Wry neck for one month due to probable ear infection

[Mittmom]

1. 4 year old Lavender Orpington, 7lbs one month ago, probably less now
2. Fairly bad wry neck, walks, drinks, eats, stays with flock but sleeps a lot, scratches ear
3. Wry neck came on about a month ago. She also had been gaping for several months so we gave SafeGuard about 3 weeks ago and the gaping cleared up. A few days ago we noticed the area around her down facing (due to wry neck) ear (earlobe) is probably infected because there is white stuff coming out and yellow crusty stuff on it. Probably cut due to her scratching.
4. No birds with the same symptoms.
5. No signs of trauma.
6. About 6 months ago we noticed her ear was plugged. We treated with peroxide over a period of days and got the plug out. We put Neosporin on it.
7. She drinks water and eats soaked crumbles. She will also eat scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and harder treats. She seems to be able to eat okay but probably not eating as much.
8. Runny and green.
9. Aside from the above treatments, when she first developed wry neck, before we realized what seems to be going on (infection), we gave her Vitamins B and E along with egg. We did that for 2-3 weeks. We have also given her Poultry Cell. Since realizing her ear looks infected we put triple ointment on her ear a few times. We ordered enrofloxacin which should be arriving today or tomorrow. Then I realized it is illegal for use in chickens so I'm wondering if there is a readily available alternative.
10. We do not have an avian vet and would like to treat ourselves.
11. I will try to get a picture and post.
12. She free ranges in our backyard and sleeps in a coop with construction sand for bedding. Since this all started about a month ago she is unable to fly up to the perch. We also have to help her find her way into the coop each night and she seems disoriented and somewhat off balance.

I was SO SURE she would be dead by now but she doesn't seem to worsen and some days seems a bit better. If we could help her recover from what we now realize is likely an infection, or at least be more comfortable, that would be a blessing. I truly appreciate the collective wisdom and advice. Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully with treating the ear infection and getting it cleared up, the symptoms of Wry Neck will start to resolve.

Does she have any lice/mites? You may want to treat for those too. Permethrin poultry dust can be found at stores like TSC.

I'd also offer supportive care by giving 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4tablet B-Complex daily for several weeks.

 

[Mittmom]

Hopefully with treating the ear infection and getting it cleared up, the symptoms of Wry Neck will start to resolve.

Does she have any lice/mites? You may want to treat for those too. Permethrin poultry dust can be found at stores like TSC.

I'd also offer supportive care by giving 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4tablet B-Complex daily for several weeks.

Do you know of an antibiotic other than Bayril that I could/should give her to help? I saw someone recommend Tylosin for respiratory illness. I'll start with cleaning and treating the ear though. We do have Permethrin dust. She probably has a few mites, and treating is a good idea, thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you know of an antibiotic other than Bayril that I could/should give her to help? I saw someone recommend Tylosin for respiratory illness. I'll start with cleaning and treating the ear though. We do have Permethrin dust. She probably has a few mites, and treating is a good idea, thank you!

Baytril will be your best bet since you aren't sure of the cause of infection. I do understand about the meds not being approved for use in poultry, some vets will prescribe it for off label use.

Since you are only treating and dosing her then toss her eggs for 30days.

Tylosin is very good a treating symptoms respiratory disease like Mycoplasma but is not as broad spectrum as Baytril.