Bicknells Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Hello, We are new to Omlet but would like to ask if anyone can help with our chicken Mary who has a poorly eye. She is a lovely Maran and lays beautiful brown eggs which we are currently discarding because we are applying Fusidic acid eye lotion twice a day (given by the vet). We have been doing this for a week now and bathing her eye in saline solution but there is no improvement. The vet said she had conjunctivitis, the red skin around her eye is very swollen and the eye itself is partially concealed by what I guess is the inflamed inner lid. Mary is happy in every other respect, eating well, scratching around and not at all withdrawn or unhappy. I would post a photo but can't seem to see how to. We are a bit reluctant to spend another fifty pounds going to the vet again! Especially as in the last two months we have been to the vet with two of the other chickens several times, one which has subsequently died of an unspecified illness, possibly an internal hemorrhagic injury, despite feeding her through a tube three times a day for ten days!!! The other one had surgery to remove an impacted crop, and now has sour crop. We seem to have been unlucky!! So now caring for a chicken with a poorly crop and one with a poorly eye and I am expecting my second baby any day now so really pulling my hair out and would be very grateful if anyone has any good suggestions!!! Thank you Ps I just posted this in the general forum...whoops you can tell we are new. I only realised when I saw that there were no other chicken posts there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 So sorry you are going through this and esp with a baby on the way! I have not had this myself as swollen eye for me meant mycoplasma and Tylan from the vet due to respiratory infection but as yours is healthy otherwise it does seem to discount that. Someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to advise better. Good luck with the new arrival too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Oh you poor thing' so much going on at once. Does she have any other symptoms. She could have Mycoplasma, which is as far as I can tell like chicken flu. It does need antibiotics though. Which would mean another visit to the vets I'm afraid. Have you got her indoors? There will be lots of posts on here about myco, just enter it in the search box.there will be photos too. BTW you can't post photos until you've posted a few more times. Then I've found the best way is to use Photobucket. Good luck I've also read that Tylan means egg withdrawal forever, so you should ask for a different antibiotic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Just a thought, and I might get slammed for this. We used to use Golden eye ointment when our horses got sore eyes. I've used it on my dogs too. Might be worth a try, just don't tell the pharmacist its for a chicken .Also salt water can be an irritant, I would try plain boiled water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I Don't much about this just to say welcome to our forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thank you for your quick replies...it's nice to know there are people I can chat to as I really want her to get better!! She has no other symptoms, is laying and happy in all other respects, so I don't think its Myco..plus the vet said it was only conjunctivitis. However the ointment he has given us clearly isn't working. I guess it only treats some bacteria and not others. We ordered some golden eye online a few days ago funnily enough and just waiting for it to arrive. I did attempt to get both eye ointment and thrush medicine ( for the other poorly chick with sour crop) from the chemist but they take one look at my big pregnant tummy and refuse me everything, even though I said it wasn't for me!! Will stop using the saline solution and just try the boiled water. Have just ordered some copper sulphate to try to treat the sour crop too in the other chicken. I might end up having a c-section on Thursday so only have a few days to try to sort my chickens out!!! Why do these things always happen at once!! :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Do let us know how you get on. With everything. If you lived near to me I would help you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thanks Chickabee, I will do!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Sounds like chaos at the moment Bicknells. My advice would be to find another vet, because it doesn't sound as though your current one has much experience of chickens? I can't comment on the eye problem I'm afraid. We have only had one similar and it turned out to be a piece of grass seed behind the eyelid which was flushed out under anaesthetic. She was fine after that. Clearly the vet's treatment isn't working so something else needs to be tried. It may be the treatment is making it worse? The crop impaction, removed under surgery and now sour means the obstruction is further down the digestive system. The crop needs to be drained to remove the sour contents and she needs to get only water. Is she pooing something and if so what? An X-ray would be helpful, because she may have swallowed a solid object which is stuck, in which case it means PTS unfortunately? There could however be a multitude of reasons and they are difficult and very time consuming to treat. Possible if she is pooing something solid, even just a small bit, but otherwise not. Wishing you well for Thursday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I agree about the vets Beantree, but there has to come a time when you think, is it really worth spending all this money. Especially when the outcome doesn't sound very good. My nearest chicken savvy vet charges £45 for a consult. It's outrageous, which is why I gather as much info for myself. Also why I learned how to cull properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 The vets are very experienced with chicks but I guess its a difficult call whether to keep going back to them at 50 quid a pop which was why I have turned to this forum in hope!! The sour crop I am managing quite well. I have emptied her crop a few times and then feed her on probiotic yoghurt mixed with garlic and layers mash. She is a happy chick and pooing well etc so I think its more a question of restoring the natural balance in her crop after the surgery. She tended to a slight pendulous crop after the surgery and i think this has been partly the cause of the sour crop (ie its not emptying very well). I have restricted her diet as described above over the last week and she seems much better thanks. She is back in with the other chicks today and I am restricting them all to layers and not letting them free range. When the copper sulphate arrives I may well treat her with that too. Fingers crossed I have one less patient to care for! Now its just Mary with the dodgy eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 This is Mary's poorly eye. