Canker sores

[CoopedInn]

Hi everyone,

Been a long time since I've posted here. I hope someone here can help. I have a Partridge Rock that I believe has a canker sore in her mouth or back of her throat. Two days ago, we first noticed Polly was behaving peculiarly - not seeming to be interested in treats and "smacking" her beak like trying to swallow something. She continued this behavior yesterday, and I thought I noticed something in the back of her throat.

At first, I saw something that made me think she may have something stuck there that she had been unable to swallow. After doing a search on the internet, I am pretty confident that what I saw was a canker sore. I separated her from the rest of the flock. She has drank some water, but not very much. She is not eating at all. I have ordered some Copper Sulfate to give to her to treat it, and to the rest of the flock as a preventative based on some things I've read here and on other websites.

Until this arrives, is there anything else I can give Polly, first of all as a treatment, and secondly, something for nutrition. She has not ate in at least two days as far as I know. I offered her some yogurt earlier this evening and she was not interested. Is there something I can put into a dropper to give to her? I'm just concerned that force feeding her may cause her to choke. It must be painful - she continues the smacking, and she keeps her left eye closed some (this is the side of the throat that the sore appears to be on). She is a beautiful bird, and I don't want to lose her, but I also don't want her to suffer.

 

[biophiliac]

Would this be at all helpful?
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/canker Metronidozole?
Hope your girl improves Have you tried offering scrambled egg? Someone more knowledgeable than me should be by to give you some advice, @Wyorp Rock ?
Are there pigeons or doves in the area? they seem to be the main carriers of the parasite that causes canker in chickens.
Good info on canker in pigeons,
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm032

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@biophiliac has given you some good information and links.

Metronidazole can be used to treat canker. Most of the time it's sole as "FishZole" (Metronidazole, Flagyl) usually has to be ordered online, but you may be able to find it at a fish store. Use 250 mg divided into 2 doses given 12 hours apart daily for 5 days.

The Acidified Copper Sulfate would be good help prevent further spreading the infection.
Clean and sanitize your water stations daily.

 

[biophiliac]

@biophiliac has given you some good information and links.

Metronidazole can be used to treat canker. Most of the time it's sole as "FishZole" (Metronidazole, Flagyl) usually has to be ordered online, but you may be able to find it at a fish store. Use 250 mg divided into 2 doses given 12 hours apart daily for 5 days.

The Acidified Copper Sulfate would be good help prevent further spreading the infection.
Clean and sanitize your water stations daily.

I'm concerned this hen is not eating, DK about drinking. Is tube feeding an option? or a bad idea. Is the prognosis good for chickens with canker? Thanks.

 

[CoopedInn]

Thank you for the replies. I have a local Petsmart, and I searched their website for FishZole, and it brings up about seven products for bacterial and fungal infections, but none of them state they contain "metronidazole, flagyl". They appear to be natural extracts - tea tree oil, bay leaf. Also, I know that Lowe's sells a product called root killer, which is copper sulfate, but I wasn't sure if this is the same as the copper sulfate intended for livestock. Are any of the above options?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the replies. I have a local Petsmart, and I searched their website for FishZole, and it brings up about seven products for bacterial and fungal infections, but none of them state they contain "metronidazole, flagyl". They appear to be natural extracts - tea tree oil, bay leaf. Also, I know that Lowe's sells a product called root killer, which is copper sulfate, but I wasn't sure if this is the same as the copper sulfate intended for livestock. Are any of the above options?

The root killer you are looking at at Lowes is not the same as Acidified Copper Sulfate that is used for livestock - best wait for what you ordered.

The API Fungus Cure at Petsmart may be what you can use, but you will need to find the active ingredients to see what it contains. I see they don't mention that on the listing.

As @biophiliac mentions it is concerning that she is not drinking/eating. Staying hydrated is most important. Tubing or syringing fluid into her would be a good idea. Even though the canker is in the beak, without proper hydration and nutrition, it will be hard for her to recover. http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding


Ideally if you can find this...it would be best.

https://www.jefferspet.com/products/acidified-copper-sulfate-1

 

[CoopedInn]

I tracked the shipment, and the accidified copper sulfate that I ordered will not deliver until Monday. I went to a local pet store, and they did not have the Fish Zole either. I noticed on the link provided by biophiliac that Thyme extract has been found to be as effective as Metronidazole, so I went to local herbal nutrition store. They did not have the Thyme extract, but the herbalist there suggested Oregano oil after I told her the intended purpose. She said that Oregano and Thyme are often used interchangeably. I took her advice and purchased some. I found these links which seem to support what she told me.

http://www.mycankersoretreatment.com/wild-oregano-oil-zap-mouth-sores/

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/04/oregano-as-natural-antibiotic.html

I put a few drops directly in Polly's beak, and a few drops in her water as well. Will keep an eye on her and provide an update. Thanks again for everyone's input!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thyme and Oregano can be used to treat certain illnesses. I just have not studied enough to comfortably recommend alternative treatments - I'm glad you were able to speak with the herbalist at the store.
From my understanding, Oregano oil is very hot, did she recommend a dosage? It may be better to try to apply the oil directly to the canker with a qtip or dilute it a bit in water or a carrier oil, but that's just my thoughts.

Please do let us know how it works, this will be helpful to us all.

 

[biophiliac]

I tracked the shipment, and the accidified copper sulfate that I ordered will not deliver until Monday. I went to a local pet store, and they did not have the Fish Zole either. I noticed on the link provided by biophiliac that Thyme extract has been found to be as effective as Metronidazole, so I went to local herbal nutrition store. They did not have the Thyme extract, but the herbalist there suggested Oregano oil after I told her the intended purpose. She said that Oregano and Thyme are often used interchangeably. I took her advice and purchased some. I found these links which seem to support what she told me.

http://www.mycankersoretreatment.com/wild-oregano-oil-zap-mouth-sores/

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/04/oregano-as-natural-antibiotic.html

I put a few drops directly in Polly's beak, and a few drops in her water as well. Will keep an eye on her and provide an update. Thanks again for everyone's input!

She is fortunate to have your care. Good idea to consult the herbalist! I will keep you both in my thoughts and look for an update.
ETA I am especially interested in treatment of canker since I plan to have some pigeons and they are particularly susceptible to canker. :/

 

[CoopedInn]

Well, I'm sad to report that Polly did not survive. I've been raising chickens for just over three years (and she was nearly three herself). I've not lost but a couple, but it is always hard. I believe the canker was too advanced by the time that I spotted it. I'll add the acidified copper sulfate to my other hens' water tomorrow when it arrives as a precautionary measure. I believe it is recommended to administer about 5 days, just in case any of the rest of the flock are infected, and three days a month afterwards for prevention. Does anyone know how long I am to discard eggs?

Regarding the parasitic infection that brings this on, I have not really been seeing any doves or pigeons in my yard. We have had a lot of rain over the last couple of months, and the girls love to drink water puddled on the ground when I let them run. And I am sure other wild birds do it too, so possibly this is how Polly picked up the parasite?

Thanks again for all the replies and advice!