Swollen cheek

[DS17]

Discovered one of my hens with a swollen cheek. She did free range today so I wonder if it’s a bug bite?? The swelling is just on one side. She also seems to maybe have crop issues as she acts like she has issues swallowing. I have her separated for possible sour crop. Anyone have any ideas about the swelling? Thanks for any help!!

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

Is there a sour odor coming from her mouth? @Wyorp Rock do you think it could be an abscess?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Discovered one of my hens with a swollen cheek. She did free range today so I wonder if it’s a bug bite?? The swelling is just on one side. She also seems to maybe have crop issues as she acts like she has issues swallowing. I have her separated for possible sour crop. Anyone have any ideas about the swelling? Thanks for any help!!

Can you get photos of the inside of the beak?

Thanks!

 

[DS17]

I gave her some Benadryl last night and there is no change The bump is hard so I’m not sure if its a abscess.
I am having a hard time getting her beak open - never have I had a chicken that has been so difficult to look or get things into her mouth There is no odor from her mouth but she acts like she is having a hard time swallowing, even if she isn’t eating. She has lost weight but she does eat scrambled eggs and yogurt and is drinking.

Thanks!

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

Would you be able to get pictures of her crop? I'm curious(correct me if I'm wrong) but could this be impacted crop?

 

[DS17]

Would you be able to get pictures of her crop? I'm curious(correct me if I'm wrong) but could this be impacted crop?

When I picked her up yesterday, I couldn’t even find her crop. Last night after she ate the eggs and yogurt it was a little squishy. The crop was empty this morning. All that to say, I don’t think I don’t think there would be much to show if I did get a picture

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

OK so it's emptying!! I'm sorry, I was under the impression that it wasn't.

 

[DS17]

OK so it's emptying!! I'm sorry, I was under the impression that it wasn't.

No worries!! Crop issues are a pain!

 

[DS17]

I drained the bump and it was filled with clear fluid. I put triple antibiotic cream on it when I was done. We’ll see if it fills back up. I did my best to look down her beak and I don’t think i saw anything unusual. It’s still a mystery to me as to why she acts like it’s hard to swallow so if anyone has any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

I am surprised it was hard and then you got clear fluid out of it. It sounds like a cyst. Her problem swallowing sounds possibly like canker/histomoniasis which is a protozoan infection that causes yellow gunk inside the beak, on the tongue, cheek, and can invade the esophagus and crop wall. It is spread by pigeons and other wild birds. It also smells very rotten. Have you had any fowl pox from mosquitoes in your flock? The wet form of fowl pox can look similar to canker. If you can get someone to hold her wrapped in a towel, you might be able to take a picture of inside her beak. Here is some reading about canker:
https://www.bhwt.org.uk/hen-health/health-problems/oral-canker/