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 So the vet reckoned this was conjunctivitis. We have treated her for a week with fusidic acid with no improvement. She is fine in all other respects, she is eating, pooping and laying. She has no other apparent symptoms. Has anyone seen anything like this before please?? :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Hi still not able to see a picture. Sorry. If I dont get back back to you re hen, good luck on Thursday! Do plz let us all know whether you have a little girl or boy We do love Omlet babies Take care, every best wish. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Thank you! Its a little girl apparently but will definitely know on thursday!! The picture has appeared ok at my end so I'm not sure if I have done something wrong or not...!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 No picture here But put your feet up and have a last blissfull night or two before your little girl (maybe) arrives. Is she your first Oh I remember so well.................. Photos plz if thats not too much of an imposition. We do love Omlet aunties Look after yourself. Ax Edited to say " can anyone else see photo? Is it just me?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I'm afraid I can't see photo either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Just trying this...chick with poorly eye.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 The baby girl will be my second little girl and my hubbies fourth!!! Poor man is surrounded by girls and a load of chickens to boot!! Hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 As I said before, you need to see another vet. That hen is in a terrible condition and the treatment obviously isn't working. I personally would PTS immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Thanks. Her overall condition is good. Agreed her eye isnt great. However I couldnt put a chick to sleep if she is healthy in every other respect. Thank you for your opinion though. Has anyone seen this before and can offer some advice or suggestions please?!? :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hi, poor you! You really do have a lot on your plate at the moment and you are still looking after your hens the best you possibly can, well done! I have had Myco in a previous flock I had a few years ago and it looks very like this to me although I am no expert. I think she needs an immediate course of antibiotics and I have found the best treatment are some giant pink pills that my vet gave me. I am really sorry I can't remember the name and they are not for chickens they are for dogs so the condition has to be bad for a vet to prescribe them but they work amazingly with a couple of days massive improvements are achieved. I too would not have a bird pts unless they were suffering with no chance of recovery and you don't know this about your girl yet. I would get her back to the vets today though and try and insist that they give you some antibiotics. Could I ask where you are based, someone may be able to recommend another good chicken vet in the area that may not charge as much as your current one. I hope your other chook with the crop problem is improving too, I swear by live yoghurt with a tiny tiny amount of Apple cider vinegar added, always did the trick when my old ex batt had the same problem. I would empty her crop and syringe a small amount of the mixture in and it always worked for me. I am sure others will have differing opinions but I can only advise what worked for me. Wishing you the very best of luck with your girls and your upcoming baby. It is very clear you love your chickens and want the best for them. Take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 It looks like it could ulcerative to me, is it discharging? it could be a grass seed or the like embedded in there. I think what beantree was saying is if the treatment isn't working she looks as if she would be in a lot of pain then to dispatch her would be the kindest thing to do as i'm sure you don't want her suffering. I would maybe seek a 2nd opinion from a chicken savvy vet, there is a list on the club tab but put a very short time limit on improvement, maybe a few days if you don't see an improvement in that time then at the risk of sounding harsh I would think about saying goodbye The problem is, although she may seem happy, hens hide illness/pain very well as they are flock animals and you will not usually know how bad she is until she is a deaths door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Resembles a Mycoplasma eye, Google it. Looks very uncomfortable. You need a chicken savvy vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicknells Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Thank you all for your helpful comments i will take her back to the vets. She is a lovely chicken and you are absolutely right Loumabel...we love our chicks, they are like family pets and follow us round the garden clucking at us. I would hate to think Mary is suffering but i'm with them all the time and she seems very happy and laying beautiful eggs every day so I am not inclined to give up on her yet! The other chick with sour crop is much improved, really just by keeping a close eye on her diet and limiting her to the yoghurt and mash and garlic and a few daily massages. This is the third morning her crop is now empty!! She is a beautiful blue cochin with the most wonderful temperament and my little three year old loves her to bits. She is a fine broody too and we are hoping to pop some eggs under her this spring if she is fit and well!! Will report back with both baby progress and chick progress! Thanks a million again for your help it is much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
