Swollen face, one side, went away but came back on other side; sinus infection?

[Birdybooo]

Hi everyone, just wanted to say how much I have learnt from reading this forum, you guys have been so much help!

Maybe you guys can help me answer this one directly.
I had chickens for years now but this is the first time I came across this. I recently purchased a 16 weeks old Wyandotte and within a week she had a swollen face to the one side of her face, just under her eye. She did not have a runny nose, her eyes are perfect, no pus, she breath normally, the inside of her mouth is perfect, she can close her mouth, there is no strange smell coming from her, she is still eating like a trooper and she isn't sneezing. I read up on what it could be nd what I should do on BYC. So I started her on a course of antibiotic (oxytetracycline). After 5 days on it, the swelling went down so I stopped giving her the antibiotic. But after I came home from work today I notice the swelling has came back but on the other side of her face, it's not a massive swelling but it's big enough to take notice.

I just wanted to know if anyone had experience with this? What is it? If I need to be worry? And is there anything else I can do to treat her?

Any reply and help will be much appreciated!

 

[Haunted55]

It may be that you stopped the antibiotic too soon. Usually I will give the antibiotic for 7-10 days even if the symptoms have stopped. This way any infection, that may still be left, is being killed and will not come back.

 

[Birdybooo]

I only stopped it for 1 day and straight away it swelled on the other side, I put her back on antibiotics since. so you think I should keep at it for another 3 or 4 more days?

 

[Reurra]

I encountered this not too long ago in my Blue Australorp Ghost. She had NO other symptoms, just swelling above the eye. I used visine drops in case it was something inside, like a particle of dust. Other than that, she recovered fully. She still gets a little of it now and again, but its nothing like it was before.






I know that newcastle disease can cause swelling in the face, but with no other symptoms I dont think its anything that drastic.

Put her back on her meds and run it for 8-10 days. Remember though, the next time you use meds, use something different so whatever your fighting does not build an immunity.

I only stopped it for 1 day and straight away it swelled on the other side, I put her back on antibiotics since. so you think I should keep at it for another 3 or 4 more days?


Remember a chickens metabolism is vastly different than a humans. 24 hours is like 3 days to them. Stopping meds for one day is a big difference to them than it is to us.

 

[Birdybooo]

Thanks Reurra and haunted55 for the quick reply, I do hope it's nothing major. My girl's symptoms sounds almost exactly like yours Reurra, except mine has the swelling on the bottom of the eye. I have started her back on the med, I do have another antibiotic just in case I need to make a switch.

I never thought about the time difference between them and us, thanks for pointing that out, will have to be more careful in the future.

 

[Haunted55]

If it came back up in 24 hrs. after you stopped the antibiotic, then no, 3-4 days isn't going to do it. Usually with a tetracycline drug the course is 7-14 days. You could go back and give a full course of the drug and see what happens or you could move her up to a stronger drug like Tylan.

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/medicine-chart

Whatever you use, finish the dosing, even if your bird seems to be better after the first couple of days. If you can do so, pictures would help.

 

[Haunted55]

I encountered this not too long ago in my Blue Australorp Ghost. She had NO other symptoms, just swelling above the eye. I used visine drops in case it was something inside, like a particle of dust. Other than that, she recovered fully. She still gets a little of it now and again, but its nothing like it was before.






I know that newcastle disease can cause swelling in the face, but with no other symptoms I dont think its anything that drastic.

Put her back on her meds and run it for 8-10 days. Remember though, the next time you use meds, use something different so whatever your fighting does not build an immunity.

Pretty bird! I agree, if it were Newcastle there'd be a lot more going on.

 

[Birdybooo]

I have been trying to get tylan, but here in Australia it has to be purchased through a vet and even then they are stingy with that drug. There is only one website that delivery with Australia but they are selling it for $75AUS+$10 postage for only 100mg. I can only get my hand on oxytetracyline and Chlortetracycline Hydrochloride. I will put her back on the oxytetracyline for another week or 2 and see how it goes.

 

[Reurra]

Pretty bird! I agree, if it were Newcastle there'd be a lot more going on.

Thanks! Her son is just as pretty

She has had this problem now for about 3-4 months, it comes and goes, but other than the swelling, there is nothing to worry about I think. Its not as bad now as it was in the pictures. I think it might be a small abcess caused by a particle getting under he nictitating membrane.

Birdyboo: As long as its not obstructing her ability to see or breath, I dont think its too serious. However, keep a close eye for changes in health and behavior. Make sure she has plenty of water, perhaps add some vitamin supplements and ACV to the water, electrolytes too.

I have been trying to get tylan, but here in Australia it has to be purchased through a vet and even then they are stingy with that drug. There is only one website that delivery with Australia but they are selling it for $75AUS+$10 postage for only 100mg. I can only get my hand on oxytetracyline and Chlortetracycline Hydrochloride. I will put her back on the oxytetracyline for another week or 2 and see how it goes.

I have this exact problem in Canada. Sooooo many drugs are banned here. Fishzole, Tylan, forget it. If I ahve someone ship it to me from the States, that works, but it could get confiscated in customs, so its not worth the risk. I call a vet here and get "Its just a chicken." Gotta love it.

 

[Birdybooo]

Acv is apply cider vinegar? , I will go to the shop and get her some vitamin supplement and vinegar tomorrow, you don't know how relief I m to hear from people with more experience!

Your bird looks gorgeous! I m waiting on my two black Australorps actually, been on the waiting list or over a month now. I love their personality and look.