Can you post a pic of it? Is there any chance she's broken her wing? Unfortunately, growths like this are not good news. If it is hard, it is likely tissue and not fluid, so is not a cyst or abcess (which is more treatable). I'd take her to the vet right away for a diagnosis. My vet has told me in the past that chickens are susceptible to something like 300+ types of cancers and growths. I once had a Polish hen who had a growth like the one you describe at the base of her tail--otherwise she was healthy and perky. All we could do it keep her comfortable and happy until she went, about a week later. But she was active and in no pain right up until she died. The growth just sucked all of her body's energy and nutrients away. I wish I had happier things to tell you, but that was the experience I had with my hen and that's the info I got from my vet, for what it's worth. I'd take her to a vet and get a diagnosis to start, meanwhile keep her warm, comfortable and quiet, and make sure the other birds don't peck at her. Make sure she is eating and drinking normally, and that she doesn't have any other symptoms. Good luck with her! Velvet ~:>

Maggie, It is hard knowing that our wee ones need surgery. I remember early this year posting about Peyton needing surgery for a cyst on her neck and your posting about Grace. Peyton had surgery and all came out well in January. Now the boys ( Hayden 2 and Hudson 1) are both having tubes in and Hayden is getting his tonsils and adnoids out too. I worry about the surgery and put off scheduling it. Will probably worry every hour until it is over, but I know it is better to get it done now rather than wait and have it affect their health and learning more. It is hard to do but better to have it done now rather than later when the cyst is more involved or it becomes a risky surgery. Stacie

Years ago, 1986,to be exact, I had an Ovarian Cycst that grew very rapidly. The doctors actually thought I had Ovarian Cancer but when they went to do the hysterectomy, they found what they called "a Hershey Kiss" Cycst the size of a GRAPEFRUIT! It actually ruptured when they were removing it. Along with it, I had Endometreosis everywhere. They ending up taking my Appendix, a total hysterectomy and had to clean off alot of my major organs from the Endometreosis. The pain the last week before the surgery was horrible. I couldn't lay down cause the cycst was actually pressing on my kidney and had pushed my bladder way out of place. I was so grateful that it wasn't cancer that whatever they had to do was okay by me. Back then they didn't have many of the tests they do now. I wouldn't wait. I would do what is necessary ASAP. I don't mean to scare you but the pain won't get better without something being done. Are they sure it isn't a complication from your partial hysterectomy?

Hi Morgan, Well I went to the ENT and he believed that this was a cyst in the parotid gland. He did mention surgery, but not now. The swelling had come down quite a bit in the 5 days I was on the Keflex, but hurt like you know what, if it was touched. So he wanted to drain the cyst and I said fine. A couple of injections of novacaine and a big syringe to pull out the fluid. Thing is there was no fluid coming out. All they got was a very small amount of pus that was sent off to the lab. He was very surprised. told me that if the pain got worse, the swelling got worse or I started to run a fever again to call right away. Went home and by the time I got home it was hurting like crazy again. The pain was worse where the needles went in for the novacaine and the drainage and it was hard as a rock again. Took more keflex and some tylenol and crawled back to bed. Next day seemed to be a bit better and continued on the antibiotic. By Wednesday night the pain was horrible and the swelling was getting worse. Didn't sleep all night and called the docs office the next morning and told them what was happening and could taste some drainage into my mouth again. They called me back in about 20 minutes and changed the antibiotic to Augmentum, which is worse on the stomach than the Keflex. told me to start it that evening and take it twice a day. Then find out the doc is away this week, but if it doesn't get better in a few days or gets worse or something to call and I can talk to the doc that is covering. Well the Augmentum is killing my stomach. I'm either nauseas most of the day or running to the bathroom and you have to take this med after eating a meal or it won't work. You need the food to help absorb the medicine. The good news is the swelling is almost gone in my neck and that part of me is feeling much better. The rest of me with the med is feeling horrible, but as long as I can finish the bottle, I'll be happy. Have 7 more days to go to finish as he gave me 14 days worth to take. I just hope that I can continue to finish the meds. I did have some swelling go into my cheek but that was from the swelling in my neck. I have not had any pain go into my ear though. The ENT did try to see if pressure on the swelling would cause drainage into my mouth. It didn't at the time I saw him but it did the next day. It was off and on. If I where you, I would get another opinion with another ENT doc. The one you are using doesn't seem to know what is going on. It sure wouldn't hurt to have another opinion since this has been going on for so long for you. As for surgery, I feel the same way and before I ever consented to surgery I would get at least one other opinion. Made that mistake a few years ago and had surgery on my arm and have suffered permenent disabilities since and should never have had the surgery. Long story but it was incorrect diagnosis. Would never make the same mistake twice. Let us...