4 week old duckling with eye problems

[KathyM4]

I have a duckling that we hatched about a month ago that is having eye problems.
It started with a white/yellowish thick musus type drainage. I just noticed it yesterday. The uck got so bad today his eyes were plastered shut. When I take a warm rag to them to get them open tons of clear drainage and yellowish mucus comes out once I get them opened.

His eyes are no longer bright shiny black. They are a dull gray color. When they aren't plastered shut by all the mucus he refuses to open them unless absolutely necessary. He just keeps them shut and follows our other duckling around listening for her chirps.

Any idea what it might be or how I could treat it?

Thanks!

Kathy

 

[Smartie_Pants]

You can wash them out with saline solution, and use an antibiotic creme. I always wind up getting it from the vet for kittens, but I'm sure its safe to use on all animals because its made to treat the eyes. I'd double check just to be sure though.

 

[lilchick]

His eyes are cloudy because they are infected. Use antibiotic ointment in them and keep wiping out the gunk. The ointment can be bought at the Vets...
In a pinch I have used over the counter ointment like triple antibiotic for cuts.Make sure it has no pain reliever in it like anything that ends in caine...
I know some may question this but it is better than letting him go blind! good luck!

 

[KathyM4]

Thank you for the help.

When you say put the ointment in the eye....you mean actually IN it, open the eye lids and put it right on his eyes?

Do you suppose it is anything that would be contagious to my other duckling or my adult ducks and geese? They all share a kiddie pool at times for splashing in. Could they possibly get the infection through the water?

Thanks again.

Kathy

 

[Sweetfolly]

I had a Mallard duckling with an eye infection as well - I discussed it with my vet and she advised me to treat it with Terramycin Opthlamic Ointment - it's a antibiotic ointment specifically for eyes, it can be used on just about any animal, and it's the consistency of runny vaseline that you squeeze directly into the eye. A little bit of it goes a long way, and it wiped out my ducklings infection in about 2 days.

You can buy Terramycin from a vet, but it's cheaper to get it from your local farm store (I'm in Wisconsin, and get it from Farm & Fleet, but Tractor Supply Co. also carries it - it'll cost about $14, but the stuff is worth it's weight in gold) or you can order it on amazon.com.

Good Luck!