Mary-Jane
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Chook emergency - medical opinion please!My friend and neighbour Lisa has just telephoned me very worried about one of her hens. She has suddenly developed a swollen face on one side and the eye is closed that side of her face. It came on very suddenly this morning (the hend having been her normal self this morning) and now the chook has tucked herself away looking very sorry for herself. Anyone got any idea what it might be, and if so, how she can treat it?
I wondered whether it might be a nasty cold and a blockage?
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sally_in_wales
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its merely a guess, but could the hen have pricked herself on a bramble or similar causing a localised swelling? Might be worth seeing if there is any visible puncture perhaps?
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Lorrainelovesplants
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Could be mycoplasma - lift hen up and listen for wheezy/gurgly/ rattly noises.
Could be that another hen has pecked it. Check for bleeding, feathers pulled out, discharge from eye/beak?
Could be a reaction to something like nettles.
Could be loads of things.
If its eating/drinking and shitting normally, Id be happy to give it a watching brief and see if it clears up in a day or two. Check other hens are healthy.
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Mary-Jane
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| Lorrainelovesplants wrote: | | Could be mycoplasma - lift hen up and listen for wheezy/gurgly/ rattly noises. |
What should she do if it's this?
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Lorrainelovesplants
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There's tons of info on the web, but its hard to make diagnosis - could just be a cold. The best poultry vets include a guy called David Shingleton who's based near Bristol. Your (her) vet could prescribe a general antibiotic such as Tylan, but I'd get a diagnosis nailed before going down that road.
Eliminate the chance that its nothing to worry about first.
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Lorrainelovesplants
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The other (again, not nice) possibility is Infectious Coryza, which is similar in symptoms, but with a conjunctivitus type eye discharge.
Again, treat with anti-biotic (some vets will not prescribe without seeing the bird- this could prove very costly).
If its either of these the birds may recover, but will never be free of the thing, and it will be passed to all the birds they associate with. Thats how they probably got it (from wild birds).
But it MIGHT be something like henpecking. Hard to make a diagnosis at distance.
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GSHP
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If it is mycoplasma smell the hens nostrils..the infection has a distinct smell. Hopefully it's just a localised swelling ,as mentioned before and she will recover quickly.
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Tavascarow
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There are a lot of dopey wasps around now, wondering if she has agravated one & got stung?
Isolation would be a wise precaution in case it is something infectious.
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Chez
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I would have thought that if it was mycoplasma, it would have taken a couple of days at least to get that bad - although it might be a different variant to the one that my lot had.
I would go for possible pecking, sting, maybe foreign body in the eye, a scratch.
Either way; bathe with lucke-warm water and isolate and wait and see if any of the others come down with it.
If there is any breathing noise in any of them, as LLP says, get the vet involved pronto, because treatment for that kind of respiratory thing works best if started early. Tylan and baytril are prescription-only and sometimes one is effective where the other won't be. Fingers crossed it's not necessary though.
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Rob R
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| Chez wrote: | | I would go for possible pecking, sting, maybe foreign body in the eye, a scratch. |
Or cat- it sounds very familiar.
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vanessa
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Of course, the most important thing it to isolate the bird as quickly as possible ... for 2 reasons. Firstly, it makes sure that if it IS an infection, risks of spreading to other birds in the flock are minimised. Secondly, it gives the affected bird the best possible chances of recovery, as she'll have peace-and-quiet and no fight for food and water.
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Lorrainelovesplants
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Any update re the sick hen?
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