rooster with comb infection

[sammi]

you might consider contacting Peter Brown at

http://www.firststatevet.com

for antibiotics..(they have injectable penicillin and pill form)


http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/

Pen-G procaine is available at most farm/feed stores.

 

[silkiechicken]

Now that is one deep infection alright. I agree, it looks inflamed up to about the mid point between his eye and nares. The spikes are definitely swollen. I suspect that the infection is all the way down in there and the comb deformity is the result of growing up with the infection. He probably got the infection as a young cockerel and because of it, the comb didn't grow in right, basically making a better "home" for the infection by growing around it. He's still young, and winter hasn't really started to stress out the birds, his body is likely in a balance with the infection. I would fear that any stress would allow it to spread to the blood which would be bad. An injectable antibiotic would be warranted in this case, and I'm one who rarely recommends it. His comb in the middle should largely be about the same width from front to back along the top. At this point, I personally would dub him, but that is up to you, and it is going to be tricky with the width of the comb due to the inflammation. I would not be surprised if there is a pus core in there.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I agree a systemic and dubbing is best unless you can take him to a vet, in which case suggesting it to the vet and letting him make that determination. My only concern with dubbing is keeping the infection out of the bloodstream during the process.

 

[turtleblossom]

After seeing the pics, I too agree that maybe it would be best to dubb.

 

[nnbreeder]

Dubbing would be best but after the swelling goes down. The infection looks like it has been there for some time and it may sound crazy but I would use a treatment for bumblefoot. You may have to do a search but you can make a poltice out of Betadine and sugar, sugar has antiseptic properties, that should draw out the infection. Continue with the Pen-G and it should start clearing up.

There is a member here called anothercrazychick that is really good with things like this. You might PM her a link to this thread.

 

[sammi]

please see my post on the previous page..

I also agree with Silkiechicken about the puss core..similar to Bumblefoot..

one other slight possibility is that he had a cyst that got infected..

in any case...get some Pen-G procaine or penicillin..

you can also try the sugar and betadine poultice to try and draw some of it out like Bumblefoot.

it's possible that aspirin would help with inflammation ..
1 (81 mg) tablet crushed into 1 quart of water..give by drops on beak..

JMHO..but I'd try and get some more infection out and inflammation down before considering dubbing..and also get some systemic antibiotic in him to fight infection spread.

keep him fed well with extra protein and some vitamins..

 

[kmerritt59]

Update - I have been cleaning and applying triple antibiotic ointment liberally twice a day now since Sunday. The pus is all but gone. The comb just appears to be inverted in the back. It won't pull out to a natural position. Therefore, I don't know if it is really swollen or just formed this way. There are deep crevices on each side of center where I can bury the whole head of a Qtip while cleaning it. I emailed the pictures to my vet's office and one of them forwarded them to a vet she knows that deals with poultry. I am waiting for a reply and will post it when I get it. I have not given him any Pen-g or any other med. He seems to be doing well and is acting normally.
Karen

 

[purpletree23]

The comb needs to be removed. Sorry. There is still infection inside the healed area and it's just waiting for a chance to act up again. If the outside is healed and 'hard' the infection has no where to go but in and that's too close to the brain and sinus for me. The vet (any vet) can numb him up, cut off the comb, clean it out well by flushing and cauterize any bleeding if necessary.

Any vet can do that avain or not. Heck if you were NH I'd do it for you.

 

[kmerritt59]

I am in agreement. I am waiting for my vet's to reply. I'm hoping I can get the intern (low on the totem pole) to do it. She is the one with the friend vet who deals with poultry. I just do believe that it needs to be numbed up as his comb is pretty wide - I think it may bleed more than normal and then there is the infection. Thanks for replying

 

[sammi]

there is still infection in there...that's why the comb is wide and still looks swollen..

try giving him some aspirin..1 (81mg) crushed into 1 quart of water.
it might help the swelling and inflammation..

fingers crossed for the roo.