What does this hen have ?

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Please do not give up.
It is just hard for us as we all have an uncontrolable urge to help you and the Chicken.

I for one have not blamed any one in this situation,

I had helped a chicken with one totally pluged ear it was almost as bad as this one.
That is why I keep dweling on getting the gunk out "NOT TO BE A PEST"
It did come out in a few big clumps when I worked at it and aplyed pressure with my fingure buy going around the ear in a circle. But I did not apply any meds first, maybe that is the difference.
I gave meds in the water, I gave it a shot of antibiotics and I got medicated ear drops that I applyed to the iner ear When the junk came out it was a big ear hole but it shrank up to normal size by the next day.

I have not noticed any recent posts being judgmental,
It was just the initial shock of the extent of the illness that got some peoples hackles up.
I do not judge them either. they are sweeties and animal lovers, that is why we are all here.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, WHEN ONE THING SHOWS NO IMPROVEMANT MOVE ON THE PLAN B.

I have only heard good things about Peter Brown I think writing him is worth a shot.
Please keep us posted I can't wait to see new pictures when she ids feeling better.

 

[urbanagrarian]

Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies :

Please do not give up.
It is just hard for us as we all have an uncontrolable urge to help you and the Chicken.

I for one have not blamed any one in this situation,

I had helped a chicken with one totally pluged ear it was almost as bad as this one.
That is why I keep dweling on getting the gunk out "NOT TO BE A PEST"
It did come out in a few big clumps when I worked at it and aplyed pressure with my fingure buy going around the ear in a circle. But I did not apply any meds first, maybe that is the difference.
I gave meds in the water, I gave it a shot of antibiotics and I got medicated ear drops that I applyed to the iner ear When the junk came out it was a big ear hole but it shrank up to normal size by the next day.

I have not noticed any recent posts being judgmental,
It was just the initial shock of the extent of the illness that got some peoples hackles up.
I do not judge them either. they are sweeties and animal lovers, that is why we are all here.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, WHEN ONE THING SHOWS NO IMPROVEMANT MOVE ON THE PLAN B.

I have only heard good things about Peter Brown I think writing him is worth a shot.
Please keep us posted I can't wait to see new pictures when she ids feeling better.

I shouldn't have mentioned blame when I quoted your post. I'm sorry I realize you have not blamed anyone. I was just quoting your post about getting the gunk out and then kind of just went on. It wasn't addressed to you.


UPDATE - She looks really bad. Her head is twisted and she hasn't eaten all day. I did degunk one ear again but before doing the other I decided it's time to put her down. I'm too tired to do it now now, and I also need to shower after dealing with all that infection, but I'm afraid I have come to the decision to euthanize her first thing tomorrow if nothing changes. I don't want her to suffer any more. Thanks everyone for all the help and support. I did put another photo on photobucket, in case it will help anyone else in the future. It's not pretty.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd155/urbanagrarian/avain_ear_infection.jpg

The cheesy stuff will not irrigate out, but needs to be picked out bit by bit and seems to adhere to the ear wall.


FLufnstufs, You didn't happen to take any photos of the ear infection you treated did you. I know these things aren't fun to look at, but I think it's educational if we share them.

Urban Agrarian
http://urban-agrarian.blogspot.com/​

 

[FutureChickenMan]

Dumb question.. I know y'all are trying to get the goop out of the ears... is it possible the moisture is continuing the infection?

One of my beagles is prone to ear infections and the vet told me it's becaue her ears are long and it keeps the ear canal from drying out. The natural ear boogers in side basically rot and create that "yeasty" smell. With that, he said to clean her ears more often with this wash stuff or the cleaning pads you can get at the store. (sorry going off track) anyway, when i was getting the cleaning stuff at the store I found a bottle of stuff (forgot the name) that was specifically for long eard dogs. It's a gel you squirt in their ear that drys out the ear canal and turns the goop in to a powder that comes out much easier. As well as drying up the excess moisture. It's worked quite well for the beagle, is it possible this same stuff would help the chicken? (Like I said dumb question but if it would work it might be worth a shot)

Oh... also as you probably have already been advised, add yougurt to the diet. It works well for helping these kind of yeasty infections. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Windy Ridge]

Oh, the poor baby, she does look just miserable. I'm still rooting for her. Even if worse comes to worst, though, I'm so glad you tried to help her and gave her a real chance to recover.

:aww

I hope when I check the forum tomorrow it will be good news somehow!

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Oh you poor things ~ we can see that you have tried your best, If she is not drinking then she is not getting the antibiotics.
I will be thinking of you in the morning when you have to make your decisions.

No I did not take pictures of the little hen I treated.

 

[BJ]

Flufnstuffs...you are amazing and I am impressed with your knowledge and experience. I wish I had someone like you closeby to help me when I needed to treat my birds. I lost 6 chickens over the winter and I was just beside myself trying to figure out what to do. Did you have someone show you how to give shots? Do you get your supplies from First State Vet Supply? I finally took my last sick chicken to Purdue University for a Necropsy. They euthenized her there and then proceeded with the necropsy to find out what was going on.

My heart goes out to you, Urban Agrarian. I know how tough it can be when you are trying to treat the illness but don't want any more suffering to come to the bird...

 

[dlhunicorn]

no, after looking at your recent photo it is not getting any better... ear infections like this (which may have been initiated by earmites if there was no respiratory symptoms) need specific meds and when it is swollen there will usually be corticosteroids in the topical med to help with swelling)... your efforts were admirable but without specialistic advice and meds then it is best to put her down at this point :aww

 

[IHeartChickens]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience here. I'm sorry she did not recover. I admire all your effort and your willingness to share the story.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Looks like the infections going into her eyes now too...call Peter Brown...