Spider bite or something else?!? HELP

[PoultryGirly]

Hi. I have a hen who's ear lobe (on one side of her head) is pale and swollen. I just noticed it today, but she seems fine otherwise. Also, I found a big spider in the chicken coop this morning. Could the spider have bitten her? What do I do? Or could it be something else? By the way, a few months ago, I had a hen die of a respiratory illness (sneezing, raspy breathing). It's not the same thing, but I've heard that swelling of the face can be respiratory. (She has no mucus from eyes or nose, no sneezing, and there is regular breathing.) I'll post pictures in just a few minutes. Please help!

 

[PoultryGirly]

I also forgot to mention that on the swollen side, there is a little black spot that is scab-like. It's about as small as a gnat (or maybe smaller). That could be the bite area, right? Anyway, here are the pictures. (You can't see the little spot on the pics though.)

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/C...00015B68DD552_zps2eef3c14.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/C...00015ADA95032_zps24ab0ae0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/C...00015A8D2706E_zps03538a62.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/C...000189D77BDAD_zpsb753e6d8.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

 

[PoultryGirly]

Anyone? Please!

 

[realsis]

I couldn't make it out very well in the pictures but it could possibly be a bite.if it does not go down in after awhile I would consider a possible ear infection? If she were mine I'd keep a very close eye on her and if I did not see a reduction in the swelling I'd consider treating for a ear infection. If you like in the mean time you can try her on a general anti infective antibiotic like LA200 and see if it helps her swelling. Dose would be for a large bird 1/2 cc small bird 1/4 cc given once daily into the breast muscle for 5 to 7 days. You can see if this helps the swelling. I hope this helps. Its what I'd likely do if she were mine. I wish you the best. God bless

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thank you so much. I don't have that medicine on hand, so I'll wait and see what happens tomorrow.

 

[Haunted55]

Hi. I have a hen who's ear lobe (on one side of her head) is pale and swollen. I just noticed it today, but she seems fine otherwise. Also, I found a big spider in the chicken coop this morning. Could the spider have bitten her? What do I do? Or could it be something else? By the way, a few months ago, I had a hen die of a respiratory illness (sneezing, raspy breathing). It's not the same thing, but I've heard that swelling of the face can be respiratory. (She has no mucus from eyes or nose, no sneezing, and there is regular breathing.) I'll post pictures in just a few minutes. Please help!

Was the hen that died with this bird as well? Sounds like IB from the sneezing and raspy breathing, but to be honest, they can all start out with the same symptoms and then more show later.

Does the lump feel warm? Is she showing any respiratory distress? Coughing, sneezing? If she's eating and drinking, not showing symptoms of anything else, it very well could have been a spider bite. Look closely at it, if it's a spider bite there will be 2 small holes. With the swelling it may be hard to see them. I would take a pinch of baking soda and mix with a bit of water to make a paste and apply that to it. Or if you have a mud face mask, the kind that dries and has to be washed off, you could use a bit of that. Either will draw as it dries and pull the poisons out. You don't need a lot, just enough to cover it and dry. Don't use anything like Blu-Kote on it. You want to be able to watch and see what this does. Do you know what kind of a spider it was? If after the mask or baking soda your bird is scratching this, you can use a bit of ammonia on the 'bite' spot. It also will help neutralize the itching so she doesn't infect it by scratching.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thank you so much! Yes, the hen that died was with this bird. This bird isn't showing any respiratory issues (yet) and she's eating and drinking just fine. I didn't check it real closely (didn't touch it) but I noticed at least one small hole. I'll check it out tomorrow.

 

[PoultryGirly]

I checked on the hen this morning and the swelling seems to be going down! It's still pale on the ear, but looks better than yesterday

 

[PoultryGirly]

Well some of the paleness has gone away (that was on part of her face), but it's still on the ear area.

 

[Haunted55]

If a bite is what it is, and if the swelling is going down, I would say it was, then it may take time at the point of bite for it to lose the swelling. Just keep your eyes on it and make sure there isn't something being missed.