kittyl Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I'm really worried, any advice would be welcome. I bought 2 new bantams recently, a few days later I noticed Nettle's eye. I presumed it was an injury from the introductions but a week later it hasn't improved. She is very healthy otherwise, would she be ill if it was mareks? I didn't notice it when I got her, maybe I missed it, if it was mareks would this symptom appear suddenly or gradually over time? This is Nettle's eye when I first noticed it and the normal one this is her eye yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I'm totally no expert but I'd get a vet to look at her. I lost my cockerel to suspected Marek's in dec and it was a very upsetting experience He was a little off but I had put that down to his full moult and it being winter. He went down hill rapidly (FR on sat & paralyzed by the following morning) and had to be PTS. Also couldn't see the pic of the "normal" eye to compare. Hope it's good news for your hen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyl Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 sorry,dont know what happened there - here's her normal eye I've had a hen develop a very small pupil once, that was a pain reaction as she had an infection, but this is very different. I shall get her to my vet next week, he's avian but not chicken expert but hopefully he'll know if its an injury or infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Hi Kitty. From what I've read it's the 2 things together that would indicate Marek's 1, pupil distortion & 2, eye colour change with a blue hue. Is she a pekin? I have 8 pekins and Monty who I lost to Marek's was a pekin too. He didn't have any classic signs of Marek's, but went downhill really fast, with the classic one leg thrown forwards and the other back, struggling for every breath I'm also on the perfect pekins forum and it's funny because 3 of us have lost birds to Marek's recently although it's not common in pekins I've been told. Please keep in touch and let's hope it's something and nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyl Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 yes Mimi she's a pekin, and a very healthy and feisty little madam too with no sign of anything wrong except this eye. It is discoloured, but only in one place, I'm hoping this points to an injury. Vet's tomorrow am, I hope I get some answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 What a gorgeous little madam she is! Good luck at the vets. Hope all turns out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyl Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 I just found this article on a parrot site, gives me some hope! "Temporarily distorted pupils can be caused by focal spasm of the iris dilator muscles, which generally resolve themselves within a few minutes. The cause is generally of benign neural origin and requires no treatment. Still, if other symptoms appear, a vet may need to be consulted. Longer-lasting changes to the shape of a pupil could be a result of an eye infection (following a scratch to the cornea), resulting in an inflammation of the iris. This can result in blindness if not treated. An inflammation of the iris (which could be caused by an infection, autoimmune disorder, arthritis or skin disease) could also be possibilities" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Kitty, any news on how little Nettle's vet visit went? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyl Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Well the vet is sure it isn't mareks, her odd pupil was dilating as normal. He couldn't find anything obvious wrong so he thinks it is probably just an abnormality she's always had. So maybe in the first few days I only looked at her from one side & didn't notice the other eye! I'm going to take a photo of it every week or so anyway so I can compare them & make sure it doesn't change. Poor Nettle, I had to take her off the nest when it was time for the vet appt. (I did apologise profusely) I was expecting an egg to appear on the vet's table! she managed to hold it in but complained VERY loudly while she was there, & when we got home she shot sooo fast towards the nestbox I couldn't help laughing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Horray If in doubt seek the vet out!! Trouble is I seem to do that too often Glad Nettle's ok She sounds a character....just wait till she goes broody then you'll know you have her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 That's great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 That's fantastic news! And what a good idea, to take a photographic record of her eye for reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
