Goldie Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hi all - Found one of my girls this morning with her head under her wing in the run, thought it was a bit odd that she didn't come to say hello, and on closer inspection one of her eyes is poorly It is slightly inflamed, with a clear discharge (with few bubbles in the corner), and she is holding it half/fully closed. Might be her third eyelid as I can see it is more pronounced, but not red. Not sure if she has been pecked/scratched, but a quick google mentions the beginnings of respiratory infections? Nothing else the matter with her, she has laid this morning and happy to eat grass, slightly distancing herself from the others and perhaps not as lively as she usually is. Any ideas if I should bathe it (and what with??)? Could it spread to the others, does she need quarantining? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Bathe it with either cooled, boiled water or black cold tea. Give it 24 hours to clear up but if it doesn't clear or looks worse then get her to the vet for antibiotic ointment/drops. Might just be a bit of grit or a grass seed, which will irrigate out with bathing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Thanks, I used to use cooled tea bags for rabbit's eyes, I'll try it on her. Definitely the third eyelid which is enlarged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Irrigate it well with plenty of fluid (definitely a 2-man job!) and it might just help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 She held it closed while I wiped over it and squeezed the tea out of the cool teabag. But managed to dislodge a gammy feather stuck to it, and she had a scratch at it and is holding it more open now. Still more red than it should be, and the third eyelid is protruding. Used to use Golden eye ointment and Brolene for the rabbits too...would this be any good for her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 That sounds positive. I'd give it 24hours of bathing it. I have used Brolene on both chickens and dogs before, but if it hasn't cleared, then please do take her to the vet for antibiotics as you don't want her to lose an eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Thank you The Dogmother, no definitely not, nor it spread to the others. Unfortunately it's a definite 1 man job here which has just proved tricky! Don't want to stress her and stop her recovering. If anyone else has ever had any eye issues I'd love to hear what you used/how it progressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 9 times out of 10, it's just something in their eye and bathing will sort it out, but on the odd occasion it is an infection, which needs vet attention. I kneel down and back the hen in between my knees to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted August 4, 2013 Author Share Posted August 4, 2013 Just an Update to this thread - Henny is still suffering with her eye poor girl. Even after some antibiotic ointment, it has turned into a large white (almost growth) in the corner of her eye. Could this be an eye worm??? She is still isolating herself and although eating small bits (and now hating me for all the treatments!) is still laying and feeling ok. However she is rubbing and scratching at her eye, and holding it closed unless absolutely necessary. Where do I go from here?? Thanks, Goldie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 Has she been to the vet? If so, and it's not cleared up, then I'd take her back, and ask to see a more chicken-savvy vet if you think this one isn't up to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 Well I had a bit of a investigation yesterday and tried to wipe the white 'worm'(?) out of her eye yesterday. I managed to break it up into 2 parts, with little effort. Today there is no white visible, and she is holding the eye more open. Not sure if this is because I gave it a rub yesterday or because the antibiotics is working. She is still rubbing it but feeling brighter in herself. As I say the eye looks much better than yesterday. Will see if it continues to get better - fingers crossed! P.s. how do you know if a vet is chicken-savvy? I think they have a bit of a 'give it a go' attitude, and mainly treat everything with a blanket approach of antibiotics/anti-inflammatories, without even looking the ailment up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted August 8, 2013 Author Share Posted August 8, 2013 Final update to this thread - her eye is completely better and can't even tell which one was poorly! Very happy hen Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 That's great news Goldie, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
