Egghead68 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 My hybrid Sarah is moulting but otherwise behaving normally. Yesterday I noticed a bare patch on the back of her neck where the skin is swollen, yellow and wrinkly. The vet is mystified and suggests a week on antibiotics followed by a biopsy if it doesn't improve. Anyone any ideas please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 It could be the activity of 'depluming mites' Egghead? They eat into the quills to suck the blood out at the base and invariably the feather snaps off. They are solitary creatures apparently and I have never seen one or researched much about them. We have had such as you on necks of several hens in the past. Each was treated with a single spray of Frontline from the vet (0.5mL and not licensed for chickens) and the feathers grew back. In your case there may be some inflammation under the skin, but that's what I would try. You must avoid any spray in the eyes so it might be best applied with a cotton bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 Thank you very much - that is definitely worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 It is spreading rapidly and now covers most of her neck. The others are picking on her. The vet said it did not look like typical depluming mites but it was worth treating her for this just in case. He said to order Xeno 450.i hope it arrives soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I've looked all over the Internet and can't find anything that describes this. Hope you get it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Thank you very much for looking. Linking to a thread which describes something a little bit similar: http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=96957 Edited March 14, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 I think the most likely possibilities are: 1. An infection (especially as she is moulting and, unfortunately, we have rats): (A) pasteurellosis (fowl cholera) http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/61/fowl-cholera-pasteurellosis (B) erysipelas http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/56/erysipelas © fowl pox (doesn't look like it) (D) Marek's disease http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/neoplasms/mareks_disease_in_poultry.html?qt=Marek's%20disease&alt=sh Another bacterial, fungal, viral or protozoan infection. 2. Parasites - depluming mites, other parasites (but she is not scratching) Other possibilities are trauma, a tumour, liver problems, poisoning, an allergy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 You can certainly rule out fowl pox Egghead. The photo shows feathers broken at the base, some bloody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Awww, poor little thing. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon and that she feels very much better. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Thank you. Easymec Ivemecin has arrived. I will use 4-5 drops and see how she goes. She seems happy and normal in herself for now, thankfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Not depluming mite. Skin and feather samples came back clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 How is she now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
