Violently scratching at head??????????

[Reurra]

Stumy started scratching his head yesterday and i cant figure out why. I found a single tiny red bump just behind his eye, just above his ear. I think that might be what is bothering him, but Im not sure how i should go about helping. Since I dont know exactly what it is. When he scratches his wattles and comb turn red, but when he is normal his wattles and comb turn pale. His eye gets all squinty and he tucks his head to the left, which is the side the little red bump is on. Then he starts scratching like he is trying to take his head off.

The bump is tiny, like a pin prick. I dont see any mites, but I know sometimes you cant see them. I know mites can cause paleness.

Do you think it would hurt him to treat with sevin? He is 14 weeks old now.

Should I also treat the other chicks I have in the house as well? They are 6 weeks old. None of them are scratching, just Stumpy.

And if its not mights, is there some sort of ointment I can apply that might help with the itching?

Can they get ear mites from cats?? I just got 2 cats and they love to sleep by the brooder.

 

[Judy]

I'd probably mix up a watery solution of Sevin and dab it on, just in case, then go back and put some cortisone cream on it for the itching, or Benadryl cream.

 

[Reurra]

I thought maybe calamine lotion. We cant get cortozone cream of any kind here unless its perscription...Gotta love canada!! Anyhow thanks! Ill see if i can get some benadryl cream somewhere.

 

[Reurra]

I treated for mites, but he is still going nuts scratching at his head. I cant find anything crawling on him. Hes getting to the point where he is crying. It must be an ear problem, I cant find anything!

 

[dawg53]

It could be ear mites. Use an eyedropperful of vegetable oil and put a few drops in each ear. The oil will smother the mites and eventually kill them if that's what it is. Repeat as necessary.

 

[Reurra]

Thanks Dawg, I value your impute! Ive seen your info here and I know your a top notch base of information!

I'll try that for sure. Can you see the mites if you look down the ear? i look down there and i cant see anything. Should i also do it for my other babies? I ahve a 6 week old silkie and two 6 week old bantams.

 

[Reurra]

He is still scratching madly. He has been treated with sevin and oil for the ears. Im going to treat him again with sevin later tonight. I might have used too little before. He is starting to tear the skin above his head.

 

[Reurra]

Its getting worse. Its happening now about every 10 minutes now.

 

[dawg53]

It's clear that it's becoming a quality of life issue. Perhaps it might be best to put the poor roo down instead of letting him suffer.

 

[Reurra]

This is little Stumpy, the little guy I hand raised. He is 14 weeks this week.

I just put Juicy down a few days ago because I wasnt willing to risk possible Mareks. He was Stumpy's brood mate.

If I have to, then I will. But it wont be easy at all.

I did dust him again with Sevin. I'll give him 2 days more. If it does not improve, I guess I will have to make another decision on quality of life.

Until then Im putting Neosporin on the scratches. He seems to be scratching more to the back of his neck now than his ears. I dont know what to think about that. He pulled 2 feathers out since I dusted him.

Here is a link about Stumpy.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/670241/stumpy-then-and-now-pics-updated/10#post_9361490