swollen eye and itchy comb

[Wyorp Rock]

How much ivermectin paste did you use? It may have lost some of it’s effectiveness as a wormer, but it may treat mites. It might also help to apply some petroleum jelly or plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment to the itchy spots on the comb or skin.

Good catch, I either didn't see or remember the OP had used Ivermectin for worming. ..

 

[crittercaretech]

Well, I'm sure not an expert nor a vet! LOL
The photos are interesting.
I'm going to tag in @Eggcessive and @casportpony as well, they may have better suggestions than I do.

Do you notice if there's any more spots like that on the rest of his body. Is he excessively preening or just scratching his head?

It could be scaly face mites or something like Feather (Depluming)mites, but the mucous and facial swelling is different.
Sometimes more than one issue can be going on.

Your vet is just being cautious I suppose. It must be very frustrating though.
On this one I lean toward using the SMZ-TMP instead of the Amoxicillin. I think it would be more effective.
I don't have concrete dosing info for SMZ-TMP I *think* this is correct, but Kim or Kathy may have something different. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-babies-are-dying-bactrim-smz-tmp-dosing.356425/page-2

Just doing a bit of "brainstorming" here for when Kim/Kathy come on - IF it's Scaly Face Mites or Depluming Mites (should see evidence of Depluming Mites elsewhere, I think). Ivermectin would be what I would use. Is there any contraindications between Ivermectin and SMZ-TMP?

he has some small spots on his lower back that has some pin feathers coming in but the skin looks healthy best i can tell. I looked him over pretty thoroughly when i was blow drying him after his bath. he is preening but not excessively that i have noticed. mainly scratching his head. When i noticed him really scracthing, I did give him a dose of 1.87 % ivermectin equine paste thought perhaps he had some form of parasite living under the skin and as precaution and figured it would hurt since he has some body mites. that was 3-4 days ago. i calculated the dosage for a 8.6 pound bird and adminstered through a small syringe by mouth. I wrote down the dose i gave him but am completely drawing a blank what it was at the moment. i will look up depluming mites i have never heard of them. ivermectin and SMZ -TMP tablets are safe together in equine and goats but not sure with other species. I agree the SMZ would be a better choice for a broader spectrum of pathogens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

he has some small spots on his lower back that has some pin feathers coming in but the skin looks healthy best i can tell. I looked him over pretty thoroughly when i was blow drying him after his bath. he is preening but not excessively that i have noticed. mainly scratching his head. When i noticed him really scracthing, I did give him a dose of 1.87 % ivermectin equine paste thought perhaps he had some form of parasite living under the skin and as precaution and figured it would hurt since he has some body mites. that was 3-4 days ago. i calculated the dosage for a 8.6 pound bird and adminstered through a small syringe by mouth. I wrote down the dose i gave him but am completely drawing a blank what it was at the moment. i will look up depluming mites i have never heard of them. ivermectin and SMZ -TMP tablets are safe together in equine and goats but not sure with other species. I agree the SMZ would be a better choice for a broader spectrum of pathogens.

Ivermectin is the most effective treatment for Depluming mites, so I would just repeat that in 10-14 days as usual.

For the scabs on the comb, see if there's an ointment or oil that you can put on there to maybe help relieve some of the dryness and itching(?)

 

[crittercaretech]

How much ivermectin paste did you use? It may have lost some of it’s effectiveness as a wormer, but it may treat mites. It might also help to apply some petroleum jelly or plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment to the itchy spots on the comb or skin.

i gave him 4.6 mg packed it into a insulin syringe with the end cut off and administered it by mouth. i wasn't paying much attention when i packed the syringe after measuring it out it out but believe it was close to .9 ml. that is the amount my vet told me for birds in the 8-10 lb range a few years ago if i was using horse paste wormer. i will try the triple AB ointment which would smother possible mites same as the vaseline wouldn't it? i don't have any wormer in my chicken supplies. i used to have a liquid chicken wormer but I believe someone borrowed it and never replaced it. without knowing a specific parasite is there a good broad spectrum wormer you recommend I should stock my medicine cabinet with.

 

[Vickischics]

i gave him 4.6 mg packed it into a insulin syringe with the end cut off and administered it by mouth. i wasn't paying much attention when i packed the syringe after measuring it out it out but believe it was close to .9 ml. that is the amount my vet told me for birds in the 8-10 lb range a few years ago if i was using horse paste wormer. i will try the triple AB ointment which would smother possible mites same as the vaseline wouldn't it? i don't have any wormer in my chicken supplies. i used to have a liquid chicken wormer but I believe someone borrowed it and never replaced it. without knowing a specific parasite is there a good broad spectrum wormer you recommend I should stock my medicine cabinet with.

I am a RN. If you are using an insulin syringe, it is not in Mls or cc. The insulin syringe is dosed in Units. You might want to double check your dosing.
9 Units= 0.09 ml/cc
10 Units= 0.1 ml/cc
11 Units= .11 ml/cc
12 Units= 0.12 ml/cc and so forth.

 

[Vickischics]

Ivermectin is the most effective treatment for Depluming mites, so I would just repeat that in 10-14 days as usual.

For the scabs on the comb, see if there's an ointment or oil that you can put on there to maybe help relieve some of the dryness and itching(?)

Wyorp Rock, Can Coconut oil be used to relieve the dryness and itching?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wyorp Rock, Can Coconut oil be used to relieve the dryness and itching?

I actually like vaseline better, but yes, coconut oil can be used.

 

[crittercaretech]

I am a RN. If you are using an insulin syringe, it is not in Mls or cc. The insulin syringe is dosed in Units. You might want to double check your dosing.
9 Units= 0.09 ml/cc
10 Units= 0.1 ml/cc
11 Units= .11 ml/cc
12 Units= 0.12 ml/cc and so forth.

As I read your post I only got to the second sentence. When I read, "if you are using an insulin syringe", I knew where you were going and a little light came on in my head. I know this information, but I did not even take that into consideration when I was medicating him. I can say I was tired or come up with another reason, but there is no excuse for this kind of mindless oversight with medication. I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. I will do some more math and make adjustments. Thank you for taking time to help us this evening

 

[Vickischics]

As I read your post I only got to the second sentence. When I read, "if you are using an insulin syringe", I knew where you were going and a little light came on in my head. I know this information, but I did not even take that into consideration when I was medicating him. I can say I was tired or come up with another reason, but there is no excuse for this kind of mindless oversight with medication. I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. I will do some more math and make adjustments. Thank you for taking time to help us this evening

No Problem. I was following the post and when I saw that, boom! I pounced. lol
It is a common mistake. Fortunately, it was on the lesser side of dosing. Unfortunately, I have seen the effects on Diabetics. It is not pretty whenever they use a ml/cc syringe to dose themselves. Good luck with getting your chicken on the mend.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Get a photo of your syringes.
Ivermectin paste dose is 0.045ml per pound of weight so for a 9 pound chicken that would be .41 ml dose. So you may have actually gave him the correct amount.