help! crusty nose, 11 days old

[duckcreekfarm]

Several meat mutt kits have crusty noses! 11 days old, fat, wiggly, starting to open eyes.

Possibly related to nest box eye? I'm cleaning nest box this afternoon just in case. Mom is healthy, no concerns whatsoever. Ever seen this before? Should I worry?

 

[Susie570]

Have you heard any sneezing? Can you post a picture?

 

[katiebear]

Is the crust possibly milk and grass dust? If your doe is producing a lot of milk this could happen...clean them off with a warm wet washcloth, and watch for more it may return at feeding time.If it is back when not fed then you may have something to worry about..also listen to their lungs, just hold them up to your ear..if you hear wheezing then you have trouble...change out the nest box material use long grass or hay not the fine stuff...keep us posted..

 

[MamaSheepdog]

It may be dust from the bedding as Katie said but it may also be related to the eyes. The tear duct drains to the sinuses, but if it is indeed mucous, that indicates advanced infection and possible "P". I personally culled a kit yesterday that had progressed to that point- but it was definitely snot, and not just bedding dust.

You can apply warm compresses to the eyes (plain water or chamomile tea) to soften the crust, and then gently wipe it away. You may need to do this twice daily for the first couple of days. Keeping the eyes open is important since the bacteria thrives in moist, low oxygen, dark environments.

I have found that this treatment is usually effective, but if it persists you can use a non-steroidal ophthalmic ointment or even put a drop on Pen-G in the eye.

If you see continued crusty nostrils after the eyes are better, I would cull the kits.

 

[Susie570]

My first thought was 'might be milk'. Since the mom isn't showing any symptoms and they're so young, I would think that supports the idea that it might not be anything serious. I believe that 'P' usually doesn't show up until later in kits?? Like around weaning time, usually isn't it?

Pictures would help folks to see what you're talking about. Certainly keep a close eye on them though.

 

[duckcreekfarm]

The eyes are unaffected, I just was thinking maybe it's the same mechanism as nest box eye?
I switched nest boxes. The one they were born in was very wet way at the bottom. I checked them out thoroughly, all very fat and clean except the noses.

Momma is a super over achiever and nurses them many times throughout the day so it may just be milk and dust.

I'm having trouble attaching a pic, let me see if I can resize it.