Swollen eye on hen

Good evening BYC....
I have a hen with a swollen eye for about a week now. I originally thought she was pecked in the eye because she was holding it shut and it wasn't swollen yet. A day after I noticed it becoming swollen. I have gentimycin opth drops on hand so I called my vet and he said those were ok to use. So I started using those, but her eye is still puffy.

Soooooo I thought she might have an upper respiratory. No other signs of an upper respiratory, but her eye was not improving. I started her on baytril liquid 10% four days ago. Her eye isn't worse, but not improving. Tonight I noticed that her pupil in her eye doesn't dilate/contract. I wonder if that's being caused by the swelling or the eye drops

She still eating/drinking/laying. No discharge from eyes or nose. I feel bad since she is just the sweetest hen. Anybody have any ideas?? Or something else I can be doing for her??

Thank you BYC!!

Anybody?

Eye swelling is usually caused from Infectious Coryza and Fowl Pox, however you said the bird is not showing any other symptoms, which makes me think it may be eye worms. Is there watery bubbles on the eye? If so I would try Vet RX and follow the instructions. It is an all natural remedy so even if it doesn't work, it still won't hurt your bird. Good luck!

JensChickies said:

Anybody?

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It's not a respiratory disease nor fowl pox, you'd know it if it were, and it's not eyeworm as you can see them in the eye. I agree with you, she was most likely pecked in or around the eye, I've had it happen. I recommend continuing with the gentimycin eye drops. It would help if you posted a pic of her eye, it might require puncturing to release built up fluid, similar to water on the knee.

Is the pupil equal to the other pupil, or larger or smaller? Does it react to light (get smaller) if you shine a light into it? I agree with Dawg that it would be good to post a picture. I don't know a lot about chicken's eyes, but when a cataract forms, the pupil will not react (get smaller) to light. Cataracts can form for many reasons, infection being one. In Mareks disease there can be changes in the eyes where one pupil may be constricted. I was looking up dosage for gentamycin eye drops, and they are to be given every 4 hours, and can be increased if not helping, so maybe increasing to frequency might help. Below are 2 eyes showing Mareks in different ways. Here are a couple of good links to read (be patient downloading the second one--it is slow-w-w):
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps031
http://www.joneshamiltonag.com/jh/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/PLT_Poultry-Eye-Disorders.pdf

Eggcessive said:

Is the pupil equal to the other pupil, or larger or smaller?  Does it react to light (get smaller) if you shine a light into it? I agree with Dawg that it would be good to post a picture.  I don't know a lot about chicken's eyes, but when a cataract forms, the pupil will not react (get smaller) to light. Cataracts can form for many reasons, infection being one.  In Mareks disease there can be changes in the eyes where one pupil may be constricted.  I was looking up dosage for gentamycin eye drops, and they are to be given every 4 hours, and can be increased if not helping, so maybe increasing to frequency might help. Below are 2 eyes showing Mareks in different ways.  Here are a couple of good links to read (be patient downloading the second one--it is slow-w-w):
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps031
http://www.joneshamiltonag.com/jh/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/PLT_Poultry-Eye-Disorders.pdf

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Her pupil is dilated, just in that eye only. The other one works normal. I am at work so I will have my husband send me a picture of her eye. It's not terribly swollen, but it's not going down. Today is her last dose of baytril...I have given it for 5 days. Should I keep going with the baytril to 7 days?? Her dose is 20mg/kg. I will up her drops more see if that helps.

Dawg...with your experience how long did the swelling last for??

myfinefeatheredfriends said:

Eye swelling is usually caused from Infectious Coryza and Fowl Pox, however you said the bird is not showing any other symptoms, which makes me think it may be eye worms. Is there watery bubbles on the eye? If so I would try Vet RX and follow the instructions. It is an all natural remedy so even if it doesn't work, it still won't hurt your bird. Good luck!

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Thank you. No bubbles or discharge.

Can you post a picture of it?

-Kathy

Hey Kathy! I am having the husband send a picture, but it's taking longer than expected. I knew I should of taken one last night, but she was already in the coop for the night. I just called to remind him.

casportpony said:

Can you post a picture of it?

-Kathy

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Lol...lighting a not too good, but I will take what I can.