Swelling on quail's head

[eyc299]

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out for advice because I’m out of options. One of my female quail has had this large swelling on her forehead for the past four months. It hasn't gone away or changed in size. I’ve attached a close-up photo for reference.

• The swelling is firm and doesn’t appear to be painful when touched.
• No discharge, bleeding, or foul smell.
• She’s eating, drinking, and behaving normally overall.
• No signs of respiratory issues or lethargy.
• She lives in a clean enclosure and isn’t being pecked by others, as far as I can tell.
• Unfortunately, I don’t have access to an avian vet where I live.

At first, I thought it might be an injury or a peck wound that got inflamed, but after 4 months of no improvement, I’m wondering if this could be a cyst, tumor, or abscess. I’ve been cleaning the area gently with saline solution, but I haven’t attempted to drain or pop it....(should i?)

Does anyone recognize what this could be? And is there anything safe I can do at home if this needs treatment? Any insight, similar experiences, or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Susan Skylark]

Chronic swelling with no improvement or worsening or systemic issues is likely a benign tumor/cyst or a walled off infection/foreign body. Tumor just means lump, a cyst is a fluid filled lump, or the body has imprisoned a small infection or something like a splinter inside. Don’t squeeze or poke it or you will end up with an active abscess. As it is just cosmetic leave it be, you don’t need to clean it either. Could be something like proud flesh in horses, she poked or scraped it and the body went a little nuts with the scar tissue!