Blind chicken - I need help thinking this through

[Erinnlyn]

I don't know if he's permanently blind or not. He was suddenly looking around bewildered one afternoon. I quickly realized he was holding one eye nearly closed, and the other one I could see was dilated (I see now, they're both dilated and they don't respond to light.) He has been to 2 vets. Last one was an avian vet. The vet's best guess was he suffered some sort of head trauma. I don't know how....no blood, no scratches, no swelling ,or anything external! How my animals manage to hurt themselves is just beyond me at times!! So, it's been one week. I'm hand feeding him moistened chick food formed into balls, and some BSFL. He absolutely can not get his aim right for food. He's 6-12 inches off target. He sees some things at a distance. Near vision is gone for him. The weird thing is, he drinks on his own. I moved his small, blue bucket that he's used to into the basement with him, and he goes to it whenever he wants and drinks. Has anybody experienced anything like this before? Did your chicken get better? I updated the vet today and he said continue antibiotic eye drops for 7 more days. How long could he go with dilated eyes, before I should accept that they are never going back to normal? I do not want to give up on him. He is very much a great rooster! He is a 6-year-old true Ameraucana. Thanks for any info/advice you may be able to give me.

 

[azygous]

Blindness can be from a number of causes. Some can be temporary, others chronic and progressive, and some end up being permanent. Causes include bacterial infection, tumors in the brain, and vitamin deficiency.

While finishing the drops, also give him a vitamin E capsule daily with a little egg or a sliver off of a tablet of selenium. If this is a vitamin E deficiency causing neurological issues, he should start showing improvement within a week. Warning, this is a remote possibility and may not work, but harmless to try.

Chickens do not focus their vision in tandem as we do. Each eye is independent. The right eye focuses on food and water and navigating their way up to a roosting perch. The left eye is focused on distance to detect predators and the location of their flock members.

If the right eye is totally blind, he will have trouble locating food. I had a hen who had this problem. She got by just fine as long as I kept her food in the same location. The sound of the others at the feeder helped her locate it. I made a point of including a water bowl under the nipples on the waterer so she had a large "target" when drinking. Her problem was a tumor and it came a time when the tumor caused severe torticolis and she had to be euthanized. But she got on very well for around six years with her blindness.

 

[Erinnlyn]

Blindness can be from a number of causes. Some can be temporary, others chronic and progressive, and some end up being permanent. Causes include bacterial infection, tumors in the brain, and vitamin deficiency.

While finishing the drops, also give him a vitamin E capsule daily with a little egg or a sliver off of a tablet of selenium. If this is a vitamin E deficiency causing neurological issues, he should start showing improvement within a week. Warning, this is a remote possibility and may not work, but harmless to try.

Chickens do not focus their vision in tandem as we do. Each eye is independent. The right eye focuses on food and water and navigating their way up to a roosting perch. The left eye is focused on distance to detect predators and the location of their flock members.

If the right eye is totally blind, he will have trouble locating food. I had a hen who had this problem. She got by just fine as long as I kept her food in the same location. The sound of the others at the feeder helped her locate it. I made a point of including a water bowl under the nipples on the waterer so she had a large "target" when drinking. Her problem was a tumor and it came a time when the tumor caused severe torticolis and she had to be euthanized. But she got on very well for around six years with her blindness.

Thank you! I do have supplements for a horse for neurological issues, including vitamin E, trace minerals, and others called Spine & Nerve and Nerve Boost. I will look at the ingredients and concentration to determine safety for him, but thank you for the idea!...also for the food and water ideas. It was his right eye that was all squinty. It has opened up more the last couple days, but still both dilated. I thought MAYBE I saw a little more iris this morning so... I hope not a tumor. Sounds like your girl did great for quite some time. That is amazing! I'm sorry you ultimately lost her. It is never easy. Thanks again.

 

[azygous]

The horse supplement should work. I hope this long shot pays off. Gotta try.

My hen was a month shy of age 14 when her end came, so I'd say she got her money's worth.

 

[Erinnlyn]

The horse supplement should work. I hope this long shot pays off. Gotta try.

My hen was a month shy of age 14 when her end came, so I'd say she got her money's worth.

Oh wow, 14. That is quite an old age for a chicken! I think that's the oldest I've heard of, but I've only been into chickens for a couple years.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post a picture of each eye? Is there any cloudiness or haze in the iris?

 

[Erinnlyn]

Can you post a picture of each eye? Is there any cloudiness or haze in the iris?

Nope. His eyes are as clear as can be. I don't have a very good picture. This was in the first moments I realized he had a problem. He's still outside in the photo, and I hadn't picked him up yet because I didn't want him to stress out. It's only of the left eye that was open at the time. I'll try to get more this evening.

 

[Erinnlyn]

Blindness can be from a number of causes. Some can be temporary, others chronic and progressive, and some end up being permanent. Causes include bacterial infection, tumors in the brain, and vitamin deficiency.

While finishing the drops, also give him a vitamin E capsule daily with a little egg or a sliver off of a tablet of selenium. If this is a vitamin E deficiency causing neurological issues, he should start showing improvement within a week. Warning, this is a remote possibility and may not work, but harmless to try.

Chickens do not focus their vision in tandem as we do. Each eye is independent. The right eye focuses on food and water and navigating their way up to a roosting perch. The left eye is focused on distance to detect predators and the location of their flock members.

If the right eye is totally blind, he will have trouble locating food. I had a hen who had this problem. She got by just fine as long as I kept her food in the same location. The sound of the others at the feeder helped her locate it. I made a point of including a water bowl under the nipples on the waterer so she had a large "target" when drinking. Her problem was a tumor and it came a time when the tumor caused severe torticolis and she had to be euthanized. But she got on very well for around six years with her blindness.

The horse supplement should work. I hope this long shot pays off. Gotta try.

My hen was a month shy of age 14 when her end came, so I'd say she got her money's worth.

Update:

It seemed like he was better at grabbing the food I was hand feeding him Thursday night! When I put him back, he started hitting his food in his bowl - not perfect aim, but he's getting it! I think I'm seeing a little more iris in his eye ( a little less dilated)!! Yay Reuben!! Dr said to continue his eye drops for a few more days.