss as possible.
you should be wearing gloves..this could be staph infection.

then clean with diluted betadine..let dry..
you can leave as is..or use triple antibiotic ointment.
continue to check for more puss every day.
sounds like he could have an abscess..

you might need to get some penicillin or Pen-G procaine at most farm/feed stores..
otherwise, the infection can re-occur and even spread..
you'll also need syringes..smallest you can find with 22 gauge needles.
always us a fresh syringe and needle for each injection..
some people give in the meatiest part of the thigh or breast..opposite side of the crop..and angled away from the breast bone...

 

[kmerritt59]

I think this is worse than I originally thought. What I assumed was his normal comb, I am now thinking is swollen with infection (it has been like this for a long time) The back half of his comb is about 1/2 inch wide. Color is normal red and it is firm. The front half of the comb is normal - about 8mm wide. The last 1 or two fringes (I think that is what you call the comb fingers?) are tucked into the swollen part which is why I am having a problem getting it clean. It smells absolutely awful. I can't believe this bird isn't acting sick. Anyway, I cleaned as much as I could using Q tips and then packed with triple antibiotic but I think something stronger is also in order. If there is an abcess, how does it get opened? Am I looking at having to bring him to a vet (don't know who would treat chickens in my area). If I give pen., how much do you give and how often?