Advice Needed - Swollen Eye?

[tarahharlin]

Hi-
Just yesterday I noticed my Black Australorp's left eye looked strange. It almost looks as if the eye lid is being pulled up, so more white of the eye is showing. They were free ranging around the yard and we had just cut back a lot of grasses and shrubs, so I'm hoping it's as simple as a scratch and not anything more serious or respiratory related. She's acting normal otherwise and is eating, drinking and just laid an egg yesterday. There are no signs of any respiratory issues and no pus or eye bubbles. She just turned 5 yrs old on Sunday. I have attached several photos and the first one is her eye normally and the rest are as of yesterday with the change.

Have you ever seen this before, or have any idea what this means? I would love any sort of advice, or insight. Also, I did rinse her eye twice yesterday with Vetericyn eye wash.

 

[tarahharlin]

Here’s her eye this morning. It’s starting to look like that may be swelling. I’m so worried about it being Mycoplasma. Do you think I should go ahead and treat for that?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would watch it. I looked at your pictures earlier, and although I am not a vet or an expert, I wondered if there was something pushing her eye down or an eye muscle issue doing that. Is her nictatating membrane (third eyelid) visible? I would watch for eye bubbles, foam, pus or more swelling. Rarely, chickens can get tumors in the face. Something like that could push the eye downward. Of course a respiratory infection is more common. Are you sure, that she hasn’t always looked like that? Here is a little reading about the nictitating membrane and it’s purpose:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-anatomy-nictitating-membrane/

 

[tarahharlin]

I would watch it. I looked at your pictures earlier, and although I am not a vet or an expert, I wondered if there was something pushing her eye down or an eye muscle issue doing that. Is her nictatating membrane (third eyelid) visible? I would watch for eye bubbles, foam, pus or more swelling. Rarely, chickens can get tumors in the face. Something like that could push the eye downward. Of course a respiratory infection is more common. Are you sure, that she hasn’t always looked like that? Here is a little reading about the nictitating membrane and it’s purpose:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-anatomy-nictitating-membrane/

I agree that it does look like something is pushing down on her eye. A few years ago, this eye slightly changed how it looked compared to the other, but nothing ever became of it and here we are several years later. However, her eye now is definitely different than it normally is. I do have some Terramycin ointment at home...do you think I should try that? Her third eyelid does look visible. Here’s another photo...

Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

The Terramycin won’t hurt. It looks more bulgy in the latest picture. Does she have any signs of a respiratory nature, such as sneeze or rattles when she breathes? Does she seem to see well out of the eye, or does she turn her head toward food with the other eye?

 

[tarahharlin]

The Terramycin won’t hurt. It looks more bulgy in the latest picture. Does she have any signs of a respiratory nature, such as sneeze or rattles when she breathes? Does she seem to see well out of the eye, or does she turn her head toward food with the other eye?

No rattles, or sneezing, however I have noticed that when I’m in a quiet room with her and she makes her “goose” sounds and chatters to me, I can hear an ever so faint whistle. I have to actually put my ear close to hear it, so it’s extremely faint, but it’s there and only when she makes a particular sound. Not sure if that means anything? As far as her sight with that eye, I haven’t noticed, so I’ll check that when I get home from work.

 

[tarahharlin]

I lifted her eyelid to check around her eye a little better and I did notice that the upper white part of her eye looked a little irritated and red. I would almost think if it were a scratch, or something that it would make her eye squinty, or closed.

I also paid attention to her while free ranging the yard and it did appear that she was favoring her good eye. Other than all of this, she’s seems to be acting normal and spent the evening roaming around the yard. I guess I’ll just keep an eye on it and continue rinsing and applying the ointment in hopes it all clears. Thanks for all your feedback! @Eggcessive