Swollen ear lobe and wattles

[posey]

Does anyone know what may have caused this to happen?
My SL Wyandotte (10 months old) appears to be fine she is laying, eating, drinking, running around with the other chickens just like normal. Her poo is normal, her eyes are clear and so are the nostrils.
However, last evening I discovered that her wattles are thicker and grayish/purple in color and her right ear lobe was swollen like a small balloon (the size of a ping pong ball).
I thought it might be heat stress, it was 100 degrees here yesterday - NOT normal temps for the first of May.

We were able to catch her (they all free range) and she was panting some but I have seen them pant more intently than she, last summer.

I gave her a cool bath - which she seemed to like. I kept dripping cold water over her wattles and earlobe and I did notice that the size decreased ever so slightly.
Then I sent her back outside to dry off with her flock expecting things to be normal today; unfortunately they aren't.

However her ear lobe has decreased in size a bit more.
Her wattles have less thickness and a few wrinkles and a bit more pink color but are still rather gray/purple looking and thick.
Is this severe heat stress or something else altogether?

thanks
Posey

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

How is she doing now?

I have no idea what the problem could be. Is it possible that she got pecked by someone and the pecking caused the swelling?

 

[posey]

Dear HorseFeatherz:
She is only a little better.
The ear lobe is still swollen but 1/2 the size of the day I first posted.
It is red and hot and the swelling is under her beak and the wattles are still somewhat swollen.
She is acting fine but clearly she has an infection of some sort but I am at a loss to know what this is.
There is no marks or wounds, that I can see.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.
Posey:/

 

[chickenzoo]

Perhaps she got bit by something? You might want to start her on an antibiotic and see if it helps. Post a pic if you can.

 

[posey]

I just wanted to update ya'll on Gwen the Wyandotte's progress, before I left town for the weekend (but my hubby will be here.)
She is improving greatly. Her wattles are no longer swollen and are almost as pinkish/red as her rose comb. Yahoo!
The swelling under her beak is gone and the earlobe is 1/4th of its original swollen size and less purple/red in color and not as hot to the touch.

This is the 3rd day that she has been drinking water to which I have added ACV and therapeutic grade oregano essential oil.
I have been trying to use natural medicines and medicinal quality essential oils with my chicks, as much as possible, the last 6 months (we use them too.)
Therapeutic grade oregano is the strongest natural antibiotic on the planet - and it works.
I fully expect her to be able to kick this infection and to recover completely.

I'll check back in when I get home.

Thanks ya'll
Posey

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

How exciting that she is improving

I do wonder what happened - spider bite, sliver

Fasinating about the TG oregano - I will have to look into it more - thanks