staggering hen with eye problem

[chicksandbees]

So our Rhode Island Red hen has developed a strange problem about two days ago... she's walking around like she's drunk! She just came out of the chicken coop all wobbly one morning, and we thought she'd just injured a foot, but she doesn't seem to be particularly favoring either foot, she just wobbles and staggers and struggles to keep her balance. We haven't actually ever seen her fall over yet, but this definitely doesn't seem right! She's still eating and drinking well, and is eager to get outside with the other girls in the morning, but she walks very carefully, and doesn't scratch at the ground -- no fast motions, they upset her balance!

Tonight we caught her to check her over more closely and we notice that she has a strange, firm, yellowish bump just under her lower right eyelid. No idea what this is, but it's not a foreign object (it's firmly attached or part of the tissue).

take a look and let us know what you think it might be!
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/studious_academic/?action=view&current=IMG_1166.jpg

Currently we're giving her electrolytes and vitamins in water, along with duramycin (tetracycline hydrochloride) because it's what the local ranch supply recommended. We're just taking shots into the dark here, though, since we have no idea what this could be. Sinus infection? Ear/Eye infection? Fungal infection? The only theory we've got so far is that it's something that might be affecting her balance because of the proximity of whatever this thing in her eye is to her inner ear. And she's wobbling, but not in a neurological way (no spasms, twitches, or seizures).

Any idea what's going on here? Would really appreciate any help!



other pictures:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/studious_academic/?action=view&current=IMG_1158.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/studious_academic/?action=view&current=IMG_1162.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/studious_academic/?action=view&current=IMG_1163.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/studious_academic/?action=view&current=IMG_1165.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/studious_academic/?action=view&current=IMG_1164.jpg

 

[chicksandbees]

Sounds like we're not alone with this stumbling/staggering problem... after reading several other posts on the board, I'm wondering if there's some sort of disease or condition going around this time of year... thoughts?

 

[babsbag]

I have one hen that is acting the same as yours, but she does not even want to eat or drink right now. But she certainly acts "drunk"

I also had one die last week. She had an eye injury, but seemed to have recovered from that, then she gets quiet one morning, and dead by afternoon . I didn't even have time to try and treat her as I had to go to work.

Here is my post regarding my sick hen. I appreciates any ideas and updates from anybody.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=284788

-Barbara